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Union Targets Matheson
USNewswire.com published an advisory
last night, saying local union leaders of the United Steelworkers (USW) will hold a public demonstration today at 3 p.m. in front of Rep. Jim Matheson’s SLC office “to publicly demonstrate their anger…for his vote to approve the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) as a betrayal of working families.”
People You Ought to Know
Staff Spotlight
Joseph M. Demma
Occupation: Chief of Staff to the finest Lieutenant Governor in the country, Gary R. Herbert.
Education: University of Nevada and Georgetown University
Growing up: I grew up a normal kid in Orlando, Florida -- played wide receiver on the football team and midfielder on our lacrosse team. I also have a black belt in Okinawan GoShuRu Judo and Aikido. An interesting note is that because of some family issues, I was emancipated as a minor when I was 16 and have lived on my own ever since.
Family: Just a single guy waiting for the right time to ask someone why she might be crazy enough to spend the rest of her life with me. I have one sister, three half-sisters and a half-brother who mean more to me than anything.
Why political involvement: Having the right man or woman in elective office has a very tangible effect on everyone's lives, so helping that 'right' person attain elective office is exhilarating and rewarding.
Hobbies: Lacrosse and cooking. I love to cook.
Motivations/ambitions: My motivations are rooted in the fact that my grandparents were immigrants....the battle they faced coming here to enjoy American freedom is not lost on me. As far as my personal secret ambition, I'd love to run a U.S. Senate campaign for Gary R. Herbert
(Not THIS cycle, though :) ).
Hottest issue you're watching: Elections, Transportation, Water (especially the Snake Valley issue) - and essentially, whatever the Lt. Governor tells me to watch...sometimes that means recording his son-in-law's CFL football games!
Proudest moment: Watching Gary Herbert being sworn-in as Utah's sixth Lieutenant Governor.
Most embarrassing moment: Mistaking a "Stake House" for a "Steak House" during a congressional campaign in Las Vegas, NV in 2000.
Favorite book: “John Adams” by David McCullough.
Favorite mentor: Nevada's 3rd District Congressman, Jon Porter...he's like my 2nd father - - he's the finest member of Congress in my personal opinion.
A small insight into my psyche: I don't know how to answer this other than to say that helping Jon Huntsman, Jr. and Gary Herbert be the best team in Utah's gubernatorial history is very important to me. Working for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor is very humbling...I'm just appreciative to be here, as should anyone.
Chamber Forms Energy Committee
The Salt Lake Chamber held a successful Energy Forum on July 27 and is now forming an ongoing Energy Committee. It will meet monthly to address energy issues that affect the business community. Committee members will help form the Chamber's resolutions and focus relating to statewide energy issues. Chamber members who are interested in serving on the committee should contact Robin Riggs, rriggs@saltlakechamber.org, (801) 328-5080.
Another Political Junkie Nomination
(From Rob Miller, state Democratic Party vice chair)
“A political Junkie is someone who eats, sleeps, and dreams politics. A junkie is someone who will lose everything to get their fix. That describes Todd Taylor. Todd gave up his practice as a back cracker (chiropractor) to pursue and satisfy his political fix. When he started his addiction he lost a fortune, just like a crack addict, by giving up his practice, and working for peanuts as Executive Director of the State Democratic Party.
“Even now, Todd is not in it for the prestige (he really doesn't like seeing his name in print), he is in it for the fix. Some might say, for the love of politics, even with the fact that at times politics drives him crazy, yet he cannot help himself. Lucky for the State Party, and all Democrats, he is great at what he does. His addiction is of great benefit to the Democratic Party, and to our state.”
Legislature Watch
(By Gaylen Webb)
PDL Is ‘Mostly Dead’
My sources on the Hill tell me that a preferred drug list (PDL) program for Utah Medicaid patients is “mostly dead.” In fact, despite Rep. Steve Mascaro’s (R-West Jordan) willingness to sponsor a PDL resolution, as reported in Monday’s Tribune, I’m told the general feeling on the Hill is that “one heck of a miracle pill” would be required to rejuvenate interest in a PDL program this year.
No Coalition for ‘Intelligent Design’
Meanwhile, Sen. D. Chris Buttars’ (R-West Jordan) interest in promoting intelligent design is also a “mostly dead” issue on the Hill. I am told that Buttars doesn’t have a coalition of support necessary for an intelligent design initiative to be taken seriously. Nonetheless, Buttars expressed himself well in a post about evolution/intelligent design on USAToday.com.
Reader Response
In response to the Tuesday Now You Know item about Utah being the nation’s most Republican state, Dan Bammes of KUED Radio sent along this missive:
“Does anybody in Utah remember that Lyndon Johnson won this state in 1964, the same year Calvin Rampton beat Ernest Wilkinson? Through much of the 60's and 70's, Democrats held majorities in both houses of the Utah legislature. Nobody remembers Glen Sowards or Moroni Jensen, much less Gunn McKay or Ted Moss.”
Free Money Management Seminars
Zions Bank will be hosting several free lunch seminars this week and next to inform community leaders about the “Super Savers” money management program. Last year Zions introduced the program and had about 1,000 people participate. They paid off an average of $4,900 in debt while adding $1,700 to their savings. For more information on when and where these luncheons will be held check the UPD calendar or contact Don Milne at Zions Bank, (801) 594-8222. |
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