|
National Politics
Charlie Cook analyzes the chances of the Democrats making big gains in the House in the 2006 election in his Tuesday Off to the Races column for National Journal. . . . See also National Journal report on Washington insiders grading GOP and Demo congressional leaders.
Washington Watch
Frontline Dems Keep Raising Money
The Hill reports that the House Democrats’ Frontline program, which raises money for the caucus’s 10 most vulnerable incumbents (including Rep. Jim Matheson), is keeping pace with Republican fundraising.
Hatch Willing to Wait for Stem Cell Vote
Sen. Orrin Hatch says he can live with a 2006 vote on the Senate’s stem cell bill, “but it's important to have a date certain," reports the Associated Press. The Senate may delay the vote because its calendar is too full.
Water Fights
John Suthers, Colorado’s attorney general, says in a newspaper report that he foresees the possibility of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming uniting against California, Nevada and Arizona [over water rights] within the next 10 years.
Media Watch
Radio Lineup
Today on the Doug Wright Show, Doug will talk to Bobby Ghosh, TIME Magazine Senior Baghdad Correspondent about the Saddam Hussein trial. He will also speak with Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton about drilling for oil in ANWR, and Ed McMahon will talk about his new book "Here's Johnny." The Doug Wright show airs form 9 to Noon on KSL NEWSRADIO 102.7 FM and 1160 AM. . . . Congratulations to KSL Radio and the KSL.com Web site for picking up some coveted Edward R. Murrow awards. See story.
Blog Watch
National blogger "Kwabina" of the Edgar A. Guest Forum sent Rep. Rob Bishop an email asking him what he intended to do to bust some pork. Not only did Bishop respond, but he responded via a personal phone call. According to Kwabina, Bishop "said that he and some other conservative congressmen put forth a budget that was much leaner than the one eventually adopted by the Republican House (read: it's not my fault), and much, much leaner than the one proposed by the democrats. He estimates that about 100 reps are fiscally conservative, and about 150 he would call liberal, while the rest are moderates (wolves in sheep's clothing).
"He also said that he and his compadres are proposing legislation that would reduce the budget by over 4 trillion over the next 4 years (my cell phone was breaking up here, I'm not sure about the exact numbers, so I used 4. Apparently, phone calls from congressmen are a lot like pictures of nessie and bigfoot: fuzzy).
"While he didn't commit to any specific cuts, I don't necessarily believe those politicians who have. Someone should create a ranking of porkbusting reps based on their voting records; let them know that they have until November to prove themselves where it counts."
Green liberal blog: If you like liberal politics, check out Jen's Green Journal, which covers local and national issues related to “Green Party politics, activism, issues of peace and justice, feminism, gay rights and racial equality, and the environment.” Another Green blogger is Deanna Taylor, who writes at Dee's 'Dotes.
Last Chance for Survey
Thanks again to those who have taken our survey telling us how you read Utah Policy Daily. It will help us make decisions as we improve this publication. We’ll take it down at day’s end, so if you haven’t voted yet, click here. It takes just a few seconds.
Whining for Bucks
Remember that I’ll be groveling for dollars with Lara Jones on KCPW (1010AM 88.3FM 105.3FM) today from 10 to 11 a.m. We’ll be talking politics and inviting listeners to support public radio. Lara said KCPW asks all of its volunteer co-pitchers to invite family, friends, enemies, etc., to call in or go online (you can click through at UtahPolicy.com) and pledge some moola.
Since everyone who reads Utah Policy Daily is my friend (well, at least one or two of you), I expect some big results. And just in case you happen to think I’m an idiot, please call in and for a hundred bucks I’ll let you yell at me. If KCPW gets at least 300 on-line pledges, the station wins a $5,000 challenge grant from Overstock.com. Check out all the cool stuff you can get with your pledge at http://www.kcpw.org./pledge.php.
Utah's Nuclear Option
(Randy Peterson, a computer programmer from Bountiful, submitted the following information on the problem and promise of nuclear energy. He has studied the nuclear industry extensively.)
THE DARK SIDE – THE PROBLEM
Utah faces a long-term financial crisis.
1) Most 2004 gubernatorial candidates recognized this problem.
2) Utah must do more to attract industry.
3) Utah demographics create obligations no other state has.
4) Utah must do what no other state is willing to do.
5) Utah must diversify and attract viable industries not likely to leave.
6) As important as smart government is, it alone will not save Utah.
6) Fossil fuel extraction could provide a big cyclical benefit until it collapses, leaving a huge environmental impact and an economic depression.
Utah may be forced to accept nuclear waste with no compensation.
1) Any nuclear waste fight gives Utah a bad name.
2) A long, bitter legal battle to fight nuclear waste will be expensive and futile.
3) Utah has little political power compared to larger states.
4) Our politicians will waste their political capital fighting nuclear waste, denying Utah important rights and benefits in other areas.
5) The nuclear power industry spends one billion dollars a year storing nuclear waste;
THE LIGHT SIDE – THE SOLUTION: LONG-TERM RECYCLING WITH TEMPORARY STORAGE, AND A HUGE ECONOMIC BOOST FOR UTAH
The first concern is safety. Nuclear energy and waste are now subject to the most stringent safety controls and redundant backup safety systems. We've come a long way since post-WWII atomic testing. Just as aviation has become exceptionally safe in spite of the hazards, so has the nuclear industry. All opposition to nuclear energy and recycling is based on superstition, hysteria, and politics.
Charge high taxes to temporarily accept nuclear waste.
1) The nuclear industry could spend billions to send it to Utah.
2) Utah can negotiate to receive generous compensation to accept high-level nuclear waste.
3) A huge financial boon to Utah state finances.
4) Time to stop stonewalling and start negotiating for advantage.
5) Every year of storage for every cask can bring in revenue.
6) Industry and the federal government will willingly pay high fees to solve their problems.
7) Utah can avoid ruinous litigation.
Embrace Recycling and Reprocessing
1) A mega financial boon to Utah.
2) Recycling will bring in billions of dollars of investment.
3) At least 95 percent of all high-level radioactive waste is recyclable.
4) At least 95 percent of all radioactive material will eventually be shipped out.
5) Recycled waste can generate clean electricity and reduce uranium mining.
6) Nuclear reprocessing requires a huge investment and can generate a large number of well-paying engineering, construction, and operations jobs.
7) Advancing technology will require continuous new investment.
8) The Bush administration has endorsed nuclear reprocessing.
9) Nuclear reprocessing is a long-term industry.
Put it away from populated areas and military training ranges
1) The Wasatch Front and St George are already too crowded.
2) Less political opposition to place nuclear facilities away from population centers.
3) Remote small towns need and want employment opportunities.
4) Possible locations: Green River, Blanding, Fillmore, Beaver, Roosevelt.
5) Enhanced safety to locate away from HAFB gunnery ranges.
6) Wilderness areas, parks, and monuments will always be protected.
Security
1) Olympic events, airports, nuclear facilities, etc require security enhancements and preparedness that make us all safer in the long run.
Economic growth
1) Enhanced revenues from nuclear facilities will allow tax reductions and infrastructure improvements to further attract other industry.
2) Nuclear activities in Nevada and Washington state never hurt their economies.
Radioactive material in Utah
1) Over the decades Utah has shipped out tons of mined radioactive material.
2) Nuclear recycling and continued uranium mining will ultimately result in less radioactive material in Utah.
Clean energy
1) Eventually replace all fossil-fuel power plants in Utah with nuclear energy.
2) Clear the air in the west.
3) Even coal-fired plants put more radiation into the environment than nuclear plants.
4) Fossil fuel extraction will have thousands of times more impact.
Utah's highly educated population
1) Needs the opportunities a high-tech industry provides.
2) Can understand the nuclear industry and
3) not be unduly concerned by anti-nuclear hysteria, superstition, and politics.
Wise Words
"To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals—that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him." — Honore De Balzac
(Source: The Federalist Patriot) |
Utah Policy Daily
is a service