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The Week Ahead
The Health Care Task Force meets today at 1 p.m. at the Capitol. The Tax Reform Task Force holds four public hearings this week. Go to the Legislative Calendar page and click on the event for meeting notices and agendas. See other political events this week in the calendar on the right-hand column.
Journalism Issues to be Discussed
The Utah Headliner’s Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is inviting public discussion about three topics of high importance to journalists: A shield law protecting reporters’ sources, proposed changes to the Government Records Management Act, and the Utah Open Meetings Act. These topics will all likely be subjects of legislation in the upcoming 2006 legislative session.
The public meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m. at the University of Utah Department of Communication, LNCO 1100, Little Theater. Panelists include: Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff; media attorney Jeff Hunt; and representatives from print and electronic media. Moderator will be BYU journalism professor Joel Campbell. For more information, contact Allison Barlow Hess, SPJ, (801) 646-7499 ahess@weber.edu; or Paul Murphy in the AG’s office, (801) 538-1892; pmurphy@utah.gov.
Blog Watch
National Journal’s Beltway Blogroll says bloggers have a ways to go before they have much real clout in Washington.
BLM to Discuss Energy Corridors
Associated Press reports that federal land managers will meet in SLC Wednesday to “plot routes across the West for billions of dollars worth of future power lines and oil and natural gas pipelines to connect the region's vast energy reserves with consumers in the nation's fastest-growing cities.”
The meetings are part of 11 sessions by federal land managers to discuss energy transmission and distribution corridors, a requirement of the 2005 energy bill. “The meetings will help BLM managers complete a preliminary environmental impact statement by Jan. 30, 2006. The final EIS, due next October, will assess the impacts of expanding existing energy corridors -- and identifying new ones.”
Washington Watch
So. Utah Pueblo Dwellings Receive Federal Grant
Sen. Bob Bennett announced that 10 sites of Pueblo ancestral dwellings in Southern Utah will receive $225,000 to help with preservation. The state’s renowned Alkali Ridge, the site of an ancient Pueblo village near present-day Monticello, is one of the benefactors of the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) program. The Utah landmarks, some dating as far back as 700 A.D., were selected for their fragility and cultural importance. The National Park Service will manage the grant funding the preservation project and the BLM’s Monticello division will seek sponsors for necessary matching funds.
Utah Receives Federal Money
The Senate has passed the Transportation, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which includes Utah community development and transportation projects pushed by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett:
- $1 million in economic development funding for community projects for Provo, Eagle Mountain, and Hyrum
- $9 million for commuter rail
- $4.25 million for statewide bus and bus facilities
- $3 million for Regional Bus and Bus Facilities: Intermodal Terminals, including Gateway TRAX station
- $1 million for a Transit Center at 9400 South in Sandy
- $750,000 for a West Valley City Intermodal Terminal
- $500,000 for Sun-Tran Operations and Maintenance Facility Expansion
- $500,000 for Utah Intermodal Transit Hubs
- $500,000 for a Mid-Jordan Light Rail Transit Line
- $250,000 for a Westminster College Intermodal Transportation Facilities Expansion for Shuttle Buses
- $150,000 for Commuter Rail Hub Planning and Renovation of the Historic Brigham City Train Depot
People You Ought to Know
William Duncan, Sutherland Institute Board of Scholars, and director of the Marriage Law Foundation
Education: Undergraduate and law school at BYU
Growing up: Victorville, California
Family: Wife--Catherine, five children and expecting a sixth
Public policy involvement: Out of law school, I worked at the Marriage Law Project based at the Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C. where our mission was to reaffirm the legal definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Hobbies: family, reading
Motivations/goals: I'd just like to be helpful in the pro-family effort.
Hottest issues on your watch: We only work on one issue--the legal definition of marriage. I can't imagine a more important issue, though.
Proudest moments: My wife and children's accomplishments.
Favorite book: Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace or Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim or Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice or Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (I have a lot)
Favorite mentor: Lynn Wardle, BYU law professor
Democrats Visit Southern Utah
(A report sent by Rob Miller, rmiller@utdemocrats.org ,state Democratic Party vice chair)
One of the advantages of being vice chair of the Utah State Democratic Party is the opportunity to see our leaders at work. Last Wednesday Craig Axford (DNC Party Organizer) and I made a quick road trip through Southern Utah. This trip in many ways revealed that not only do we have pragmatic Democratic leaders in our legislature, but that the Democratic Party is alive and well in Southern Utah. This article is dedicated to those Southern Utah Democrats who are working so diligently to promote our message, to promote a positive image, and build our base.
Our first meeting was at the Pastry Pub in Cedar City. I was very impressed with Iron County Chair Larry Daniel. Larry left his law practice in Texas to have a better life in Cedar City. Larry's understanding of veteran issues was inspiring and right on target. How can our current administration claim to support the troops while it continues to steal away their healthcare benefits, among other things. Larry explained that Utah has the highest percentage of veterans in the United States, hmmm. I want to thank Larry for his hard work and for his dedication to the Party.
The first call we made in St. George was to Colt Smith. Colt is an up and coming Utah Democrat who also ran for state vice chair. Someday soon, I will be calling Colt "Congressman Smith", but until then he will have to settle for "future Congressman Smith". Colt told us about his adventures in Washington D.C. as an intern for Congressman Matheson. He then volunteered to help escort our legislators the next day.
That evening we met with the Democrats of Southern Utah, and Washington County Chair Cyril Noble. Since Cyril was elected he has done everything right. His scheduling (with the help of Rhoda Struhs, administrative assistant for the House Democrats) for the next day was perfect. Meeting with this group is always worthwhile and energizing. Especially since my uncle Don has joined the group. He doesn't let me get away with anything.
After the meeting we ate well at the Painted Pony (locally owned by Democrats and where young Colt works). After dinner Craig and I went to our hotel and watched Chairman Howard Dean on David Letterman. Chairman Dean spoke of his 50-state plan mentioning the staff the DNC is providing for every state party. He even mentioned Utah. I told Craig that he should feel great, Howard Dean had just mentioned Craig on national television (well kind of).
Thursday October 13, 2005 was an historic day. Washington County may have believed that they had no Democrat representation in the legislature, but now it is obvious that they do.
Representatives Ralph Becker, Pat Jones, Roz McGee, Brad King, Ross Romero, and Senator Scott McCoy traveled to St. George so that they could become better educated as to the needs of Southern Utah.
The first meeting started at 9 AM at the Golden Corral Restaurant. The last event was a broadcast interview at 9:40 PM at the local station. Except for an hour for dinner, the entire day was spent listening to the citizens, local government, and educators in the area.
I especially enjoyed our tour of Southern Utah University, and our visit with some of their student body. I also was intrigued with our visit with the county commissioners. Although a bit guarded at first, they seemed to open up to our leaders who again asked about their concerns.
It seemed that everyone enjoyed Superintendent Max Rose from the Washington County School District, and although late for his city council meeting, Mayor Daniel McArthur was lively and courteous. Council members were very complimentary towards our legislators. Pat Jones, who owns a second home in St. George, thanked the Mayor and Council for doing a great job in the planning of the growth of the city.
Overall, the trip was a tribute to the productive leadership that Democrats can provide. Our legislators did not wait for Southern Utah to come looking for them, our legislators took the first step. This example of how to truly be a representative is hopefully just a first step in rebuilding a Utah government that provides Utah with a better balanced representation. We are fortunate to have great examples like Ralph, Pat, Roz, Brad, Ross and Scott, Cyril, Larry and all of our Southern Democrats. All Utahns should take notice. |
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