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 The Week Ahead
The Legislature is trying its best to take December off to rest up for the 45-day marathon opening Jan. 16. Only the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee is meeting this week, Tuesday at 9 a.m. See agenda. Meanwhile, plenty of other political events are scheduled this week (see calendar), including Gov. Jon Huntsman unveiling his budget to the news media Friday at noon.
Cut Taxes By $325 Million?
The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its December newsletter, which notes that total tax cuts coming out of the Tax Reform Task Force could total more than $325 million. The newsletter also includes a piece by Sen. Howard Stephenson titled "Disruptive Technologies in a Flat World." He predicts that public education will be “disrupted” by new and better ways of delivering education.
School Choice Won’t Go Away
Rep. Brad Dee is going to tackle the school choice issue in the upcoming legislative session, according to an article in the Morning News. Rep. Stuart Adams is also considering legislation. Good for them. It’s only a matter of time before a modest, reasonable voucher or tuition tax credit program is passed by the Legislature. And, surprise, it won’t hurt public schools; it will help them. And it will save money, helping avert an education funding crisis.
Blog Watch
The Utah Assoc. of Counties blog posts its November legislative recap... At the Senate Site blog, Sen. John Valentine posts some thoughts on his meeting with Mexican Ambassador Carlos de Icaza and Consul Salvador Jiminez... Democracy for Utah posts sixth, seventh steps of eight from pamphlet, "Ways to Become Involved with the Utah Democratic Party"... SLCSpin's all over the Eagle Mountain 'below average black population' controversy, with roundup of outraged responses from all over the Net (see also here)... Weber County Forum updates its Ogden rec center groundbreaking post... Paul Rolly reports that Taylorsville mayor Janice Auger is being urged to run for the Salt Lake County Council against Democrat Jim Bradley next year... Oblogatory Anecdotes doesn't like atheist group's suit to remove Highway Patrol memorials (see also here, here, and here)... Delaware Watch still stickin' it to Sen. Orrin Hatch over his Iraq/Vietnam flub... Charley Foster relays this nugget from recent Hinckley Institute panel on Gov. Mitt Romney's '08 presidential chances: "'If it's about values, then Romney wins, but if it's about garments, then he loses"... Dee's 'Dotes responds to Trib article on Utah's poor.
Washington Watch
Sen. Bob Bennett complains that the media won't give the GOP credit for the strong economy (Hearst Newspapers).
National Politics
Excellent National Journal cover story on the fiscal impacts of the graying of America.
Political Entertainment
Ben Stein, the politically conservative columnist/actor/comedian/game show host, will be speaking Kingsbury Hall tonight at 7:30 p.m. For more info, see calendar item at right.
Energy Watch
The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is launching a free e-bulletin to announce new developments in EERE's programs and research. According to the press release, "[t]he Progress Alerts are designed to make efficiency and renewable energy advocates, lawmakers, consumers and the media aware of breakthroughs and efforts as they happen. Subscribers will receive information on all EERE programs including renewable energy such as solar, geothermal, wind, hydropower, biomass and hydrogen along with vehicle technologies, buildings and industrial technologies and energy efficiency." For more info or to subscribe, go here.
Parting Shots
The Male Disappearing Act
Here's a fascinating Washington Post article on how little boys are being overmedicated, young boys are failing in elementary school, adolescent males are dropping out of high school, and adult males are disappearing from college campuses across the country.
Presidential Riddle
John Harwood of the Wall Street Journal quotes American Enterprise Institute economist John Makin asking this riddle: “Why is the dollar like a Republican president? Because the dollar faces incessant predictions of imminent collapse, but in the end it wins out over weaker alternatives.”
James Taranto’s Headliners
(From www.opinionjournal.com)
Talk About Academic Bias!: "UCLA's Big Problem: How to Stop Bush"—AP, Dec. 1
It’s Surprising Iran Would Offer Them: "Israel Will Not Accept Iran Nuclear Weapons: Sharon"--AP, Dec. 1
Kim Jong II Dresses for Success: "N. Korea Ready to Scrap Nuclear Plans for Better Ties: Envoy"-- Reuters, Dec. 2
Say What?: "Two Charged in Cutting Off Man's Ears Waive Hearing"--Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal (second item), Dec. 2
They’re Tired of Bending over Backward: "Theologians Ask Pope to Suspend Limbo"--Reuters, Nov. 30
Persuade It That It’s a Cat, and It’ll Sleep on Its Own: "Deer That Thinks It's a Dog to Be Put to Sleep"--AP, Dec. 2
What Would We Do Without Experts?: "Experts See Frigid Days Ahead: Chilling predictions offered for December"-- Day (New London, Conn.), Dec. 1
You Don’t Say: "Sunburns Less Common During Winter"-- Arizona Republic, Dec. 1 |
