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Will Huntsman be Aggressive with Budget Priorities?
Tomorrow the 2006 legislative process gets underway as Gov. Huntsman releases his proposed 2006-2007 budget in a press conference. Reporters Bob Bernick and Lisa Riley Roche do a nice job of analyzing some of the major budget issues, especially tax cuts, in a Morning News story. Legislators, the news media, lobbyists, government leaders and employees, and citizens will have a few weeks to chew on the governor’s budget before the session starts on Jan. 16.
The budget is so important to so many people in so many ways that it provides a governor ample opportunity for news coverage of executive branch priorities by highlighting key aspects of the budget in a variety of settings. Former Gov. Mike Leavitt took advantage of the high budget interest by holding a series of press conferences and giving speeches on his key budget initiatives in areas like transportation, education, social services, etc. Legislators didn’t particularly like him doing that, because he aggressively rallied support for his budget priorities and raised expectations for several weeks before lawmakers were even in the game. Then they would come in, throw some cold water on his priorities, and appear like grinches.
It remains to be seen whether Gov. Huntsman will aggressively market and promote his budget priorities to key audiences, or whether he will release it Friday and then operate more quietly behind the scenes.
Washington Watch
Bennett Bill Blowback Hits Hillary
Sen. Hillary Clinton getting flak for supporting Sen. Bob Bennett's anti-flag-burning bill (NewsMax.com, The Journal News, New York Post, and New York Times).
Cannon Loosely Linked to Abramoff
Rep. Chris Cannon tangentially linked through former chief of staff David Safavian to embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff (The Hill).
Schwarzenegger for President?
New book "An Immigrant's Dream" claims to provide "an irrefutable case for the immediate ratification of Senator Orrin Hatch's 'Equal Opportunity To Govern'" bill, which would clear the way for a Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger presidential run (see press release).
Beaver County Acquires Minersville S.P.
Congress approves bill sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Chris Cannon to allow transfer of ownership of Minersville State Park from the state to Beaver County, removing BLM restrictions and allowing the county to make enhancements to parkland (see press release).
Rumsfeld Thanks Utah Guardsman
Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld thanks Utah National Guardsman Paul Holton (otherwise knows as Chief Wiggles) for work being done by Holton's organization, Operation Give (see press release).
Blog Watch
Sen. Lyle Hillyard, the Senate chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee, describes the arcane, but all-important, art of revenue forecasting in a Senate Site post... Paul Rolly reports that S.L. County's lobbyist hiring has ballooned under Mayor Peter Corroon... The Third Avenue says Democrats need to craft a separate agenda for the Rocky Mountain states... Dee's 'Dotes posts roundup of links that offer perspective on the Green Party of Utah schism... Sen. Hillary Clinton pilloried for backing Sen. Bob Bennett's flag amendment here, here, here, here, here, and here... Mad Dog Blog thinks the best man won in Eureka... avocado8 thinks athiest group's highway crosses suit undermines cause of secularists... Spencer Uresk's Technology Blog endorses Pete Ashdown's Senate candidacy... SLCSpin says Gov. Huntsman is now officially the coolest politician in Utah.
Hinckley Caucus Room Renovation
U of U alumni with connections to the Hinckley Institute of Politics can give back by contributing to the first-ever total renovation of the Hinckley Caucus Room. Click here for more info.
Correction
In a news highlight link on Dec. 6 we incorrectly said the ACLU was attempting to remove Highway Patrol memorial crosses. It was American Athiests Inc., not the ACLU, that filed the lawsuit.
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