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Budget Debate Gets Very Real Today
The legislative budget debate gets serious today as Gov. Jon Huntsman unveils his budget proposals at noon. There is lots of interesting news media coverage in headline links at right, especially over the level of tax cuts. Once legislators have a chance to assess the state’s needs in their appropriations subcommittees over several weeks, the tax cut enthusiasm may wane a bit.
My position is that a modest tax cut may be in order, but citizens would rather put surplus revenue in infrastructure and economic development investments, rather than a big tax cut. Legislators can wisely use the money without building it into base budgets and increasing the size of government.
Washington Watch
PFS Suffers Setback
Sen. Orrin Hatch wins agreement from Southern Company to drop out of Private Fuel Storage (PFS) and cease its support for building N-waste site at Skull Valley; Hatch also secures commitment from Xcel Energy, the majority-stockholder in PFS, to place moratorium on its funding for PFS (see press release, and also this Las Vegas Sun story).
Ranchers Want Horse Meat Help
Utah ranchers ask Hatch for help fighting horse meat law they say will hurt their industry (Knight Ridder News).
Singing Star Performs Hatch Music
Carly Simon performs Hatch's song, "Are You Lonely Here With Me," at concert (Free Lance-Star).
Matheson Picks Academy Nominees
Rep. Jim Matheson announces names of 13 men, one woman from Utah's 2nd Congressional District selected as nominees to the United States Service Academies (see press release); praises funding provided in military appropriations bill for construction of new veterans nursing homes (see press release).
Cannon Wins Land Transfer
Rep. Chris Cannon applauds passage of bill that transfers federal ownership of Minersville S.P. to Beaver County (see press release).
Lobbyist Back With Law Firm
Attorney and government relations professional Chet Loftis is back at the law firm of Kirton & McConkie after spending five years at both Legislative Research and the Utah Medical Association. On the legislative front, Loftis hopes to represent clients of the firm and assist other lobbyists with bill drafting issues. He also plans on staying involved in administrative rules and hopes to help associations and businesses shape the law through the firm's expertise in amicus or "friend of the court" briefs. Loftis will also be doing a lot of work for physicians and clinics.
Michelle McOmber will be taking over the lead on government relations issues for the UMA. Michelle spent 14 years at Utah Hospital Association and has hit the ground running. Expect to see a lot more of Val Bateman, UMA executive vice president, on the Hill, too.
Blog Watch
KCPW Radio launches a blog, the Midday Metro, "to allow listeners to suggest topics or guests, or leave feedback on the [Midday Metro radio] show," said news director Bryan Schott ... The Park Record Blog solicits feedback on Park City traffic issues... At the Senate Site blog, Sen. John Valentine explains why "[p]assing HB 213 was one of those sobering instances where the responsible decision was not the most popular"... Rep. Steve Urquhart responds to Bob Bernick's article on Gov. Huntsman's forecasted budget proposal... Charley Foster analyzes the American Atheist's highway crosses suit (see also here, here, and here)... New West has a post on the wilderness debate ... Wilf Sommerkorn has a post on Kennecott Land Co.'s west bench plan... SLCSpin relays rumor that Nancy Workman's decided to run for Salt Lake County Clerk... Paul Rolly reports that Utah tobacco lobbyists are using Mayor Rocky Anderson as a bogey to solicit support from Utah politicians.
Read Mayor’s Drug Speech
The S.L. City Mayor's Office website has posted a pdf file of the speech Rocky Anderson delivered at the Drug Policy Alliance Conference in Long Beach, California in November, in which he criticizes America's War on Drugs.
Casual Friday
Keep Cows Out of Bean Patch
(From OpinionJournal.com’s James Taranto)
London's Sunday Times . . .reports that "British scientists are fighting climate change by reducing the harmful greenhouse gases produced by flatulent cows." Which makes us wonder if "global warming" was invented by some prankster who wanted to see how many newspapers he could get to publish articles containing the hilarious phrase flatulent cows.
(Hat tip: Blogger Tom Elia.)
What Would Experts Do Without Experts?
"Experts Hire Expert to Help With Nevada Highway Study"-- Pahrump Valley Times, Dec. 7
What Would Passengers Do Without Airport Officials?
"Airport Officials Remind Passengers to Keep Guns at Home"-- WWL-TV Web site (New Orleans), Dec. 8
That's Great News, Dude
"Dog Genome May Also Offer Insight Into His Pal, Man"-- Seattle Times, Dec. 8
If It Were Up to the U.N., We'd All Be in Diapers Until Age 33
"World May Miss Child Development Goals by 30 Yrs: UN"-- Reuters, Dec. 8
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