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The Week Ahead
The Legislature’s Health Care Task Force continues today at 1:30 p.m. with a focus on charity care (see agenda). House Republicans spend most of Tuesday in caucus, discussing budget priorities and major legislation for the upcoming session. On Wednesday, a joint leadership meeting is scheduled at 10 a.m. followed by Executive Appropriations at 2 p.m.
Provo Race Sets New Record
Utah political races, even municipal contests, are getting expensive. Might as well get used to it. The Morning News’ Tad Walch produced an interesting story noting that Provo Mayor Lewis Billings spent close to $100,000 to get re-elected. A hotly-contested State Senate race will run that much for each candidate, and that’s for a part-time position with a jurisdiction smaller than Provo City. It’s unfortunate that winning an election has to cost so much money. But all the alternatives, such as public financing or limits on spending, are far worse. Overall, Americans spend a whole lot more on soda pop than we do on elections, so maybe the price of democracy isn’t really all that high.
Salt Lake, Rocky Receive Green Award
Mayor Rocky Anderson receives the World Leadership Award on behalf of Salt Lake City in London (see press release).
Washington Watch
New Odd Couple?
Far Left columnist says Sen. Hillary Clinton shouldn't be co-sponsoring bill with Sen. Bob Bennett, "one of the very worst right-wing reactionary folks in Congress" (CounterPunch).
Bennett in Vietnam
Bennett travels to Vietnam for trade talks (ThanhnienNews.com).
Cuban's Anti-Hatch Crusade Continues
In op-ed, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban decries Sen. Orrin Hatch's involvement in the copyright law debate (Star-Telegram); op-ed response in same paper says Cuban doesn't give Hatch enough credit, and Cuban is pandering to (and funding) Hatch's political foes in Utah (Star-Telegram).
Matheson's Pay Raise Stand Praised
Editorial credits Rep. Jim Matheson for fighting annual congressional pay raise (The Birmingham News).
Blog Watch
Part of the Plan blog says Utahns' lack of support for looser liquor laws is misguided... Senate candidate Pete Ashdown says "word of mouth" will put him over the top (see also here)... Utahania notices more warts on Eagle Mountain's hide... The Senate Site blog has a post on Gov. Huntsman's budget proposal, including a statement from Sen. Lyle Hillyard (see also here)... Rep. Steve Urquhart provides a pdf link to the Gov.'s budget recommendations... Charley Foster responds to a Washington Times "Special Report" on polygamy featuring Utah attorney Brian Barnard... Wilf Sommerkorn has a post on the Centerville Wal-Mart battle... SLCSpin says Nancy Workman's possible comeback is good news -- for Democrats... Weber County Forum marshalls WSU student research against Ogden gondola plan... March Together For Life urges support for Sen. Orrin Hatch's stem cell research bill.
Monday Grumble
As if there weren’t enough ways to separate a fool from his money, new technology makes it possible not just to bet on the outcomes of sports events, but to gamble on every play of a game. The Wall Street Journal published a story Dec. 9 noting that the gaming industry is about to make a big leap forward(?) by allowing gamblers to bet on whether a football team will make a first down, whether a field goal attempt will be successful, whether a golfer will make a putt, and who will hit the next three-pointer.
Nevada’s gambling lounges will feature touch-screen kiosks, in addition to the big-screen TVs and electronic boards flashing point spreads. The kiosks will allow gamblers to bet real-time on nearly everything that happens in a game. In fact, in what the WSJ called “a surreal twist,” a firm called Progressive Gaming International wants to allow spectators to wager on televised poker tournaments. Gamblers betting on another gambler’s next move.
Before long, such gambling opportunities are expected to move to the Internet, opening play-by-play sports betting to the world. Isn’t technology wonderful.
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