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News Highlights Former Gov. Olene Walker and her husband enjoying their public affairs mission for the LDS Church (Salt Lake Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3346555). Utah received nearly $13.7 billion of the $2.2 trillion pie of direct federal spending for fiscal year 2004 (Deseret Morning News). |
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Quote of the Day “(Sen. Greg) Bell is on the right track with a lower dollar threshold for lobbyist gifts to lawmakers. But why not ban them altogether? Then lawmakers are relieved of any hint of lobbyists buying access to legislators.” -- Morning
News
editorial supporting ethics reform legislation. |
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| Tuesday Buzz Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates |
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Carlton Turns 40 Salt Lake City Council member Carlton Christensen has hit the big 4-0 and the milestone has been noted on his Web site by a friend who put it all together. Said Christensen, “There are some implied jokes from my past life that I was hoping to let go, but they have memorialized them in the presentation.” Check it out, and make sure your computer’s sound is on. Blog Watch Rep. Steve Urquhart has a long post on the achievement gap, in which he compares NCLB to a cross country meet... Evolution in Utah has more http://evolutioninutah.blogspot.com/ on Sen. Chris Buttars' evolution bill... Casserole Bar has a post on Western land use... Wilf Sommerkorn has a post about Utah County and Envision Utah... Politics in Focus takes a look at census numbers that suggest Red States will grow in population and power... The Hopeless Writer says the D-News is little more than a propaganda rag for the Mormon Church... Ken Bingham's looking for job leads... Jen's Green Journal agrees with the national Green Party that Pres. Bush should be impeached... At Utah Politics, Gordon S. Jones calls for the downfall of "piddlers and twiddlers" (see also here)... The Park Record blog solicits responses to this question: "What do you think should be the top priorities in 2006 - for your neighborhood, your town, your county, your country?"... Nuclear is Our Future says this D-News letter to the editor misses the point on N-waste storage.
Why Do You Live in Utah? The Utah Foundation website has posted a new Quick Poll. The question: "What's your most important reason for living in Utah?" The possible answers: "My (or spouse's) good job"; "Pleasant communities"; "Affordable Housing"; "Being near family"; "Outdoor recreation"; or "Religious environment". Head on over and vote. Washington Watch Yoo Once Hatch's General Counsel John Yoo, lawyer who played large role in crafting Pres. Bush's legal approach to war on terror, spent time as Sen. Orrin Hatch's general counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee (New York Times). A Pardon for Jack Johnson? Hatch supporting campaign by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns to get a posthumous presidential pardon for boxer Jack Johnson (The Tyee). Stem-Cell Bill to Ruffle Feathers A Hatch-inspired stem-cell research bill promises to elicit tumult and acrimony in the upcoming session of the Nebraska Legislature (Associated Press). Sutherland Moves Office The Sutherland Institute has moved its office to the Gateway Tower West. Its new address is: 15 West South Temple, Suite 1600 SLC UT 84101-1532 801.355.1272 F: 801.355.1705 Senate Majority Fundraiser The Senate Republican leadership has scheduled a fundraising breakfast on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Sponsorships range from $10,000 to $1,200, and single seats are $150. The event will begin at 7 a.m. at the Grand America Imperial Ballroom, 550 South Main in SLC. For more information or to RSVP, call any member of the Senate GOP leadership or call Ric Cantrell, 673-1603. Tom Tancredo Making Waves Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who is a nemesis of Utah Rep. Chris Cannon nemesis and a right-wing anti-immigration fanatic, is winning some battles in Congress (New York Times). Where are They Now? There is Life After Politics (UPD periodically invites former politicians to provide an update on their current status. Former Utah Sen. Scott Howell provided this report.) Scott Newell Howell, former Utah Senate Minority Leader (1990-2000) has moved on (so to speak). After his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2000, IBM transferred Scott to warm and sunny Sacramento, CA. Politically, Scott has toyed with the idea of resurfacing in his new locale, but a family veto quickly put an end to these notions, favoring instead a husband and dad who can more often “resurface” on the home front. Being in the “minority” politically speaking, must be Scott’s destiny. Thinking to find common allies and like minded friends and neighbors in California, Scott soon learned (after signing the mortgage papers) that Placer County is the most Republican county in the state. So in a brief moment of despair, Scott thought about joining the other side, but quickly came to his senses after watching the news and reading the paper. (You really don’t need a late night comedian to point out the comical situations that come from the White House). Scott is proud to report that he was recently elected as the President (a non-partisan position) of the Homeowners Association. (This may be due to the fact no one showed up to the annual meeting). Scott also enjoys serving the community as a Board Member for The American Diabetes Association, and the Sutter Hospital, and as President of the La Crosse High School Association. Scott and Linda quickly realized that public education in their community was far superior to their children’s Utah education. This was a bitter-sweet discovery because Scott had worked tirelessly during his tenure in the legislature to make Utah’s education system better. As a State Senator, Scott gave a great amount of time and energy to two items in particular: 1) Eliminating sales tax on food; and 2) Expanding Kindergarten to a full day. Governor Huntsman’s recent remarks with regard to Scott being a “man before his time” seem to ring true. Two of Scott and Linda’s four boys reside in Utah, while one son is currently serving an LDS mission in Orlando, FL, and the youngest is a junior at Granite Bay High School. Looking back on his days in the legislature, Scott has nothing but fond memories. “I appreciate the challenges and opportunities afforded to me during this time. I have enormous respect for ALL of those that I served with; and to all of my colleagues who continue to serve: A reminder - Do the right things for the right reasons, at the right time. And, by the way, there is a glorious life after public service. James Taranto’s Headliners (Source: OpinionJournal.com) But
if You're Not Careful, It Can Lead to Creation Sharon
to Bush: Thanks for the Tip! Advertising
Slogans German Companies Should Avoid Not
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Tuesday
December 27, 2005
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| Political Calendar |
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Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com -
Dec 28: Young Democrats Meeting, 6 p.m., State
Party Headquarters, 455 S 300 E, Ste. 301, Salt Lake City. Contact
Remington Johnson at remiyo@hotmail.com
for additional information regarding this meeting or to learn more
about becoming involved with Young Democrats of Utah. |
| - See the entire calendar |
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