Today's political briefing: Key developments
and analysis for Utah policymakers
Subscribe
or Unsubscribe
|
|
Message Center
(Announcements, Advertisements, Advertorials, and Sponsored Articles.) |
Standard-Examiner Endorses USTAR
Excerpts from: Priming the Pump
Monday, January 23, 2006
While the Legislature, currently in session, is debating how to spend -- or, as some want, to refund -- a record surplus of revenues approaching $1 billion, there are reasons to worry about the future of Utah's economic health. As we noted in Sunday's editorial, the state's average wages have steadily, relentlessly declined, as compared to the national average, from 96 percent in 1981 to 82 percent today. Furthermore, the state's number of technology jobs has slipped from 2000's high of 67,000 to 56,000 more recently.
Those are the kinds of factors leading to Utah's growing number of two-earner households -- parents forced to work, instead of by choice -- and the fact that Utah leads the nation in per capita bankruptcies.
Utah's business leaders wear grave expressions when they speak of these figures, and what they could mean for the state's future. They understand what it means for the strength and long-term health of Utah's economy if the numbers of high-paying jobs continue to lag behind as our population surge persists.
To help reverse these ominous trends, a coalition of business leaders is backing the Utah Science, Technology and Research Economic Development Initiative, or USTAR. The plan, also endorsed by Gov. Huntsman and many lawmakers, aims to construct $250 million worth of research facilities -- two each at the University of Utah and Utah State University.
Additionally, USTAR would allocate $125 million to lure teams of researchers, together with their federal grants, to USU or the U. to begin work that would result in products and companies that would grow businesses in the Beehive State and create high-paying jobs and tax revenue over time. The impact of 35 years, they estimate, could include 422 new businesses with 123,000 employees earning $81,000 a year.
Exactly how those future jobs and earnings were estimated remains a little vague, but it would stand to reason that a magnified version of the state's current efforts at the two universities' research parks -- 120 companies created since the 1970s -- would yield strong results.
The State Board of Regents is now hoping to funnel about $5 million to Weber State and the four other innovation center-less communities. If Weber gets its million dollars, it may try to lure aerospace faculty to help complement and, indeed, spur more economic research and development among the Top of Utah's existing aerospace industries.
That doesn't detract from USTAR's value. We support its creation, but with the following reservations:
- What will be the state's equity position in the companies and products that emerge from taxpayers' investment in USTAR? The state, if it is to invest so substantially, must share in ownership and profits going forward.
- And companies born here -- again, by way of taxpayer subsidy -- should be discouraged from fleeing the state. If Utah is to benefit from the companies and jobs created by way of USTAR, they'll need to continue doing business here.
The stakes of this game are plain to see: Utah is in an economic dogfight with our neighbors. Arizona has invested $650 million in a similar project. Colorado's total investment is $4 billion-plus. California is spending $4 billion on stem-cell research alone.
If Utah is to regain its innovative footing and produce high-paying jobs, USTAR is absolutely necessary -- as long as it's done in a way that protects our investment.
Wednesday is Transportation Watch
Check out Transportation Watch each Wednesday in UPD. The section will also provide links to transportation news stories and other information. We welcome your ideas, comments and criticism at daily@utahpolicy.com.
Casual Friday
If you missed Golden Webb’s memo to environmentalists and trendy outdoors people last Friday, check it out here (scroll down). Be forewarned: He offends pretty much everyone in his terribly non-politically correct spoof.
Reach Utah’s Policymakers
If you need to deliver a message, get the buzz going, or build your organization’s visibility, consider an advertisement, sponsorship, or advocacy essay in Utah Policy Daily. You will reach several thousand Utah opinion leaders and policymakers, including most legislators. For more info, call or e-mail Mark Towner at 801.502.9134, mark@utahpolicy.com. |
|
|
News Highlights
State financial advisers: Large sales tax cuts could undermine the state's credit rating, jeopardizing everything from city redevelopment projects to light rail (Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald and Deseret Morning News).
Construction on the Legacy Highway likely to begin in March (Deseret Morning News, Standard-Examiner, and Tribune).
Morning News editorial argues that lawmakers should pass stricter ethical guidelines.
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
"The 17th Amendment was a huge mistake. … It has led to disastrous results — a runaway federal government, budget-busting spending like a drunken sailor, a terrible erosion of states' rights."
-- Sen. Howard Stephenson, the sponsor of a bill that would put selection of party candidates for the U.S. Senate in the hands of the Legislature (Morning News).
|
|
|
|
Tuesday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates |
|
|
Marty Stephens Comments on GRAMA
We haven’t heard a lot from former House speaker and gubernatorial candidate Marty Stephens lately on the political front. But as the original author of the GRAMA legislation, he has published an op-ed in the Standard-Examiner opposing major changes in the law.
LWV Legislative Reports
The League of Women Voters is producing daily legislative reports. You can read them at the League legislative Web site.
Blog Watch
The Senate Site blog warns of an "incoming torpedo" involving Utah's sales tax structure (see also here)... Rep. Steve Urquhart has a post on GRAMA... Midday Metro recaps the on-air showdown between Sen. Howard Stephenson and TRUE's Jim McConkie... Reach Upward has a post on lobbying and corruption... Planet Legislature says Rep. LaVar Christensen is trying rename Hill Air Force Base after Ronald Reagan... Utah Conservative has a post on Mitt Romney's Mormonism... At Utah Politics, Phil Windley says: "If I had my way, the alma maters of every Senator who votes for SB96, Sen. Chris [Buttars' bill] on the origins of life, would revoke their degrees" (see also here and here)... Paul Rolly says Milton Witt's candidacy for the Legislature "is an attempt by the party's right wing to take out a moderate, pro-public education Republican legislator in favor of a candidate more inclined to favor vouchers for private and home schools"... Jen's Green Journal has a long post on S.B. 70 (see also here).
Use Surplus for School Funding
(Guest essay submitted by Neil Fockel, president of the Utah American Federation of Teachers and a Granite District educator and school counselor for the past 28 years.)
Discussions have begun concerning how best to deal with our current budget surplus of an estimated 1 billion dollars -- what a wonderful dilemma. One of the best ways to arrive at a solution to the surplus question is to review the ways in which we have handled our past budget deficits.
Initial estimates of revenue shortfalls for the state of Utah, 2002, were 250 million dollars. From 2002 to the present, the following cuts have been made in the Granite School District: Elementary media teachers eliminated, drivers education program reduced, elementary music program reduced, textbook funding reduced, class size increased in 02, and 03, health insurance benefits reduced in 02, 04, and 05, central office staff reduced in 02, 03, 05, 06, all employee groups reduced by 4% in 2003, tax increases in 04, 06. These cuts and adjustments were made because of a shortfall of 24.7 million dollars.
This list only begins to scratch the surface and is a familiar story to school districts throughout the state. Jordan District eliminated their police force to save $800,000 and has had to raise taxes almost every year.
In 2003, Utah’s ten public colleges and universities had a total reduction of more than $48.5 million. They eliminated 106 faculty positions, 111 staff positions and 760 sections of course offerings. That figure jumps to $91 million if you include un-funded enrollment growth. One of our state universities currently has an $8 million shortfall because of increased utility costs. All public schools and state programs face the same increased utility and gasoline costs.
State employees have sustained many program cuts since 2002 and now face the elimination of some pension benefits. State pensions were fully funded prior to 2002 and are currently funded at 93%. Most state employees, including teachers, received little or no pay increase during this time period. When you factor in the increased cost of health insurance, compensation for state employees has been going backwards for four years.
I understand that the mantra of some of our legislators is “Tax Cuts, Tax Cuts, Tax Cuts.” Many of these same leaders claim the moral high ground in this state. However, part of that moral high ground is stewardship, which includes protecting the welfare of students in the Utah Public Education System. When I first started teaching, 28 years ago, there were counselors, P.E. and music specialists in all elementary schools. They have been gone since the early 1980s. It seems that once a program has been cut in this state, it never comes back. Why? Because we believe the voices that say money won’t fix the problem.
During lean economic times, we all understand that we have to tighten our belts and make sacrifices, but during times of prosperity the belt stays tight and all sacrifices have been forgotten. Time after time the state legislature has made promises to the educational community that it would take care of us when the economy improved. Dear Legislator, the economy has improved. I urge our governor and all our state legislators to come together and do what is right for its citizens. Let’s stop our collective memory loss and begin to repair the damage caused by years of budget cuts. |
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday
January 24, 2006
|
Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- Jan 24: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Jan 24: Chamber Board Of Governors, 7:30 a.m., Chamber, Eccles Board Room.
- Jan 24: KCPW 88.3 FM Utah League of Women Voters daily legislative update, 7:40 a.m.
- Jan 24: AARP Advocacy Volunteer Meeting, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., room W130, Utah State Capitol.
- Jan 24: Midday Metro on KCPW 88.3 FM at 10 a.m.: Capitol Hill report from Julie Rose; Sen. Tom Hatch (R-Panguitch) talks about the Lake Powell Pipeline Act; Errin Neyrey of the Utah Rivers Council talks about water legislation; College Democrats and Republicans from the University of Utah debate issues before the Utah Legislature; and BYU Professor of Integrative Biology Michael Whiting talks about the Tree of Life project.
- Jan 24: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum, 10:45 a.m., Hinckley Caucus Room (OSH 255), University of Utah. "The Odd Couple: Bush and Blair. A perspective on their improbable relationship and the future of U.S. and U.K. relations. Guest Alec Russell, author of two books and currently the Daily Telegraph’s Washington Bureau Chief.
- Jan 24: Chamber Legislative Affairs Committee, 12 p.m., Beehive Room, East Capitol.
- Jan 24: Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak to the American Council of Engineers, 6 p.m., The State Room at the Capitol.
- Jan 25: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Jan 25: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum, 10 a.m., Hinckley Caucus Room (OSH 255), University of Utah. Issues before the 2006 Legislature, College Republicans vs. College Democrats.
- Jan 25: Women's State Legislative Council Meeting, 11:45 a.m., State Office Bldg at the Capital. Business and Labor will give an overview of the Economic Development Issues by Mike Sullivan. The Education Committee will present "Tuition Tax Credits" Speakers: Kim Burningham, President of the National School Boards Association and Brad Dee, Rep. Dist. #11, Davis-Weber Counties. Delegate members are invited and visitors are welcome to attend. Visitors may call for a guest pass to Kitty Kaplan at 801-942-5133.
- Jan 26: Last day to request bills (by noon).
- Jan 26: Last day to approve bills for numbering (by noon).
- Jan 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 a.m., Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, 3977 Wasatch Blvd., Holladay.
- Jan 26: Ogden Mayor Mathew Godfrey hosting call-in show, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tune in either on Channel 17 or WSU's student radio station, KWCR, 88.1. The Mayor will take questions "from the people of Ogden about what is happening in our city now, future plans, and projects the city is planning." The phone number is 801-629-8411.
- Jan 27: Utah Association of Counties "County Officials Day at the Legislature," State Capitol Complex. For more information, click here.
- Jan 27: Lt. Gov. Herbert to address the Utah Association of Counties, 9:30 a.m., The Auditorium in the State Office Building.
- Jan 27: House Retirement and Independent Entities Committee, 12:45 p.m., room W135, West O.
- Jan 27: Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee, 12:45 p.m., room W135, West O.
- Jan 27: The Salt Lake County Lincoln Club first 2006 meeting with Chris Cannon, Rob Bishop and LaVar Christensen, 7 p.m., at the home of Steve Harmsen. For more information contact Duane Millard at duane@alliedawning.com.
- Jan 28: Democrats of Southern Utah Planning and Issues Conference, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa Clara Library, 1099 N Lava Flow Dr. The program will consist of presentations by each of the Committee Chairs and open discussion of new ideas from the membership and questions and answers on existing programs.
- Jan 28: Pleasant Grove R/UDAT Community Input Meeting, 11 a.m., Pleasant Grove Junior High. R/UDAT is a grassroots approach, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, to help create more livable communities. For more information, see website.
- Jan 28: Washington County Democratic Party Precinct Organization, 1 to 3 p.m., Santa Clara Library, 1099 N Lava Flow Dr. All Democrats are encouraged to attend and prepare for the 2006 election campaign. The DNC representative will present campaign strategies, voter statistics for Washington County, and identify precinct success potential.
- Jan 28: Utah Rally for Peace presents free special screening of "Painful Deceptions, an Analysis of the September 11th Attacks", by Eric Hufschmid at 2:15 to 5 p.m., Salt Lake City Main Library 4th floor meeting room at 210 E. 400 S. Hufschmid is the author of the photo expose "Painful Questions" which was published on the first anniversary of the 911 attacks, and one of the early leaders in the 911 Truth Movement.
- Jan 28: Lt. Gov. Herbert to address the Utah Association of Counties, 6 p.m., The Auditorium in the State Office Building.
- Jan 28: Uintah County Lincoln Day Dinner, 6 pm, Vernal Elks Lodge. Must have advance ticket. Contact Bill Johnson at 435-828-5687 for more information.
- Jan 30: State Chamber Government Affairs, 12 to 2 p.m., 4112 State Office Bldg.
- Jan 30: Intermountain Region Office of the National Park Service Open House, 4 to 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Sprague Branch Library, 2131 S 1100 E. The Salt Lake City open house will provide information about how the public can comment on the draft policies. Comments will be reviewed and incorporated in a final policy document. The draft management policies are also available for review and comment online through February 18, 2006 at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/waso.
- Jan 30: Pleasant Grove R/UDAT Team Presentation, 7 p.m., Pleasant Grove Junior High. R/UDAT is a grassroots approach, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, to help create more livable communities. For more information, see R/UDAT website.
|
| - See the entire calendar |
|
