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Paid Advertorial: Utah Court Watch
Issues Facing 4th District Court
Utah's 4th District Court, which serves Wasatch, Juab, Millard and Utah counties, is the fastest-growing judicial district in Utah and is struggling with increasing caseloads and mounting pressures from citizens to be more aggressive in bringing violent criminals to justice. See overview of current issues below, including court staffing, prosecution aggressiveness, defense attorneys, and law enforcement efforts.
Legislators: Complete Your Profile
We have published a number of profiles of state legislators, but not all of them. Now that the session is over, we have revised the survey slightly because not all of the original questions are still relevant. Any lawmaker who would like to complete a profile should e-mail us at daily@utahpolicy.com and we’ll send the new survey. We would like to publish profiles of any legislators who have not yet been featured.
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.
USTAR Update Archive |
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News Highlights
2006 Legislature comes to an end, but a special session may be necessary to take up some unresolved issues -- most notably, the flat-tax bill, which stalled late Wednesday night (Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake Tribune, and Associated Press).
Senate unanimously approves hate crimes bill (Tribune, Daily Herald, and Morning News).
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano offer their views on immigration reform in an op-ed (Tribune).
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Paid
For by Jana Truman For Davis County Commission
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Quote of the Day
“It's all quite sickening.”
-- Columnist Holly Mullen’s naïve and simplistic view of the Legislature (Tribune). |
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Thursday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates |
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All Quiet at the Capitol
There are plenty of bleary-eyed state legislators, staff, lobbyists, and various hangers-on this morning. You have our permission to take the day off to recover.
This was one of the more interesting legislative sessions in many years. Having a lot of money to spend will do that to you. The struggles between the House, Senate and governor were monumental. In the end, with an exception or two, the state’s work was accomplished.
No one was entirely satisfied, and the lawmakers will likely be back in special session to cut and reform income taxes. The LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund ought also to be put on the agenda. But otherwise Utah’s 104 lawmakers got the critical work done. They balanced the budget. They cut some taxes. They gave public education a significant funding boost. They looked to the future, providing record amounts for transportation infrastructure and seeking to ensure a strong on-going economy by funding the USTAR economic development initiative.
Check out all the legislative news legislative coverage by clicking on the news links at the right.
CPPA Looks at Water Policy
The latest edition of the Center for Public Policy & Administration's Policy Perspectives eNewsletter focuses on Utah water policy, with articles on the Colorado River, the Bear River Project, groundwater management. To read it, click here.
Blog Watch
After much suspense, Planet Legislature unveils the winners of this year's Golden LaVar Awards... The Senate Site blog has several notes from the last hours of the legislative session... OneUtah has a post about Sen. Scott McCoy and the Utah Legislature's attitude toward homosexuality... The Utah Amicus posts a Ph.D.'s thoughts on public education... The World, According to Me says Craig Axford is preparing to run against Rep. Rob Bishop... Democracy for Utah has a post about grassroots political involvement... Paul Rolly reports: Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill will formally announce Friday at noon that he is a candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney"... Dee's 'Dotes has a post on HB181... MSNBC's Tucker Carlson: "Twenty years from now, polygamy will be legal in the United States. How do I know this? Because there's no longer a good argument against it. Gay marriage has made polygamy inevitable" (see also here)... Mike Huckabee President 2008 notes Utah Conservative's Huckabee endorsement... Pandagon says incest is a Utah family value.
Media Watch
Interesting Chuck Todd National Journal column on how cable news drives public perceptions. Another National Journal article discusses new trends in political advertising (members only).
Washington Watch
Matheson Supports Airline Help
Rep. Jim Matheson urges his colleagues to support legislation "that provides relief for airlines and hope for [airline] employees worried about the security of their retirement" (see press release).
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Paid Advertorial: Utah Court Watch
(Paid for by Utah Court Watch. Names and contact information of leaders are published at the Utah Court Watch web site) |
Issues Facing 4th District Court
Utah's 4th District Court, which serves Wasatch, Juab, Millard and Utah counties, is the fastest-growing judicial district in Utah and is struggling with increasing caseloads and mounting pressures from citizens to be more aggressive in bringing violent criminals to justice. For the next eight weeks, Utah Court Watch will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the 4th District Court. Today we provide an overview of current issues surrounding the 4th District Court justice system including court staffing, prosecution aggressiveness, defense attorneys, and law enforcement efforts.
There is a public perception that the 4th district court should do more to join local law enforcement officers in fighting violent crime such as homicides, assaults, sex and drug offenses, forgery, arson, and robbery, and misdemeanors in certain circumstances. Some think that understaffing is the problem. In January, legislators approved a bill (SB 159) sponsored by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, to add an additional district judge for the 4th District Court. This will definitely help the court manage the increase in caseloads and dedicate more resources to a growing community.
Much of the pressure to be more aggressive in felony prosecutions comes from Utah County, the major population base of the 4th district, and jurisdiction of County Attorney Kay Bryson. Most Utah Valley residents view Bryson, a 16-year incumbent, as a career politician with poor leadership skills and mounting personal problems that hinder his ability to be an effective District Attorney. This year voters will have a chance to decide whether 16 years of increasing plea bargains and personal problems are enough to replace Bryson. Jeff Buhman, an aggressive deputy prosecutor with a squeaky-clean 'boy scout' reputation, will be the only formidable opponent Bryson has faced since taking office 16 years ago.
The 4th district has a reputation of having some of the best defense attorneys in Utah. Many of the best defense attorneys in the district are former prosecuting attorneys from the Utah County Attorney's Office, which has 5-year turnover rate of almost 75%. This is good news for criminals, but not for the average Utah County resident who wants the best attorney prosecuting, rather than defending violent criminals.
Law enforcement personnel in the 4th District are well trained and committed to keeping families safe from violent criminals. They consistently do more with less, outperforming other districts that are better funded. As population growth brings an increase in violent crime, law enforcement officers are faced with new and unusual felony police work and related investigations, which require close relationships with the District Attorney. In recent years, detectives, deputies and police officers in Utah County have become increasing critical of the neglect and lack of communication from the County Attorney's office - which may affect the outcome of criminal investigations.
In the coming weeks, Utah Court Watch will take a closer look at the 4th district Court and all of the critical elements that shape the justice system that affects more than 500,000 Utahans. Utah Court Watch's goal is to monitor and evaluate Utah's criminal justice system from the public's point of view. Utah Court Watch is dedicated to supporting victims of violent crime and families of homicide victims, including the advancement of victims' rights. Please visit us online at www.utahcourtwatch.org. |
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Thursday
March 2, 2006
National Headlines
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt says the lethal avian flu that is spreading rapidly around the world could soon infect wild birds and domesticated flocks in the U.S. (Reuters).
Article looks at the impact of violent video games on children, noting that violent games laws have been "proposed or considered in Kansas, Utah, Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Washington, Illinois, California, Germany, and recently, the U.S. Senate" (IGN).
Analysts: Most Western states' economies will slow a bit in 2006 and 2007 but continue to outperform the national economy (Business Journal of Phoenix).
Centerville resident Steven Singley profiled in article on how new computer technology is helping the disabled find productive work (New York Times).
Local Headlines
Deseret Morning News
- 2006 Legislature: Finished — for now
- State surplus turns into fight over divvying up the budget
- Math petition circulating
- State urged to scrap its law against polygamy
- Yucca fight could bring work to PFS
- Family resolution divides Kanab
- Lack of civility mars session
- USTAR may be a costly victory for higher ed
- Science ed bill sees defeat
- Hate-crimes bill is approved
- Winners and losers
- Key education bills
- Disability lawsuit tossed
- 3 get-tough measures on immigration fall short
- Immigration bills that didn't survive the 2006 Legislature
- Public right to records unscathed
- Ethics reform slams into a big brick wall
- Government Records Access and Management Act
- Schools get 6% funding hike
- Highlights of this year's funding for education
- Vetoed environmental measure dead
- Penalties boosted for identity theft, sex abuse, other crimes
- Lawmakers OK bill that could bring toll roads to Utah
- 2006 legislation on transportation
- Was Medicaid the top loser?
- Legislators back strong parental rights
- Municipalities flex their muscles
- 2006 Legislature on crime and criminals
- Measures that have an impact on local government in state
- Photo: Yea or nay
- Photo: Long final hours
- Photo: A nay vote for SB70
- Photo: Down to the wire
- Business conditions strong in Utah and U.S.
City Weekly
- Less than Equal: Battling bias with all they've got, Equality Utah takes on the Utah Legislature
- Gentrify or Bust: West-side revitalization takes more than plopping down nifty apartments
- Revenue Redux: When considering a flat-tax proposal, legislators might want to look to ... Estonia
St. George Spectrum
- Matheson takes part in hearing on port security
- Panel defines workforce housing terms
- Water off agenda at Cedar Council meeting
- Op-ed: Latter-day Saints support of war misguided
- Editorial: Vouchers offer options
Standard-Examiner
- Down to the wire: Special session likely as lawmakers struggle over taxes
- Abortion notice bill passes Legislature
- Toll roads bill gets green light
- Editorial: Defending science
Logan Herald Journal
- Statehouse go-fors
Daily Herald
- EPA: Yucca radiation standards to be completed by year's end
- Final anti-smoking bill clears Senate, House
- Amended hate crimes bill moves to governor
- Gay clubs bill dies before debate
- Western Primary gets approval
- Editorial: A narrow brush with faith
Park Record
- Rep. David Ure drops hints about Commission bid
- Evolution legislation scuttled
- Hate-crimes bill nears a victory in the Senate
- Senators must weigh in on UOP hotel
- Editorial: The Olympic flame belongs in Utah again -- perhaps 2022
KSL Editorial Board
- Schoolyard bullying
Davis County Clipper
- Hatch: Time to speak up
- Party time! Celebration, open house to mark Legacy commencement ceremony
- Legislature headed for crunch time
- WSU, DATC call session ‘one of the worst'
- Immunity bill raises red flags
- UDOT, Centerville at odds over interchange
- Legacy looms across W. Bountiful's horizon
- Republicans gather to raise funds
- Davis Democrats celebrate Presidents' Day
- McConkie to run for fourth term
- Op-ed: From the left: What is your view of GRAMA changes now that the bills are reaching their final forms?
- Op-ed: From the right: What is your view of GRAMA changes now that the bills are reaching their final forms?
Salt Lake Tribune
- Utah Legislature 2006: To be continued
- Hate crimes law: After 8 years of trying, a compromise sails through
- Lawmakers follow through with cutting grocery tax by 2 percent
- Schools get funding bump
- Real scores on tax to help build stadium
- Polygamy explored at U. meeting
- Long wait for state aid to disabled ruled legal
- Mullen: Sickened by the Legislature? Then vote this year
- West Jordan will pay for bad sewer hookups
- Riverton asks for smokeless parks
- Rocky attacks immigration policies
- Uinta forest to have eco-impact evaluation
- 304,000 acres of forest set for sale
- Law paves the way for private and public alliance
- Photo: Debt Paid
- Photos: Legislators Now - and Future?
- Short Sessions: Legislative briefs
- Legislative Wrapup
- Op-ed: Governors offer Western view of immigration reform
- Editorial: Official bigotry: Kanab's exclusionary action is not mere foolishness
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Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- Mar 2: Midday Metro on KCPW at 10 a.m.: Senate President John Valentine and Speaker of the House Greg Curtis on the just concluded 2006 General Session of the Utah Legislature; plus Scott Schaeffer on the First Annual Utah Winter Business Economics Conference at the U of U's David Eccles School of Business. Event participants include professors from many of the world's top business schools.
- Mar 2: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "2006 Legislative Wrap-Up," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Utah's 2006 Legislative Session ends Wednesday. Thursday on RadioWest, Doug is joined by Senate leaders, journalists and analysts for a look at this year's legislation and what it means for the state.
- Mar 2: Hinckley Forum "Legislative Wrap Up," 12 p.m., with Representative Ralph Becker, House Minority Leader; Speaker Greg Curtis, Speaker of the House; Representative Patricia Jones, President John Valentine, Dr. Dan Jones, President, Dan Jones & Associates (moderator).
- Mar 2: Governor Huntsman Legacy Announcement, 2 p.m., Davis County Fair Park, 151 S 1100 W, Farmington.
- Mar 2: Legacy Parkway Open House, 4 to 8 p.m., Davis County Fairgrounds, building No. 2, 151 S 1100 W. The general public is invited.
- Mar 2: Fundraiser for Pete Ashdown, Democratic candidate for US Senate, hosted by Ceri Jones and Amy D'Amico, 5 p.m, Alta Club, 100 East South Temple Salt Lake City. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 2: Salt Lake Friends Meeting (Quakers) Witness for Peace, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Federal Building Plaza, 125 S State Street, Salt Lake City. For more information visit the Utah Activist Calendar.
- Mar 2: Gov. Huntsman to give welcoming remarks at J.P. Morgan Chase Reception, 6 p.m., Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley.
- Mar 2: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. Davis County Courthouse, County Commission Chambers room, 28 E State Street, Farmington. All Davis Democrats are urged to attend. The general public is also invited.
- Mar 2: Meet the Candidate Night with District Attorney Candidate Kent Morgan, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 7981 Tennyson Circle, Sandy. For questions call 801- 244-4619.
- Mar 3: Closing the Achievement Gap for Hispanic Youth Presentation for community leaders concerned about Hispanic youth, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Lamb's, 169 S Main. Presentation by Barbara Lovejoy. For more information contact Barbara Lovejoy at 801-466-1117 or bclovejoy@msn.com.
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- See the entire calendar
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