News Highlights

Private Fuel Storage chairman John Parkyn says the consortium of utilities is moving forward with its plans for a high-level nuclear waste disposal site in Skull Valley -- and he doesn't think opponents can stop it (Deseret Morning News).

The Utah Transit Authority unveils the name and design of its upcoming commuter rail system (Morning News, Standard-Examiner, and Salt Lake Tribune).

Utah Senate will be missing prominent women senators Patrice Arent and Karen Hale (Tribune and Morning News).

Paid For by Jana Truman For Davis County Commission

Quote of the Day

"Steve and I live together during the session so we don't have any choice but to be unified. I can set his alarm clock back or something."

-- Rep. Brad Last, speaking as he and Reps. Steve Urquhart and David Clark filed together for re-election at the county clerk’s office in a show of unity (Spectrum).

Candidate Filings

Check out state elections Web page showing who has officially filed for various offices.

Do I Have What it Takes to Seek Office?

Note: With the March 17 filing deadline looming, many Utahns are making decisions right now about whether to seek political office. It is a very difficult decision. A couple of years ago, Bart Barker (e-mail: bbarker@quixnet.net) a former 10-year Salt Lake County commissioner, wrote an essay about the factors to consider and questions to ask in deciding whether to run.

First of all, you should ask yourself: What is the real reason I am considering running? You need to identify this and really understand it. Are you seeking a starting point in politics and looking around to see where you have your best opportunity? Or is there an issue about which you feel strongly and running for a specific office seems the best way to make a difference? So why, really, are you considering running? Be sure you know in your heart and that you agree with the reasons.

How well do you understand government in general and the level of government in which you would serve? You need to be able to speak intelligently on the hows and whys. For example, if you are running for a county position you need to understand county government, the form of government your county has, the services your county provides, your county’s boundaries, current county issues, city governments (because counties work closely with cities), state government (again, you'll be working with the state and with legislators), and more. You'll need to do your homework to get elected and then, if you win, to serve effectively.

What are the issues that matter to you and how will you address them in office? What about other issues that may arise? Are you knowledgeable about them? Do you have a position? Are you ready to do the research and homework necessary so you can speak intelligently as a candidate and as an elected official? Are you open-minded about different viewpoints?

Do you love government or politics? I don't know of a public office in which those who are truly effective are paid what they are worth. They do it because of their drive to serve, to make a difference, or because they love the attention. Will you be able to reach election day still loving the experience? Can you still get up every day after two or four years, excited about serving?

Are you willing to endure the struggle and pain of getting elected and serving? Politics can bring great satisfaction and joy, but there are plenty of rough spots as well. You can take a lot of heat and much of it may be undeserved, but it's part of the territory. How thick is your skin? Have you been in situations where you have endured severe criticism and handled it well? You need to avoid lashing out at your constituents, other public officials and the media, even if you think they deserve it. Sometimes you won't have a chance to set the record straight. Can you handle that? When I served in office people in my neighborhood knew when I'd had a bad day: they saw it on the TV news.

A related question: do you have secrets you don't want the public, or even your family, to learn? They have a way of coming out when you're in public office. It may not be during your first campaign or your first couple of years of service. But when you face major political opposition or you take a strong position on a controversial issue, some people may search for your skeletons to discredit you. Will such revelations undermine your effectiveness or damage you personally? Is it worth the risk? Something from your past also could be taken out of context and presented inaccurately to hurt you. This sort of thing may never happen to you but, unfortunately these days it's a risk. It's also a big reason many qualified individuals won't serve. Nobody is perfect and most of us have made mistakes we'd rather the world not know about.

What is your employment or income situation? Can you devote the time necessary to campaign? If you win, can you afford the time away from your job or business to serve in a part-time office? Or, if the office is full-time, what will it do to your career and your income? 

How will running for office and serving in office affect your personal and family life? It probably will take more time than you think. Are you willing to devote the time necessary to be effective? Are you willing to miss family events? How about holidays? The Fourth of July is a holiday for almost everyone except elected officials, who are expected to be present and visible at community celebrations. The same with Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Pioneer Day and whatever other Day your community celebrates. Are you willing to be cornered by citizens at the grocery store, at the movies with your spouse, and at restaurants? Normally they will be courteous, but they consider you to be their employee and won't be bashful about expressing their opinion on the current controversy. You'll need to smile, listen and be patient. Are you willing to give over some privacy and a lot of personal time to your constituents?

Money is critical in a campaign at any level, especially in a contested race. Do you know how much your election will cost? Do you have or can you raise that amount of money? Candidates who must raise the money may be weeded out early if they aren't cut out for public service. Those who might contribute can sense it and won't give. This filtering process is an important part of elections. Of course, those who have money and are willing to spend it to get elected don't experience this. Some wealthy candidates significantly outspend their opponents and still lose because the filtering doesn't come until election day. Others get elected because of their money and then are over their heads in office.

The FrontRunner

The Utah Transit Authority unveils the name of its commuter rail system -- the FrontRunner -- and the paint scheme that will be used on the commuter rail locomotives and passenger cars (see press release).

Blog Watch

Bitter blogger at This Divided State says: "The idealogy of the Republican Party has been pervertedly equated with the beliefs and doctrines of the Mormon church"... Utahnia's impressed with Deseret Industries director Curtis Ravsten... Utah Centralist's not so impressed with Draper... The Utah Amicus spotlights Sen. Patrice Arent, who's retiring from the Senate, and Rep. Pat Jones, who's running for Arent's vacated seat in District 4... Utah Conservative conducted a candidate survey with Mark Towner, who's running for Utah Senate in the 2nd District... Wilf Sommerkorn reports on Tuesday's Utah ULI seminar.

Sutherland Policies Advanced in '06

The Sutherland Institute hails the advancement of several of its policy recommendations in the 2006 legislative session, including parental rights, divorce reform, and tax reform legislation. Says Pres. Paul Mero: "Prosperity is often a harder thing to deal with than scarcity. By and large, the Legislature is to be commended for their good work" (see press release).

Flag Protection Not a Pressing Issue

In press release (no link available), Senate candidate Pete Ashdown calls Sen. Orrin Hatch's Flag Protection Amendment “election year politics that pushes aside more important issues.” Citing nuclear waste sitting in Moab and the potential for more waste in Skull Valley, Ashdown says Utah needs a Senator who will address issues that “are more pressing and more important.”

Washington Watch
Thumbs Up for DREAM Act

Liberal columnist endorses Sen. Orrin Hatch's DREAM Act (The Nation).

Matheson: Give Bush Veto Authority

Rep. Jim Matheson signs onto legislation that would give Pres. Bush line item veto authority over spending bills (see press release); Matheson votes "to instruct Congressional negotiators to strengthen airline pension provisions as they finalize a bill overhauling pension law" (press release).

National Politics

National Journal column by Chuck Todd takes a look at what presidential elections might be like if a proposal is approved to make the Electoral College more responsive to the popular vote. Candidates would play more to demographic groups than to state voting blocs.

Elected Officials Birthday List

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National Headlines

Article looks at "oddball" citizens who are running for Congress this year, including Utahns Joe LaBonte and Roger Price, who are both challenging Sen. Orrin Hatch (The Hill).

Critics from Utah and Idaho urge Nevada's Environmental Commission to strengthen proposed mercury regulations to protect people and wildlife living downwind from mercury-belching mines (Reno Gazette-Journal).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Demo women leaving Senate

- The U.S. is declared the winner, but there are other issues still to be resolved

- UTA hopes to rent Union Pacific rails

- Conservationists back ranchers in gate dispute

- Pawn bill changes approved

- Mullen: Draper too tony for DI's clientele?

- How wild is still wild?

- Cities not hot on lower heat bill

- Hatch picked for oversight panel on wiretaps

- Hamilton will be new chairman of parole board

- Community leaders rue news of Latina's Cabinet departure

- Provo Council votes itself a raise

- Elizabeth Smart lobbies D.C. senators

- Prayer resolution may cost schools a bundle

- Beaver sheriff told not to quit

- Industrial banks law criticized

- Editorial: BILLS TO VETO: Reasons why the executive has a check

- Editorial: CONTRACEPTION: Utah should improve education, services

Park Record

- Ure wants a Senate seat

- Barbs launched as campaigns in county begin

- Editorial: Evans' graceful exit opens door

Standard-Examiner

- FrontRunner ... around the bend

- Survey bodes well for Weber

- Editorial: Your good name

City Weekly

- That's the place

- On the (Multi) Level: Utah multilevel marketers make sure lawmakers got their back

- Micron-omics: Will the chipmaker finally commit? Or is Lehi just a friend with benefits?

- Private Maters: State budget aside, this session featured a consistent undercurrent

- Editorial: Nowhere Fast: Perhaps the failure of Utah's education is that it's so politicized

St. George Spectrum

- Legislators file together for office

- Iron County candidates file

- Bennion leaves SUU with genuine charm still intact

- Randall stepping down from Enterprise post

- Annexations on Cedar Council agenda

- County upgrades emergency communications

- Editorial: Involve public in hiring

WSU Signpost

- Lt. Gov. seeks student involvement

Deseret Morning News

- PFS chief says foes can't stop nuclear waste

- Hotel nixes Provo offer

- Pardons board replaces chairman

- Smart speaks in D.C. to back child-safety bill

- UTA unveils 'FrontRunner'

- Vegetarians use 'love' to sell their ideology

- W. Jordan councilman set to run for House

- County seeks input on west-bench plan

- Pleasant Grove to move on rec center

- Demos losing 2 senators from swing districts

- 2 are running to unseat Washington County's sheriff

- First Latina in Cabinet for Utah steps down

- Editorial: Don't turn back on D.I.

- Editorial: Veto 'in loco parentis' bil

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Mar 7-17: 2006 election candidate filing period.
- Mar 9: Hinckley Forum "Money and Politics," 8 a.m. Kirk Jowers, Director, Hinckley Institute of Politics; Associate Professor, University of Utah; Director of Academic Affairs for Campaign Legal Center.
- Mar 9: Gov. Huntsman to attend Utah County Business Expo, 11:45 a.m., UVSC, McKay Events Center.
- Mar 9: Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak at Associated Builders and Contractors of America Meeting, 12 p.m., Sheraton Hotel, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City Utah.
- Mar 9: Davis County Republican Party Central Committee Meeting/Caucus Training, 7 p.m., DATC in Kaysville (behind Davis High). This meeting is for all precinct chairs and vice chairs, as well as all elected officials.
- Mar 9: Constitution Party of Utah Davis County General Meeting, 7 p.m., Kaysville Library, 44 N Main, Kaysville. Questions contact Jorgina Hancock at 801-298-0430.
- Mar 10: Policy Round Table, 11:50 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Alta Club, 100 E South Temple, Salt Lake City. Topic: Assessment & Public Ed "How does Utah's achievement in Math and Reading measure up to the nation?  Are we satisfied with our progress?" Speakers include Hal Sanderson, Utah Office of Education, and Andrea Rorrer, Professor of Education, University of Utah. Please RSVP by emailing Dan Burton or call 801-358-3613.
- Mar 10: Cassandra Network Monthly Meeting, 12 to 1:30 p.m., room 125 West Capitol Building. Brown bag lunch for all women interested in public policy. Guest Speaker will be Diana Pounder and her topic is "The Power of Learning When and How to Say No."
- Mar 10: Salt Lake City Shundahai Network will host  “Thirteen Days,” 7 p.m., Free Speech Zone, 2144 South Highland Drive, Suite 130, Salt Lake City. After the discovery of Soviet weapons in Cuba, events and tension escalate between two military superpowers and within the White House as they struggle to prevent nuclear war.  For more information see Shundahai Network website or 801-533-0128.
- Mar 11: Davis County Democrats monthly breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Granny Annie's Restaurant, 286 N 400 W  Kaysville. Guests Charles Henderson, democratic chairman of the Black Caucus, and Billie Larson, chairwoman of the democratic Womens Caucus. Please bring an item of food (non perishable) for the Davis County Food Bank.
- Mar 11: Pete Ashdown entry in St. Patrick's Day Parade, 9:30 a.m., The Gateway, Salt Lake City. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 11: Pete Ashdown Ashdown Campaign Caravan Customization Party, 12 p.m., Campaign Headquarters, 780 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 11: Utah Rally for Peace meeting, 2:15 to 5 p.m., Salt Lake City Main Library, meeting room C. "911 Eyewitness" by Richard A. Siegel will be presented. For more information contact Director James Valarian at utahrallyforpeace@hotmail.com.
- Mar 12: Pete Ashdown Meet and Greet at the home of Brenda Scheer, 5 p.m., 776 N East Capitol Blvd, Salt Lake City. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 13: Pete Ashdown, Democratic candidate for US Senate, to speak to the Hurricane Rotary Club, 12 p.m., JB's Restaurant, 635 W. State, Hurricane. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 14: Pete Ashdown, Democratic candidate for US Senate, to speak to the Cedar City Rotary Club, 12:15 p.m., Sullivan's Steak House, 301 S. Main Street, Cedar City. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 15: United Way of Salt Lake 1st Annual Report to the Community Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown, 75 S West Temple. Learn about United Way of Salt Lake’s public policy success during the 2006 Legislative Session and receive a comprehensive overview on current initiatives and their impact on the community. For more information, please contact Jennifer Andrs at 801-736-7787 or jennifer@uw.org.
- Mar 17: Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus 3rd Annual Bowling Tournament Fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m., Sue Rich Lanes, 1376 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City. Cost: $30.00 per player in advance - $35 at the door. Not Bowling? $15.00 per adult and $5.00 per child. For more information call UDPC at 435-336-2123.
- Mar 17: Salt Lake City Shundahai Network to host  “The Day After,” 7 p.m., Free Speech Zone, 2144 South Highland Drive, Suite 130, Salt Lake City. The ensuing destruction after the nuclear holocaust is utterly horrific, but a few manage to survive to struggle vainly with the slow, inevitable collapse of society. For more information see Shundahai Network website or 801-533-0128.

- Mar 18: Lincoln Day Breakfast, Emery County 9:00 a.m.
- Mar 18: Green Party sponsored Honk 'n' Wave, 9 to 10 a.m. Meet on the northwest corner of the intersection, 700 East and 2100 South, Salt Lake City.
- Mar 20-21: Utah Farm Bureau Campaign Management Seminar, designed for candidates running for public office, their spouses, their campaign managers, individuals interested in running for public officein the future, and prospective campaign managers. Contact Sterling Brown at 801-233-3020 for registration information.

- Mar 21: Last Day for Governor to Sign or Veto Bills.

- Mar 21: Republican Caucus Meetings.
- Mar 21: Republican Party State Wide Precinct Caucus Meetings.
- Mar 21: Hinckley Forum "Can Democrats Retake the West?" 9:10 a.m. Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-MT). Presented by the Sam Rich Program in International Politics.
- Mar 22: Republican Training for Newly elected Precinct Officials begins.
- Mar 22: Hinckley Forum "Hamas Victory: What it Means?" 10:45 a.m., Omar Kader, President PaL-Tech, Inc.
- Mar 22: Meet and greet with Pete Ashdown, candidate for U.S. Senate, 6 p.m., the home of Barb Guy, 1191 S 800 E, Salt Lake City.
- Mar 23: Hinckley Forum "Washington Update," 10:45 a.m., Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT).

- Mar 23: Pete Ashdown, Democratic candidate for US Senate, to speak to the Logan Rotary Club, 12 p.m., Coppermill Restaurant, 55 North Main, Logan. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.
- Mar 23: Pete Ashdown Meeting with USU College Democrats, 5 p.m., Old Main Building, Room 326, Logan. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.

- See the entire calendar