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Transportation Watch

Utah Leaders Facing Transportation Challenges

With a transportation crisis looming in Utah, leaders are stepping up to deal with the challenge. See feature article below, and also links to articles about how tolling and private infrastructure investment are gaining traction around the country.

Send a Message to the BLM

If you don’t want high-level nuclear waste in Utah, take a moment to send a message or write a letter to the Utah BLM office and express your views.

Sen. Orrin Hatch says letting the BLM know how strongly we feel about this issue may be our last best chance to keep the waste out of Utah. See his op-ed in Sunday’s Morning News.

Private Fuel Storage, the nuclear power plant consortium that wants to dump its waste on the Goshute Reservation, has received a license to proceed. It needs, however, land from the BLM for either a rail line or a transfer station adjacent to the I-80 freeway. At Hatch’s urging, the BLM has re-opened the comment period so Utahns and others can express their views.

The BLM needs to be inundated with thousands of letters, resolutions from groups, and e-mail messages. Comments should be sent before May 8 to: Pam Shuller, Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84119. Fax: (801) 977-4397; Email: pam_schuller@blm.gov

For more information, check out this page on Hatch’s Senate Web site.  

Get Your Item On the Calendar

UPD’s political calendar is Utah’s best source of information about upcoming political and government events. If you’re aware of an event of interest to Utah’s political community, this is the place to post it. We encourage elected and appointed officials to send us information about public appearances, speeches, etc.  We welcome info about campaign events, press conferences, and so forth. Send schedules and calendar items to daily@utahpolicy.com.

 

News Highlights

Gov. Huntsman likely to escape 2006 without a veto override session, despite lobbying by lawmakers whose bills were killed by the governor (Deseret Morning News).

HHS Sec. Mike Leavitt being mentioned as a possible addition to Pres. Bush's inner circle of advisers (Morning News).

Mormon e-mail campaign protests portrayal of church in “Big Love” (Salt Lake Tribune).

Impact of No Child Left Behind is good and bad (Tribune).

  


Paid by Jana Truman For Davis County Commission

 

Quote of the Day

“The only way we can stay here is to stay living in a fifth-wheel."

-- Justen Selman, who along with his wife is a teacher at Dixie High School, commenting on the price of housing in the St. George area. The school district has difficulty hiring enough teachers to keep up with population boom, in large part because of high housing costs (Morning News).

  
 

Wednesday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

  

Wilderness Coalition Opposes Lands Deal

The Wilderness Society announces: "After reviewing the details of Senator [Bob] Bennett's proposed legislation for Washington County unveiled for the first time last week [the release doesn't mention Rep. Jim Matheson's involvement], conservation groups in the Utah Wilderness Coalition expressed dismay that the draft bill would make only minimal conservation gains while furthering sprawl and development in the fifth fastest growing county in the nation" (see press release).

Mayor Blasts News Media

The Salt Lake City Mayor's Office has a posted a PDF file of Mayor Rocky Anderson's speech on media ethics and accountability at The Daily Utah Chronicle's annual banquet. To read the speech, which strongly criticizes the news media, click here.

Washington Watch

Hatch: Card a 'Cool Hand Luke'

Sen. Orrin Hatch praises departing White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, calling him a "cool hand Luke" through crisis after crisis (Dallas Morning News); Hatch says he has been given details about Pres. Bush's warrantless-surveillance program and is satisfied -- but not absolutely certain -- that it is constitutional (National Review); Hatch announces the line-up for the 19th Annual Utah Conference for Seniors, which will include best-selling author and speaker Richard Paul Evans (see press release).

Bennett Announces Rural Business Conference

Sen. Bob Bennett will hold his fifth annual Rural Business Conference in Vernal April 19-20. The conference "will feature a variety of presentations addressing economic development and business growth in northeastern Utah" (see press release).

Blog Watch

Welcome to Stupidstan

The Utah Amicus has a post about Rep. Jim Matheson's birthday... Pete Ashdown solicits donations for his Senate campaign... Brett Crockett produced an ad about the proposed Goshute N-waste dump, and solicits reader feedback on the ad's design... Rural Blogging is "concerned that rural economic development policy seldom includes all of the key players"... Sixteen Small Stones sat down and discussed a wide range of topics with Sen. Parley Hellewell... The Good in Ogden says: "Though the LDS Church does not take a political stand on most issues, many LDS Republicans feel that it is their job to legislate LDS doctrine"... Utah Educator says: "As long as the UEA keeps common sense solutions out of schools, we'll continue to lose great teachers to industries that appreciate and reward their excellence"... My world apologizes to Sen. Orrin Hatch... Music for All says this Trib editorial reflects a growing consensus on national education policy... Thomas Paine's Corner says Utah and Kansas should secede from the Union and form a country called Stupidstan.

  

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Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
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Wednesday
March 29, 2006

Towner
Paid by Towner for Utah Senate District 2

Utah in the National News

Columnist looks at Kanab's "natural family" resolution controversy (North Jersey).

Columnist disputes the notion of a "liberal baby bust" (Seattle Times).

Utah polygamists call HBO's "Big Love" a cultural benchmark that casts a warmer light on their lives (New York Times).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Guv tells Iraqis to get act together

- No love for 'Big Love' in e-mail campaign

- Full Text: Big Love e-mail

- Utah, S.L. counties OK boost to car tax

- Greens blast land-use plan

- Rolly: Third party, different planet

- More Utah students join walkout

- Student watches reform measure

- SLC Council to discuss the Unity Center

- Large hotel near Park City seems unlikely

- Strong new chief of Water Resources

- NCLB: Schools aren't the same

- New suit challenges ruling on grazing permits

- Utah's first lady talks about teens and alcohol

- Jail bed closures stalled further

- Emery County clerk takes back his resignation

- Questar asks for 4% natural-gas rate drop

- State's $1.5M to add jobs in Ogden

- Editorial: Immigration reform: Bill must bring illegals into the light

Standard-Examiner

- Council hears concerns over swap

- Editorial: Immigration reform redux

St. George Spectrum

- Commissioners mull consultant for habitat

- Panguitch mulls options for power delivery

- Op-ed: Kanab city's 'Natural Family' resolution disaster

- Editorial: Mayor's actions cowardly

Davis County Clipper

- Leavitt: Prepare now for bird flu

- Wilson bows out after 30 years

- Home schooler sees no disadvantages

- Clearfield selects new city mayor

- Troy Rawlings seeks county attorney post
- Davis population still rising

- Davis adds 3,000 jobs over past year

- W. Bountiful tax revenues, water bills up

- Council tables corridor preservation pact

- Proposed road changes given extra consideration

- WX council hears of district's growth

- From the left: What are the strongest points of your party's platform? What are the weakest points of the other party's platform?

- From the right: What are the strongest points of your party's platform? What are the weakest points of the other party's platform?

Deseret Morning News

- A veto override session looks unlikely

- Schools, teachers in short supply

- No Davis fee hike

- Governor stresses self-governed Iraq

- Winter has been expensive for gas customers

- Vehicle fee rises $10

- Drug-alcohol talk called crucial

- Ibarra supports migrant measure

- S.L. County approves hold on jail bed closures

- Summit to vote on bigger council with full-time manager

- Leavitt may be in line for Bush's inner circle

- Legislators question Provo school board bond plan

- 2 S.L. schools planning move to charter status

- Activists blast Dixie land-use bill

- UTC meeting to feature keynote by governor

- Utah income rises

- Women's business event set

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Mar 29: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "A Journey of Gender," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Doug is joined by KUER's Jenny Brundin and Jenni Jackson, a man who became a woman and is now running for the Utah State Senate, as well as others from Utah's transgendered community, for a look at their journey of transformation.
- Mar 29: Gov. Huntsman to attend USTAR reception, 4 p.m., Panache, 299 S Main Street, Salt Lake City.
- Mar 30-31: The Legacy Law Foundation in collaboration with the Sutherland Institute and the Lighted Candle Society are holding a two-day combined event entitled “Stand Up.  Step Forward.  Speak Out.”  Register online at www.LegacyLeader.com.
- Mar 30: Gov. Huntsman KUED Monthly News Conference, 10 a.m., KUED Studios.
- Mar 30: Gov. Huntsman at KSL's "Let Me Speak to the Governor," 6 p.m., KSL Studios.
- Mar 30: Call to Duty Tour sponsored by the S.J. Quinney College of Law's Public Interest Law Organization, 7 p.m., Sutherland Moot Courtroom, College of Law, University of Utah. This group of seven service members will discuss and debate the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. For more information go to www.calltodutytour.org or hurstj@law.utah.edu.
- Mar 31: Hinckley Forum "Tax Cuts, Deficit & The Economy," 9:40 a.m., Randal K. Quarles, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, U.S. Treasury.
- Mar 31: Gov. Huntsman to present Business Woman of the Year Award, 12 p.m., The City Center Marriott, 220 S State Street, Salt Lake City.
- Mar 31: Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak at Tooele County Lincoln Day Dinner, 7:30 p.m., Deseret Peak Fire Museum, 2930 West Highway 112, Tooele.
- Apr 1: Salt Lake County Democrats Legislative Chair Elections and Precinct Officers Training, registration opens at 8:30, Northwest Middle School, 1730 West 1700 North Salt Lake City. All newly elected precinct officers are invited to attend. Questions may be directed to the County Party at 801-220-0122 during normal business hours or at www.slcountydems.com.
- Apr 1: Pete Ashdown to speak at the Daggett County Democratic Convention, 12 p.m., Senior Citizen's Center, 145 E Highway 43, Manila. For more information contact Brett Garner at brett@pashdown.org.

- Apr 3: State Senators to address Utah County Republican Women, 12 p.m., Rm 201, Provo Library at Academy Square, 550 N University.  Speakers:  State Sen. John Valentine, Pres. of the Senate, State Senators Howard Stephenson, Mark Madsen, Parley Hellewell, and Curtis Bramble. A light free lunch will be served and the public is invited.  For further information call Pres. Sharon Stucki at 801-763-7429, Chr. Barbara Packard at 801-225-0919 or email Suzanne Merrill at suzannemerrill@comcast.net.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List



 

 

Feature Story

Transportation Champs: The Salt Lake Chamber and Lane Beattie

By LaVarr Webb

One of the biggest threats to Utah’s strong economy is a transportation system that is maxed out and in some areas is on the verge of failure.

That’s not just some inflammatory statement I came up with. It is the position of Utah’s largest business organization, the Salt Lake Chamber. For some time now, among the myriad issues facing Utah’s business community, transportation infrastructure development has been the Chamber’s top priority.

I was in a meeting recently with Chamber President & CEO Lane Beattie, and I was very impressed with his understanding of the transportation challenge facing the state and his passion for doing something about it.  He is a real and convincing evangelist when it comes to promoting transportation improvements, both public transit and highways, even to the point of recognizing that tax increases and other creative financing will be necessary to close the $16.5 billion transportation funding gap.

Beattie is grateful for the Legislature’s commitment to infrastructure financing. In the last session, Utah’s lawmakers appropriated around $400 million for highways, more than ever in the state’s history, and they received criticism for investing so much in highways. But even that level of funding is not enough, and was by no means a permanent fix. Upwards of $1 billion a year will be needed for highways to even begin to catch up on the backlog of crucial projects in Utah’s booming growth areas.

Beattie is also an articulate advocate of building out the Wasatch Front’s mass transit system on an accelerated schedule, rather than waiting 25 years, for example, to get TRAX spurs to Draper, to the southwest corner of Salt Lake Valley, to West Valley City and to the airport. Moving those projects ahead quickly will require a vote of the people for a modest tax increase.

Beattie’s and the business community’s support for transportation improvements is crucial, because in every part of the country where big projects have been undertaken and real progress has been made, the efforts have been led by the business community. That is certainly the case with Utah’s economic competitors, including Denver and Phoenix, where business leaders have championed massive transportation initiatives.

It is one thing to have the politicians and the public agencies argue for more transportation funding. It can sound self-serving coming from them. It is more convincing when Utah’s business leaders say that job growth and economic vitality are at imminent risk unless commuters have adequate mobility and businesses are able to deliver products and goods.

Beattie believes that a great deal more education is necessary to help Utahns understand the seriousness of the transportation crisis. To that end, it is likely that the Chamber, other business organizations, and local and state government leaders will form some sort of alliance to advocate for transportation infrastructure. Such coalitions have been created in other states that have embarked on large transportation infrastructure initiatives.

Utah is lucky to have leaders who really understand the transportation crisis we face. Besides Beattie and other top business leaders, we have strong transportation advocates in the governor’s office in Gov. Jon Huntsman and Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, and also in the Legislature and among local government leaders.

There aren’t any easy answers to the mobility challenges we face, but a major step in resolving the crisis is having key leaders step up to take it on. That seems to be happening in Utah.

Tolling is Catching on Around Country

It’s not just Utah that is considering tolling and public private partnerships to leverage transportation dollars and create a more market-oriented system. Consider this interesting analysis by the Heartland Institute, which says the idea of charging for use of highways has reached the “tipping point” in states and localities all over the country.

In addition, a fascinating March 20 Washington Post story (registration required) discusses the boom in private infrastructure investment. “Wall Street is getting into infrastructure because politicians have bailed out on one of the most important issues facing the nation,” says the story. “... behind the private-is-preferable theory is the immediate reality that governments don't have -- or are unwilling to raise – the billions needed to rebuild the nation's crumbling infrastructure.”  The story also says the United States is far behind European and other nations where private infrastructure ownership is common.

Can the Gas Tax be Replaced?

The New York Times reports on an experiment in Oregon where cars are equipped with a GPS system that can keep track of total up miles driven and driving routes and locations. The idea would be to replace the gas tax and charge drivers for the miles and locations they travel. The system would have a lot of flexibility for congestion management. It could charge more, for example, during peak driving hours and for use of crowded highways.

 

On the Move

Links to the Week's Key Transportation News Stories

-- Car registration fees may go up $10 (Deseret Morning News).

-- S.L. OKs funding to revamp rail line (Deseret Morning News).

-- S.L. County likely to OK car-fee hike (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- $10 fee for road paths? (Deseret Morning News).

-- Residents split over TRAX tax hike (Morning News).

-- County growth sparks new vehicle registration fees (Daily Herald).

-- Mesa Airlines says Moab air service will get a big boost (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- Analysis: Highway tolling, private roadway financing gain support in states (Heartland Institute).

-- Mesa unveils its airline fares (St. George Spectrum).

-- Council tables corridor preservation pact (Davis County Clipper).

-- Proposed road changes given extra consideration (Clipper).

-- Dixie's growth triggers traffic logjam (Deseret Morning News).

-- Mesa Air to serve 3 Utah cities (Morning News).

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Utah Transportation Watch is a service of Utah Policy.com