News Highlights

Rep. John Dougall, sponsor of tax reform legislation, says he can’t trust numbers from Tax Commission economist (Salt Lake Tribune); Gov. Jon Huntsman says he will continue to push tax reform, but won’t convene lawmakers in special session until a plan is ready; Senate Pres. John Valentine says lawmakers could come up with their own plan (Deseret Morning News); Tribune editorial says avoiding a May special session may be a lucky break.

U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman visits Yucca Mountain, urges Congress to pass legislation to get the storage site for high level nuclear waste operational. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid vows the site will never open (Associated Press).  

Morning News editorial argues that Wal-Mart ought to be treated like other corporations that have established industrial banks in Utah.

Paid by Jana Truman For Davis County Commission

Quote of the Day

"Do we as people have faith to see this through?"
-- Sen. Orrin Hatch, wondering about U.S. commitment to the Iraq war, while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast to a mostly military audience (Morning News).

Political Leadership
Wise Leaders Don't Burn Bridges
(A Utah Policy Daily reprint)

Big victories and crushing defeats are inherent in politics. And along with the wins and losses come emotional ups and downs. At all levels of politics, it's easy to get mad, to hold grudges and to want to get even. Some of the nastiest battles are in neighborhood organizations, city councils and county commissions. Politics attracts big egos that are sensitive and easily bruised. Making and maintaining enemies is part of the game for some politicians.

But the smartest and best politicians don't burn bridges. Anyone who is in politics very long soon realizes that today's enemy will probably be tomorrow's ally. Issues come and go and coalitions form, disband and reform with different players. Anyone who makes real and permanent enemies hampers their chances at long-term success. It's fine to fight hard and debate hard, but once the votes are counted, it's silly and childish to hold grudges and stay angry.

In the high-tech world, Ray Noorda coined the term "co-opetition." Sometimes you compete vigorously. Sometimes you cooperate fully. That applies in politics as well as in the technology industry.

Don't take things personally. Stay calm. Get away for a while, and then make up with your opponents. Don't burn bridges because it's almost guaranteed you'll need to work together with former opponents in the future.

Podcast Watch
Jennifer Napier-Pearce’s www.insideutah.com this week features Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson (:36) on media ethics; former TenFold CEO Gary Kennedy (9:25) on life after an SEC investigation; and Army National Guard member and former Utahn Jason Christopher Hartley (19:22) on blogging and fighting in Iraq.

Blog Watch
On The Senate Site, Senate President John Valentine gives his perspective on tax reform... Democracy for Utah quotes from a Washington Monthly article that says congressional Democrats are operating remarkably well as a party, but the press corps is still following the same old script of the "divided, ineffective" Democrats... Phil Windley at Utah Politics says we need to find common ground on immigration reform... Utah Planners Corner compliments Washington County commissioners for working out a memorandum of understanding with the Nature Conservancy, the Oquirrh Institute and Envision Utah to develop a plan for growth... SLCSpin salutes KCPW reporter Julie Rose for effectively moderating Mayor Rocky Anderson and Senator Curtis Bramble during an immigration debate... Dee’s Dotes reports that a South Jordan citizens’ rally effectively blocked the possibility of the city selling a 4-acre Jordan River Park parcel to the LDS Church or other developers... One Utah says the case against Secretary Rumsfeld is clear and that President Bush continues to dismay his supporters by saying Rumsfeld is "doing a very fine job" in Iraq.

National Politics
Demos Have Ethics Problems, Too
Democrats have planned to run hard on ethics this year, feeling the Republicans are vulnerable on the issue. But a National Journal column by John Mercurio notes that Democrats have ethics problems of their own and the issue cuts both ways.

Get Out the Vote
If you’re a candidate or campaign manager, you ought to read "Get Out the Vote! How to Increase Voter Turnout," by Yale political science professors Donald P. Green and Alan S. Gerber. The National Journal wrote a review (membership required) and the book is on Amazon.com.    

Casual Friday
Technology Keeps Us Connected
Thanks to the wonders of computers, satellites and telecommunications, I’ve been able to have a nice vacation this week in a remote part of Utah and still stay reasonably well connected to work and Utah Policy Daily.

Lots of people would say I’m nuts for wanting to stay in touch with work while on vacation, but I’m weird enough to admit feeling uneasy when I can’t check my phone messages or e-mail.

So it is about 11 p.m. Friday night, and I’m sitting in my room at a lodge at Mt. Carmel Junction, near the east side of Zion National Park on Highway 89. I’ve been here all week with my family and we’ve had a great time doing some of the classic hikes at Zion Park. We also hiked into Buckskin Gulch, one of the side canyons to the magnificent Paria Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border. We entered Buckskin Gulch via the Wire Pass trail, which becomes a fun little slot canyon before it enters Buckskin.

At the Park we did several of the terrific hikes, including Angel’s Landing, one of the truly spectacular hikes in all the country’s national park system. The hike ends with a half-mile scrambling ascent (both hands needed) up a narrow cocks comb with thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides. The final ascent looks terrifying from a distance, but it’s actually not as scary as it looks once you start up, hanging onto chains and tree roots.  

The weather has been perfect and we even had a fun encounter with a wild turkey named Jake who chased my son-in-law for a full half-hour as he jogged around the golf course at Mt. Carmel and followed him right to his motel room, standing guard outside, pacing and pecking at the window (we have photos!).

We concluded Jake might be a descendant of the feathered raptor Hagryphus giganteus, or "giant birdlike-god of the Western desert," the fossils of which have been found not far from here. The bird stood 7 feet tall with powerful arms and menacing claws and roamed the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument 75 million years ago.

So if you golf or jog on the Mt. Carmel course, watch out for Jake.

Outdoors Report
Monster rainbow trout, 18 pounds and 33 inches, caught through the ice at Strawberry Reservoir on the Soldier Creek side. See story for all the details, plus photos.  See also Utah Wildlife News of the week  and weekly fishing reports.

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Utah in the National News

The southern Texas ranch owned by the Utah-based FLDS Church faces more than $34,000 in fines for environmental violations related to construction on the property (Star-Telegram).  

Some members of Hildale polygamy sect fleeing as law closes in (USA Today).  

Once they hit the Internet, some stories develop a life of their own. The DaVinci Academy, a Charter School in Ogden, made international headlines this week when it thought it had booked comedian Jon Stewart for its annual gala. As of this writing, a Google news search produced 152 links, including Monsters and Critics.com, UK, Forbes.com, and Chicago Tribune.

Mitt Romney’s health care bill now produces 532 links from a Google news search, from all around the world.

Local Headlines

Daily Herald
- Lehi city manager quits amid brouhaha
- Some workers pay the price for attending rallies
- Huntsman: Nebo district, Utah economy growing

SLCC Globe
- SLCC professor 'Sparks' change in civil rights

The Spectrum
- Opinion: Against illegal immigration

Deseret Morning News
- Bill limiting physician contracts will return
- Tax reform isn't dead
- W.V. is likely to raise taxes
- Miller, U. group to discuss concerns about talk
- Hatch talks of God, support for military
- Plans for religious school hit a 'dirty' snag
- Frustrated Board of Education member resigns
- Governor revs it up at new race track
- Opinion: Play fair with Wal-Mart
- Opinion: Term-limit warnings now seem overblown

Salt Lake Tribune
- Tax gaffe draws flak at Capitol/Tax plan sponsor frustrated
- Dern turns to Utah's 21st governor for HBO role
- Energy chief gives Yucca Mountain a glowing recommendation
- West Valley City considers tax spike
- Texas may fine FLDS over pollution
- Brothers of FLDS leader dropped from suit
- 222nd shores up bloody province
- Guv wants open book on offers to business
- Opinion: A lucky break: One tax error allows search for others
- Opinion: Thomas: What part of 'illegal' don't they understand?

KSL
- Opinion: Tax Reform

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- Apr 14: Chris Cannon Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Courtyard Marriott, 10701 South Holiday Park Dr, Sandy. RSVP at 801-374-3002 or rsvp@chriscannon.com.
- Apr 14: 1st Annual University of Utah Impact Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., patio of the Olpin Union Building, University of Utah campus. Register to vote, join a campaign, meet local candidates, get involved in campus groups, prizes and music, win a free trip to D.C. For more information see www.ustudents.com.
- Apr 14: Hinckley Forum “South African - U.S. Relations,” 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Her Excellency Barbara Joyce Mosima Masekela, South African ambassador to the United States.
- Apr 14: Pete Ashdown to meet with students at University of Utah Impact Days, 11 a.m., Olpin Union Plaza, Salt Lake.
- Apr 14: Policy Round Table "USTAR, Investment, and our Universities: What is USTAR? How does it work? Who gets access to the funding?" 11:50 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Alta Club, 100 E South Temple, Salt Lake City. Speakers include Scott Anderson, President of Zions Bank, and David Buhler, Commissioner for Higher Education. Please RSVP by emailing Dan Burton at policy.round.table@gmail.com. Questions call Mark Crockett at 801-550-5343 or Dan Burton at 801-358-3613.
- Apr 14: Utah Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects presents its Second Annual Olmsted Lecture, 4 p.m., Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College. This year's lecture will focus on the collaborative design process that resulted in the successful resolution of the Legacy Parkway controversy. See the unveiling of new preliminary plans and details for the redesigned Legacy Parkway. A light reception will follow. For more information contact Brian Carver at 801-538-1153 or bcarver@utah.gov
- Apr 14: Chris Cannon Delegate Evening Barbecue, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Pioneer Hall, 1140 West 7800 South, West Jordan. RSVP at 801-374-3002 or rsvp@chriscannon.com.
- Apr 14: Emery County Republican Convention, 7 p.m., Castledale Recreation Center 75 S. 400 E.
- Apr 15: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Kent Morgan event at the Prudential Building, 2nd Floor, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., 6671 S. Redwood Road West Jordan.
- Apr 15: Chris Cannon Lunch Delegate Barbecue, 12 to 2 p.m., Kiwanis Park, 829 North 1100 East, Provo. RSVP at 801-374-3002 or rsvp@chriscannon.com.
- Apr 15: Utah Rally for Peace meeting, 2:15 to 5 p.m., Salt Lake City Main Library, meeting room C. View a free encore performance of “Painful Deceptions, An Analysis Of The September 11th Attacks," produced and narrated by Eric Hufschmid. For more information contact Director James Valarian at utahrallyforpeace@hotmail.com.
- Apr 15: San Juan County Republican Convention, 4 p.m. Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak at 6 p.m. For more info contact County Party Chair Monte Dalton at 435-587-2762.
- Apr 17: John Jacob Delegate Breakfast 7:30 to 9 a.m., Flying J Café, 840 N Main St., Payson.
- Apr 17: Lt. Gov. Hebert to attend Mt. Nebo Economic Summit, 7:15 a.m., Peteetneet School/Museum, 439 West Utah Avenue, Payson.
- Apr 17: Hinckley Forum “Germany 2006: The Merkel Project,” 12 p.m., Orson Spencer Hall room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Dr. Gerald R. Kleinfeld, lecturer, consultant and contractor in various fields relating to Europe, Germany and Austria, International relations, higher education, German Studies, organizational administration, and scholarly associations.
- Apr 17: Lt. Gov. Hebert to present awards at Commission on Volunteers Silver Bowl Awards Event, 12 p.m., Provo Marriott, 101 West 100 North, Provo.
- Apr 17: John Jacob Delegate Lunch, 12 to 1:30 p.m., Gecko’s Mexican Grill, 781 W 10600 South, South Jordan.
- Apr 18: John Jacob Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Mimi’s Cafe, 304 E University Parkway, Orem.
- Apr 18: Hinckley Forum “The CP80 Initiative: The Solution to Online Pornography,” 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall room 255, University of Utah. Guests include Dr. Jill Manning, Social Science Therapy Resource Specialist for The CP80 Foundation, Cheryl Preston, Esq., Professor of Law, Brigham Young University, and Ralph Yarrow, Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of ThinkAtomic, Inc.; Founder and Chairman of The CP80 Foundation.

- Apr 18: Lt. Gov. Hebert to speak at DWS Work-Life Awards Luncheon, 11 a.m., Salt Lake City Hilton, 255 South West Temple, Salt Lake City.
- Apr 18: John Jacob Delegate Lunch 12 to 1:30 p.m., Olive Garden, 504 W 2230 North, Provo.
- Apr 18: Chris Cannon Delegate Dinner, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Timberline, 1542 South 450 West, Beaver. RSVP at 801-374-3002 or rsvp@chriscannon.com.
- Apr 18: Sanpete County Democratic Convention, 7 p.m., Court House, 160 N Main, Manti. Pete Ashdown to speak. For more information contact County Chair Jill Hansen 435-835-4200 or email jkdhansen@hotmail.com.
- Apr 18: Sevier County Democratic Convention, 7 p.m., Old Court House, Richfield. Pete Ashdown to speak at 8 p.m. For more information contact County Chair Steven Player at splayer@hubwest.com.
- Apr 18: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Kent Morgan event at the Hunter Library, 7 to 9 p.m., 4740 West 4100 South, West Valley City.

- Apr 19-20: Senator Bob Bennett, in conjunction with the Utah Rural Development Council, to host the Fifth Annual Rural Business Conference at Western Park in Vernal. Kathleen Clarke, BLM director, and JoAnn Wagner, CEO, chairman, and president of SOS Staffing, will give keynote speeches at the conference. Registration is $20. For more information, please visit www.ruralutah.com.
- Apr 19: Chris Cannon Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Mimi’s Café, 304 East University Parkway, Orem. RSVP at 801-374-3002 or rsvp@chriscannon.com.
- Apr 19: John Jacob Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Jim's Family Restaurant, 7609 S Redwood Rd., West Jordan.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List