News Highlights

Utah political leaders to join community activists and business owners in Salt Lake on Friday to speak out against nuclear waste storage in the state (Salt Lake Tribune).

Gov. Huntsman unveils new energy policy, which seeks a 20 percent increase in the state's energy efficiency by 2015 (Deseret Morning News).

Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett vote to divert money originally slated for funding the Iraq war toward heightening U.S. border security and boosting Coast Guard equipment (Tribune).

Big TRAX expansion could end up on 2006 ballot with projects completed by 2014 (Tribune).

Quote of the Day

"Blue Cross didn't come to me and say, 'Would you do this?' But there was a convergence of interests."

-- Jeff Fox, former director of the Utah Health Care Coalition, acknowledging that Regence BlueCross BlueShield was behind formation of the formerly secretive group and contributed $45,000 to it (Tribune).

Special Nuclear Waste Edition

Last Chance to Keep Spent Fuel Rods Out of Utah

Hold your breath. The fight to prevent Utah from becoming the nation’s dumping ground for the nastiest nuclear waste in existence is coming down to the final days.

After all the battles that Utah leaders have fought in the courts, in Congress, and in the regulatory arena, winning or losing may hinge on a decision by the Bureau of Land Management to grant or deny Private Fuel Storage a permit to construct a transfer facility adjacent to I-80 in Tooele County.

The BLM is accepting written comments from interested citizens and organizations until May 8, and this is one time when writing a simple letter or sending an e-mail message could make a huge difference. The BLM has said it is highly interested in hearing the views of Utahns on this issue, and Utah’s political leaders say that is very significant.

With a possible final decision hanging in the balance, Utah leaders, particularly Gov. Jon Huntsman, Sen. Orrin Hatch, and other members of the congressional delegation, are urging Utahns to communicate their views to the BLM.

To drum up some help, a group of top Utah political leaders are holding a press conference Friday at noon in the auditorium of the State Office Building just north of the Capitol. They are hopeful a large crowd will turn out to demonstrate strong opposition to storage of nuclear waste.

So if you don’t want 4,000 gigantic casks of spent fuel rods to be slapped above-ground on a slab of concrete 45 miles upwind of the Wasatch Front, adjacent to I-80, close to the Hill Air Force Base bombing range where jet fighters practice with real bombs, then here’s what you can do:

1. Attend the press conference Friday at noon in the State Office Building. Show your opposition to nuclear waste by showing up in person.
2. Write a letter, or send an e-mail message to the BLM. Here’s a link to a sample letter. Here’s the address:
   
         Pam Schuller   
         U.S. Bureau of Land Management       
         Salt Lake Field Office  
         2370 South 2300 West           
         Salt Lake City, Utah  84119 
         Email: pam_schuller@blm.gov
   
   
3. If you belong to a business, association or any organization, send an e-mail blast to all members/employees encouraging them to attend the press conference and send a message to the BLM before May 8. 
4. Send a message to friends, family members, etc., encouraging them to do the same.

Calling All Bloggers . . .

It’s Time to SWARM!

To support Utah leaders in opposing high-level nuclear waste storage in Utah, we’re hoping all Utah bloggers will participate in the state’s first “blogswarm” by posting items on this topic today and Friday. The idea is for bloggers to create a buzz, spike interest, and encourage their readers to send messages to the BLM.

If you’re a blogger, we encourage you to post the BLM address (see above), link to other bloggers and traditional media writing or broadcasting on this topic, and encourage readers to attend the press conference (see above) Friday at noon. Maybe a blogger or two would even like to post live from the press conference. For background info on the issue, see here and here.

Perhaps the governor and senator would even be willing to do a guest post, or be interviewed by bloggers.

We will try to coordinate some of these things, so let us know if you’ll participate by e-mailing Paul Hollingshead or calling 537-0900. We’ll link to you in Friday’s UPD and encourage the traditional media and political leaders to pay attention to your posts. 

Utah has never had a blogswarm, so it’s time to see what we can do.   

Blog Watch

At the Senate Site blog, Sen. Michael Waddoups defends the work of the Health Care Task Force, which "is meeting the challenge of gathering information, and dealing with it in a responsible, deliberative manner. When the facts are in, rational decisions will be made and we'll propose legislation that will result in better healthcare for our communities. My actions were no condemnation of the task force. The task force is doing its job"... Reach Upward asks: "Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone?"... Part of the Plan says: "Folks, it’s time to put up or shut up. [Senate candidate] Pete Ashdown is in the fight of his life, and he needs our financial support"... One Utah says: "Something is happening in Utah. Between the kind spanking given to the 70% majority republican Utah Senate during floor debate, and the dramatic four-month slide in Bush’s Utah approval rating from 63%-55%, to the pro-democrat letter read from the pulpit of every LDS ward house this past March, Utah may well soon surrender it’s vaulted position as the reddest state in the nation" (see also here and here)... Rural Blogging says: "By choosing the media as the forum for debating the [Kanab] city council's Natural Family resolution ... we created a different kind of brand for our community. I think every citizen in Utah ... and many beyond ... now have an opinion about Kanab"... Paul Allen notes the 10 reasons he loves to blog... Paul Rolly reports on some political esoterica involving Robin Riggs, Sylvia Anderson, Wayne Niederhauser, Al Mansell, and Nancy Workman... Bloggernacle Times says: "I think much, too much is made about [Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's] religious beliefs, particularly in light of the Constitution’s prohibition of a religious test for public office. This Evangelical 'jihad' against LDS theology is as short sighted as it is dangerous. Mitt is likely more closely aligned with the Evangelical crowd on their social issues than is any of the other popular Republican front runners. Will they really sacrifice their political future on the altar of religious intolerance?"... Utah Senate candidate Jim Bennett remains agnostic about whether, as one of his readers suggests, "alien invaders in the secret employ of the federal government [are] abducting innocent citizens to harvest their precious bodily fluids for sale to the French!"

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

Newsletter Highlights Biotech Industry

The latest weekly EDCUTAH Economic Review newsletter focuses on Utah’s biotechnology industry, and highlights participation earlier this month at the world’s largest biotechnology industry conference.

The conference, held April 9-12 in Chicago, was a big success for EDCUTAH and leaders of nine participating Utah biotech organizations who showcased Utah’s vibrant and burgeoning life sciences industry.

The newsletter also highlights the EDCUTAH board’s opposition to storage of high-level nuclear waste in Utah. 

UTA Commuter Vision Awards

The Utah Transit Authority announces the winners of the 10th annual Commuter Vision Awards, which "recognize excellence in alternative transportation solutions" (see press release); the UTA Board of Trustees announces that Bruce T. Jones has been hired as the agency's general counsel (press release).

Local Watch

Wastewater Treatment Guide

The Utah League of Cities and Towns has posted a PDF file "guide to onsite wastewater treatment for elected officials and city employees." To read it, click here).

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Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
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Utah in the National News

Mitt Romney Watch. Columnist Robert Novak: "To a growing number of Republican activists, [Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney] looks like the party's best bet. But any conversation among Republicans about Romney invariably touches on concerns of whether his Mormon faith disqualifies him for the presidency" (Creators Syndicate); article says Romney's Mormonism is his biggest political hurdle: "[E]ven if he ditches the cheesy [polygamy] jokes and learns to play it cool when he has an ecumenical moment, he'll never be able to offer Mormonism the defense it deserves" (Slate); in speech at the US Chamber of Commerce, Romney defends the Mass. healthcare plan as an unlikely victory for conservatism in a heavily Democratic state (Boston Globe).

Gov. Huntsman participates in the 75th anniversary celebration of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland; Fire Chief Jim Seavey was a boyhood friend of Huntsman's (The Gazette).

Utah would like to press ahead with plans to develop its oil shale deposits (Christian Science Monitor).

Congresswoman wants to bar six states -- North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, New Mexico and Utah -- from allowing workers to use driver's licenses as identification for employment (Knight Ridder).

In preparation for a possible bird flu pandemic, HHS Sec. Mike Leavitt has "become a fanatical researcher of the last pandemic biggie, the 1918 Spanish flu, and how it changed history" -- even enlisting the help of SUU librarians (U.S. News & World Report).

Utah woman on the illegal immigration issue: "My vote will go to the candidate who's the toughest on immigration, whether they're Democrat or Republican. Before, we were pretty much the types of people who would call our congressmen and not take to the streets. But that's all changed now" (Associated Press).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Political leaders gather Friday to oppose N-waste

- A Utah link to terrorism?

- Shawqi Omar in Utah

- $895M for TRAX could land on ballot

- Feds on bomb test: Fret not

- IHC rival bankrolled watchdog

- Hatch, Bennett: Divert war money

- Health insurance gap growing

- Judge tosses rules limiting comment on forest actions

- Quiet, noise battle bias against gays

- Ex-city treasurer in Santa Clara accused of theft

- Most schools plan tests on May 1

- South S.L. tables school district issue

- Proposal to strip Lehi mayor of some of his powers is tabled

- Meat plant incentives OK'd

- Why not visit Utah's backyard

- Editorial: Answers needed: Death in arrest demands investigation

Standard-Examiner

- Model 'plexes

- Incentives OK'd to lure meat plant

St. George Spectrum

- Council votes in favor of most agenda items

Logan Herald Journal

- Mandatory recycling a go

Daily Herald

- Alpine charter school approved

- Editorial: Fighting poverty through education

Davis County Clipper

- Republicans take aim at their own

- Democrats motivated for brighter future

- City heads off development deadlock

- Bountiful votes no to skate ramp regulation

- Davis mayors get early peek at gala for military heroes

- Farmington gets Parkway progress report

- W. Bountiful, Legacy collaborate

- West Bountiful clears statutory pay plan

- Commission hopefuls woo chamber

- National AeA survey says high tech is big business in Utah

Park Record

- PAC formed to fight ballot measure

- Basin woman challenges for Congress

- Raid rumors rock Park City

- Democratic chief arrested for DUI

- Editorial: Political labels may be deceiving

Deseret Morning News

- Reviews of Salt Lake Taser use sought

- Some residents fighting 'family resolution'

- Energy policy ambitious

- Tourists ignorant of Utah

- Cathy Free: Immigrants make move for families

- Lehi puts manager decision on hold

- E-mail poll is legitimate, church says

- Special students perform

- Bennett seeks blast briefing

- E-mails show close Abramoff, Safavian ties

- Real vows to detail costs for stadium

- UTA picks Jones as new counsel

- BYU-Idaho chief talks technology

- Idaho move a stunner

- Incentives OK'd for meat plant in Utah

- Editorial: Cautionary tale on U.S. 6

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Apr 27: Gov. Huntsman KUED Monthly News Conference, 10 a.m., KUED Studios.
- Apr 27: Midday Metro on KCPW 88.3 FM at 10 a.m. will get a first-hand report on political unrest in Nepal from members of Choice Humanitarian; and tackling the talent challenge with Pat Vaughn of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Dennis Woods of vSpring Capital.
- Apr 27: Merrill Cook State Delegate Luncheon, 12 p.m., Famous Dave's BBQ, 7273 S Plaze Drive (Jordan Landing), West Jordan.
- Apr 27: Gov. Huntsman to attend Exporting to China Seminar, 12:30 p.m., Miller Free Enterprise Center, 9750 South 300 West, Sandy.
- Apr 27: Meet the Candidate night with Joe Tucker, 3 p.m., Holladay Library, 2150 East Murray-Holladay Rd.
- Apr 27: Wayne County Democratic Convention, 6 p.m., Bicknell Library and Performing Arts Center, Bicknell. Pete Ashdown to speak at 7 p.m. For more info contact County Chair Brian Swanson 435-979-8786.
- Apr 27: KSL's "Let Me Speak to the Governor," 6 p.m, KSL Studios.
- Apr 27: Meet the Candidate night with Joe Tucker, 6:30 p.m., East Mill Creek Library, 2266 Evergreen Ave.
- Apr 27: Merrill Cook Meet the Candidate, 6:45 p.m., South Jordan Library, 10300 South Beckstead Lane (1575 W), South Jordan.
- Apr 27: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, 3977 Wasatch Blvd., Holladay.
- Apr 27: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Kent Morgan event at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 7 to 9 p.m., 210 East 400 South Salt Lake City.
- Apr 27: Salt Lake County Delegates "Pie Social" hosted by Joe Jarvis, Republican State Senate Dist. #2, 7 to 9 p.m., Marie Callender's, 1313 S. Foothill Drive.
- Apr 27: John Jacob Delegate Meeting, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Magna Library, 8339 W 3500 S, Magna.
- Apr 27: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Lohra Miller Pie and Politics event, 8 to 9:30 p.m., Village Inn. 4681 S. Redwood Road.
- Apr 28: John Jacob Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Village Inn, 933 South University Ave., Provo.
- Apr 28: Merrill Cook State Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Jim's Family Restaurant, 7609 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan.
- Apr 28: State Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, 12 p.m., Salt Lake Library, 210 E. 400 S., Salt Lake City. Holocaust Remembrance Day will be marked by activities, including the Governor’s Proclamation and the lighting of a candle by a Holocaust survivor.
- Apr 28: John Jacob Delegate Lunch, 12 to 1:30 p.m., Sizzler Restaurant, 1240 S State St, Orem.
- Apr 28: Merrill Cook State Delegate Luncheon, 12 p.m., Cracker Barrel, 2283 City Center (Near E Center), West Valley.
- Apr 28: "No Way" to Nuclear Waste Rally with Gov. Huntsman and other community activists, 12 p.m., State Office Building Auditorium, North building, Capitol complex. Participants will have an opportunity to write the BLM, sign a petition and increase public awareness. The Governor will also sign a declaration in support of No Way Day.
- Apr 28: Gov. Huntsman to speak to Graduating Students of Professional Aeronautics, 3 p.m., Hill Air Force Base.
- Apr 28: Cache County Republican Convention, registration at 6 p.m., convention starts at 7 p.m.
- Apr 28: Meet the Candidate night with Joe Tucker, 4:30 p.m., Holladay Library, 2150 East Murray-Holladay Rd.
- Apr 28: Towner for Senate Republican BBQ for all Salt Lake County Delegates in Senate District 2, 5 to 7 p.m., Liberty Park, North East Pavilion. To RSVP, call 801-502-9134 or send email to towner4utah@msn.com.
- Apr 28: Emery County Democratic Convention, 6 p.m., Museum of the San Rafael, 96 North 100 East, Castle Dale. Pete Ashdown to speak. For more info contact County Chair Gary Petty at 435-286-2395.
- Apr 28: Washington County Jefferson/Jackson Dinner, 7 to 10 p.m., Dixie Convention Center, New Garden Room, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George. Speaker is Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County Mayor and Howard Dean's cousin. Prime rib, no host bar. Only 400 pre-sold tickets at $35.00. Contact Cyril Noble at 435-229-1281.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List