News Highlights

Rep. Chris Cannon and his 3rd District challenger John Jacob agree to face off in a series of debates (Deseret Morning News).

In his midyear budget adjustment, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon requests two new county positions: an environmental coordinator to promote things such as recycling and xeriscaping, and an emergency-preparedness director to plan for "The Big One" (Salt Lake Tribune).

Sen. Orrin Hatch will speak tonight at fundraising event and one-year celebration of Maliheh Free Clinic, which has served patients in nearly 9,000 office visits (Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"I'm committed, but I know my neck is out. I ran for county mayor and lost. People think this is Ivory's next folly."

-- Ellis Ivory, a retired developer, who faces a tough job as board chair of This is the Place Foundation, which oversees the financially-troubled This is the Place Heritage Park (Tribune).

Taxpayers Association June Newsletter

The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted a PDF file of its June newsletter. This month's edition features, among other things, a column by Assoc. Pres. Howard Stephenson on tax and education reform, and a piece that explains why toll roads are not a form of double taxation. In the long run, says the article, imposing tolls will cost taxpayers less than raising general taxes for highways.

Campaign Tip

In Elections, Details Matter

By Maura Carabello

At the Exoro Group we often tell campaign workers that elections are won by the hundreds of little actions that alone might seem insignificant, but in totality make the difference in the election outcome.  

Being detail-oriented is different than thinking small. It means taking the big picture and breaking it down into all the individual items that turn concepts into actions. Being able to take a large plan and break it into categories, timelines, weeks, days, tasks, phone calls, daily to-dos, appointments, etc., without ever losing sight of the big picture is a crucial skill that every campaign needs. Many campaigns can’t seem to take the big picture and turn it into action items that can be executed on a timely basis to meet key deadlines. In a tough race, those campaigns usually lose.

A good example of a campaigner who really pays attention to detail is Congressman Jim Matheson. The Matheson for Congress congressional campaigns are textbook detail work. No angle is overlooked, no vote is left uncontested, and there is no straying from the well-developed game plan.  

If you are working on a campaign or running for an office, and you don’t have a detailed time-line/calendar, field, budget, fund-raising plan, communications strategy, etc., you must make a detailed plan your top priority. With the stress and short time period of campaigns, if your plan is not written in detail it probably won’t happen. And if you can’t take care of the seemingly small and insignificant details, the larger goals will be difficult to reach. To winners, details really matter.

Washington Watch

Fund: Utah Race Tests Immigration Issue

Columnist John Fund says "a GOP primary for a Utah House seat in the country's most conservative congressional district may set the boundaries for any legislation that has a chance of passing both the [U.S.] House and Senate. Illegal immigration is the key issue in the race, and should five-term incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon of Provo lose to a restrictionist challenger, look for House Republicans to dig in their heels and block any bill that creates a path to citizenship for illegal aliens."  Fund adds: “Right now, things don't look good for the Utah Republican. His standing among party activists has clearly been weakened by the images of recent mass demonstrations of illegal aliens. In the final round of voting at the GOP state convention two weeks ago, Mr. Cannon was outpolled, 52% to 48%, by political newcomer John Jacob.” (OpinionJournal).

Matheson: Test Delay Right Move

Rep. Jim Matheson says the Nevada Test Site Office's decision to delay the Divine Strake bomb test "is in keeping with his request to federal officials for more research into potential environmental hazards that may pose a risk to Utahns" (see press release).

Christensen: Bush still an Asset

Article on Pres. Bush's GOP fundraising efforts quotes Rep. LaVar Christensen, who says "he 'absolutely would love' to book a public appearance with Bush or the first lady" -- in spite of Bush's low approval ratings -- as he gears up to challenge for Rep. Matheson's 2nd District Seat (The Hill).

Podcast Watch

Interview with Brad Daw
Imagine Podcast, produced by LDS author Candace E. Salima, has posted an interview with Rep. Brad Daw of Orem. Imagine covers a wide range of LDS topics, including the occasional interview with LDS politicians. To download the podcast click here.

Blog Watch

Reach Upward has a couple excellent posts, one on this Stanley Kurtz piece on polygamy's incompatibility with democracy, the other on this John Fund piece about Utah's 3rd District race between Rep. Chris Cannon and John Jacob and its implications for national immigration policy (see also here, here, and here)... At One Utah, Mayor Rocky Anderson posts "a speech I gave upon being recognized as a distinguished alumnus of the College of Humanities at the University of Utah. In the speech, I stress the importance of understanding and effectively addressing instances of injustice and genocide in today’s world"... Bloglet says: "I think we ought to lobby Congress to amend the constitution to make Mormon Temple marriages unconstitutional. Because really, those secret rituals are kind of creepy and not very much in the keeping with traditional marriage"... Utah Peak Oil says: "It always amuses me to hear public officials praise mass transit and walkable communities. Of course those are good things, but honestly, when was the last time you saw your city's mayor waiting at a bus stop? Do your city council members walk or use mass transit to get to the store/work/church/city hall on at least a semi-regular basis? Probably not"... The Tom Barberi Show says: "Senator Bob Bennett must be hurting for cash so much, he actually thought Guantanamo Bay was the equivalent of Club Med ... it's bad form for the Senator to be comparing a prison camp to a luxury resort because it gives the wrong impression about how we are handling terrorists. It also shows that his ability to communicate to citizens on a human, non-millionaire level is seriously lacking"... The World, According to Me says the Trib's Out of Context is "the world's second-worst blog"... Wonkette says: "Utah: we don’t get it. Is everyone there preternaturally friendly and white, or just the ones they allow the rest of us to see? Case in point: the 'DC notebook' column of the Salt Lake Tribune. It is ostensibly written in the style of a 'gossip column,' but every item is about how much everyone in the Utah congressional delegation is preternaturally friendly and how they all like one another" (see also here and here).

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

New Libertarian Party Website

The Libertarian Party of Utah has redesigned its website. To check out the new look, click here.

'Downtown Rising' Initiative Meeting

The Salt Lake Chamber is hosting a public meeting tonight at 7 pm at SLC's Main Library to discuss its Downtown Rising intitiative -- "a business-led, regional collaboration effort to create a long-range vision for downtown Salt Lake City." Panelists include Robert Grow, Founder of Envision Utah, and Chris Roybal, Senior Economic Advisor for Gov. Huntsman.  For more info, click here.

Elected Officials Birthday List

Utah Policy Daily is a service
of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Luci Hollingshead

Advertising: Jenn Wheelwright

Utah Policy Daily
American Plaza III, Suite 105
47 West 200 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801.537.0900 Office
801.537.0901 Fax

Special E-Mail Messages: Utah Policy Daily may send subscribers e-mails with information about new features, special offers, or messages on public policy issues from clients and advertisers. If you do not wish to ever receive these e-mails, please let us know by e-mail at daily@utahpolicy.com.

Utah in the National News

Conservative columnist Stanley Kurtz offers "a case against polygamy. That case will take us back in time and around the world. It will allow us to compare, on the one hand, the traditional patriarchal polygamy of many tribal peoples, Muslims, and nineteenth-century Mormons with, on the other hand, the free-form plural marriage advocated by 'diversity' radicals today. Along the way, it will cast light not only on our domestic debates about marriage, but also on the war on terror and even the meaning of democracy itself" (Weekly Standard).

Shmuley Boteach recounts Elie Wiesel's visit to Utah last week to speak at Snow College (Jerusalem Post).

Proposed legislation that would give D.C. a vote in Congress and Utah a 4th congressional seat seems to be gaining momentum (Boston Globe).

Salt Lake Tribune

- This Is the Place: Developer struggles to support years of gung-ho expansion

- Deal halts Great Salt Lake gas, oil leases

- Sandy schools secession idea alive and well

- Corroon wants to add 2 positions

- Chaffetz takes spot on UVSC trustee board

- S. Salt Lake tired of crime rate

- S.L. City Council discusses I-80 changes

- Parent rebuffed in objections to content of student newspaper

- Advocates seek hearing on dental care for poor

- Summit Demo chairman pleads not guilty to array of charges

- USU to welcome USTAR recruits

- Ogden turns down office space funding

- Wall Street contests new stock law

Standard-Examiner

- Davis County Conference Center to get cost analysis

Daily Herald

- Utah delegation doesn't like raising debt limit

- Lindon joins Orem in district inquiry

- Editorial: Searching for missing persons

KCPW

- University of Utah researcher on election reform

- Power down to preserve energy

- Drug-free zones laws questioned

- Utah's online HS could go national

Deseret Morning News

- Cannon, Jacob agree to debates

- Hatch's aid sought on medical issue

- Gays fighting marriage amendment

- Alpine District may lose Lindon

- Schools study gets Sandy OK

- Alpine District recognized for meeting students' needs

- Highland realigns trail to end tiff

- Auditors say RDA is too unfocused

- Clinic links poor to the medical care they need

- Legislator vows to revive bill on drug overdoses

- USU working to lure out-of-staters

- Ex-Huntsman aide joining UVSC board

- Correction: Mark Towner

- Op-ed: Tooele disposal site is success

- Editorial: Harry Reid and free tickets

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- May 31: Planning and Zoning Seminar in Provo, repeated three times at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., Tahitian Noni Headquarters Auditorium, 5151 North 300 West, Provo. This is a free three hour presentation by the Property Rights Ombudsman on land use regulation and changes by the 2006 legislature. Continuing Education credit for professionals available.  Call 801-731-5399 for more information.
- May 31: Education Forum to release the new Envision Utah toolbox -“Brownfield Redevelopment Solutions,” 9 to 11 a.m., Wells Fargo Building (23rd Floor) Downtown. The cost of the education forum is $50 which includes admittance to the forum, a continental breakfast, and all toolbox materials.  To reserve your spot please RSVP to Mary Davies at mdavies@cuf-envision.org, or 801-303-1459.
- May 31: Special Districts Subcommittee of the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee, 9 a.m., room W125.
- May 31: Envision Utah forum on Brownfield Redevelopment in Salt Lake City, 9 a.m., 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building, 299 South Main Street.  $50 registration fee includes new toolbox. Must pre-register at 801-303-1462 or kfayles@cuf-envision.org by Friday, May 26th.
- May 31: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM: Dr. Christopher Reveley on his recent trip to Liberia for Doctors without Borders; and Mark Skousen on “The Compleated Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin.” An economist and sixth-generation grandson of Franklin, Skousen compiled and edited the book. He’ll be in town this week to read from the book as part of the Founding Father’s 300th birthday commemoration.
- May 31: Gov. Huntsman Conservation Convention Press Announcement, 11 a.m., Governor's Board Room.
- May 31: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Veteran Salon.com writer Michelle Goldberg argues that America is undergoing a cultural revolution -- a fevered religious radicalism where every political issue is a battle between good and evil. In her new book "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism," Goldberg examines the structure of the religious right, the debates that are fueling its growth and the ramifications of a truly Christian nation.

- May 31: Pete Ashdown to speak at the Holladay Rotary Club, 12 p.m., Cottonwood Country Club, 1780 East Lakewood Drive (5420 South).
- May 31: Gov. Huntsman ceremonial bill signing for SB 8 and SCR 1, 12:30 p.m., Evergreen Junior High School, 3401 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City.
- May 31: Lt. Gov. Herbert to attend Jordan Valley Water Plant Open House, 2 p.m., Bingham Canyon Water Treatment Plant, 8000 West Old Bingham Highway (10200 South), West Jordan.
- May 31: Pride 2006 OUT for Equality, 5 to 7 p.m., Landis Salon, 1298 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Special guests include Salt Lake County candidates for State Senate & Utah Board of Education.
- May 31: Washington County Republican Party Special Central Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., County Administration Building, St. George. The meeting is to determine names that will be submitted to the County Commissioners for an interim County Treasurer due to the resignation of Linda Larsen.
- June 1: Washington County Republican Women Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Bloomington Country Club, St. George.  State Legislators will report on the special session and preview bills they are working on for the 2007 session.  RSVP by calling Chris at 435-628-0398.
- June 1: Veterans Town Hall Meeting, 5:30 p.m., St. George (tentative location Utah National Guard Armory).
- June 1: Town Meeting with LaVar Christensen, Candidate for Congress in Utah's 2nd District, 7 p.m., Commission Chambers room in the County Administration Building, St. George. The public is encouraged to attend.
- June 1: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., Davis County Courthouse, Commission Chambers, 28 East State Street, Farmington. Special guest speakers include; Rob Miller, candidate for County Commissioner, Seat A; Chris Martenez, candidate for County Commissioner, seat B; Richard Watson, candidate for State Representative, District 19.  All Davis Democrats and the public are urged to attend.
- June 3: Utah Women's Democratic Club Luncheon presents A Historical Sketch of Utah Women in Politics with Katherine MacKay, History Professor at Weber State University, 11:45 a.m., Olio's Restaurant, Sheraton City Centre, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City. For details and to register, call 801-596-2326, email jccoffey1954@aol.com, or visit www.utdemocrats.org. The luncheon will be $15 at the door.
- June 3: Ronald Reagan Memorial Barbeque, 6 p.m., the bowery next to Layton Surf and Swim, Layton. Sponsored by the Davis County Republican Party and the Teenage Republicans. The cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Please bring a salad, chips, or dessert to share. Please RSVP to missionparis@comcast.net.
- June 3: Salt Lake Chambers Seventh Annual Salt Lake Military Salute, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner and program, Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Keynote speaker will be Atlantic correspondent and best-selling author, Robert D. Kaplan.  His topic is “The Global War on Terror: The Ground Level Truth, and the Ground Level Future.” For more info visit www.saltlakechamber.org, call 801-328-5053 or email military@saltlakechamber.org.

- See the entire calendar