News Highlights

Big showdown today at SL County Council meeting on the Sandy soccer stadium and downtown arts projects. All sorts of possible deals are in the works. (Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune). Tribune compilation of where the votes are and Tribune editorial says convoluted stadium deal deserves a red card.

Only one Utah lawmaker who is leaving office in January will be attending a legislative convention this summer -- a clear change from election years past (Morning News).

Sen. Orrin Hatch's decision to help a famed R&B music producer out of a four-year jail sentence for possession of cocaine in the United Arab Emirates raises questions with some Utahns (Tribune).

Quote of the Day

"Let's end this grotesque charade."

-- Democratic SL County Council member Joe Hatch, commenting on the frenzy of backroom deals related to the Sandy soccer stadium and downtown arts projects (Tribune).

News Media Watch

Interesting column by Jack Shafer, The Incredible Shrinking Newspaper in Slate.com. “Whatever you do, don't mistake the decline of newspapers with the decline of journalism,” says Shafer. “As much as people may have given up the newspaper habit, their appetite for news has become insatiable, news companies are learning.” He argues that newspapers will become niche publications, some quite successful, others less so, in a wide media world with lots of players.

One of the most difficult things policymakers have to do is establish priorities – focusing the biggest effort and the most public resources (tax dollars) on the issues and problems that have the biggest payback in public good. That’s very difficult for policymakers to do, especially at the congressional level, where enormous attention and resources get thrown at whatever high-profile, politically-correct, flavor-of-the-month problem comes along, while more important and more fundamental problems are ignored.

Bright Idea: Prioritize Public Policy

The Wall Street Journal recently published a fascinating column  by Kimberly Strassel, featuring Bjorn Lomborg, a "self-avowed slight lefty" Danish political scientist, who has come up with an actual process to prioritize public problems. He holds seminars around the world for politicians on how to identify those issues and problems in which investments of effort and resources can really make a difference.

“This once-obscure Dane has in recent years risen to the status of international celebrity as the chief advocate of getting leaders to realize the world has limited resources to fix its problems, and that it therefore needs to prioritize,” wrote Strassel.

Lomborg has run exercises with top leaders where he forces them to look realistically at cost-benefit factors and prioritize spending on such issues as HIV/AIDS, health care, cleaner water, global warming, poverty issues, more schools, better nutrition, etc.

Interestingly, in most all of these exercises, whether conducted with economists or policymakers, when forced to really choose what makes a difference, global warming sinks to the bottom of the list, Lomborg said.

“The numbers were just so compelling: $1 spent preventing HIV/AIDS would result in about $40 of social benefits, so the economists put it at the top of the list (followed by malnutrition, free trade and malaria). In contrast, $1 spent to abate global warming would result in only about two cents to 25 cents worth of good; so that project dropped to the bottom.”

Washington Watch

Hatch Announces Grant Availability

Sen. Orrin Hatch encourages "educators to apply for job-training grants from the $125 million available this year from the Department of Labor (DOL), as part of President Bush's American Competitiveness Initiative. The DOL will award approximately 75 grants between $500,000 and $2 million for training in high-growth/demand industries through community and technical colleges" (see press release).

Matheson: 100% GI Bill for Reservists

Article mentions Rep. Jim Matheson's efforts to secure for Guard and Reserve troops who have accrued 24 months of active service within the last five years 100% eligibility for GI Bill education benefits (Cox News Service).

Kempthorne OKs Utah Project $$

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne approves $1.3 million in Water 2025 Challenge Grants for water conservation projects across the West, including two projects in Utah (see press release).

Blog Watch

UNCoRRELATED says of Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's Mormonism: "I really doubt that [GOP] rivals for the ['08 presidential] nomination will pull a Ted Kennedy and attempt to slime Romney for his religious afflication -- Mormons are simply too important to the party to alienate in this way. Should Romney actually succeed in winning the nomination, the Democrats will have no compunctions about demonizing Mormons, but I think you'll see something very interesting an unprecedented as a result -- Evangelical leaders rising to the defense of a Mormon candidate" (see also here, here, here, here, and here)... Kim Christison says: "The easy assurances that ranchers, farmers, and environmentalists received from Utah lawmakers that they would proceed with studied caution -- no deadlines attached -- on plans to pump water from the Snake Valley to Las Vegas were apparently empty, as empty as the aquifers in the Snake and Spring Valleys stand to be unless someone with some political backbone in Utah stands up to the Southern Nevada Water Authority and its crony, [Sen.] Harry Reid"... Phil Windley says of Sen. Orrin Hatch: "Don't you wish he took as big an interest in what Utah's high-tech industry needs to thrive as he does in getting druggies out of jail?"... Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "[Salt Lake Mayor] Rocky [Anderson] is going to protest the President. Yawn. I'm sorry for even noticing. But I think it does illustrate why Rocky is such an ineffective mayor. He seems to be bored by the mundane idea of actually accomplishing anything. Rather, he is consumed by looking like he is fighting great battles. Of course, if he cared about raising concerns with the President, he'd meet with him and raise his concerns. Mayors of great cities do it all the time. But, Rocky is not interested in raising concerns with the President. People wouldn't see it. And he needs the audience" (see also here and here).

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

Utah in the National News

Another article mentions Senate candidate Pete Ashdown's campaign wiki (The Hill).

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Wings of lame ducks clipped

- Soccer site options brewing

- Barrier to Wal-Mart bank?

- Business College moves a few blocks

- West Nile found in 2 more mosquito pools

- Discussion today on Davis tax bonds

- Is Nevada pressing Utah for a water accord?

- U.S. House OKs Park City land transfer

- USU, Education Network hail new Net connection

Standard-Examiner

- Beefing up Utah's revenues

St. George Spectrum

- Beaver council looks at change in city ordinance

- Panguitch City Council to discuss water rates, northwest annexation

- Editorial: Draft bill offers solution

Daily Herald

- West Nile virus found in Lehi

KSL Editorial Board

- Accelerate smoking ban

Logan Herald Journal

- USU Innovation Campus gets connected

KCPW

- School kids to profit from planned community in St. George

- Aquarium still hoping for bond on November ballot

- Fate of stadium may lie in Tuesday meeting

- Salt Lake, Utah Counties to finalize primary election results

Salt Lake Tribune

- Hatch role in helping man avoid drug term hits a nerve

- Stadium price tag may sink the deal

- Stadium vote: who stands where

- $34.3M aquarium unlikely to make November ballot

- Economic development official will take on a similar post at USU

- Holladay tethers the monsters

- House grants Park City open space

- Borders bookstore to close

- Wal-Mart rumors have Moab on offensive

- Editorial: Red card: Numbers for Sandy stadium don't add up

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- July 11: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM features Rick Sprott, Director of Utah’s Division of Air Quality, on the local impact of new Federal Clean Air standards; Bill Tibbitts, Director of the Anti-Hunger Action Committee, on his petition for a state constitutional amendment mandating basic health care for all Utah citizens; and David Irvine, a Retired Army Reserve Brigadier General, on what he sees as a lack of accountability among U.S. military commanders given the latest accusations of rape and murder by U.S. servicemen.
- July 11: Gov. Huntsman to attend US ASEAN Reception & Dinner, 6 p.m., Park Hyatt Washington.
- July 12: Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, 2 p.m., room W020.
- July 12: Special Districts Subcommittee of the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee, 2 p.m., room W125.
- July 12: Emily for Utah Senate District 28 Birthday Bash, 7:00 p.m., 204 S. Ridge Road, Cedar City. For more information see here.
- July 13: Pete Ashdown to speak at Utah Valley Exchange Club, 7:30 a.m., Mimi's Cafe, 304 East University Parkway, Orem.
- July 13: Water Issues Task Force, 9 a.m., Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
- July 13: Gov. Huntsman to tour The House of Hope, 11:15 a.m., 857 East 200 South, Salt Lake City.
- July 14: Gov. Huntsman to give remarks at Motion Picture Luncheon,12:15 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 255 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City.
- July 14: Utah Tax Review Commission, 1 p.m., room W125.
- July 14: Desert Greens Party of Utah Summer Recycling and Utah Food Bank Campaign, 5:30 to 9 p.m., 2144 South Highland Drive, Sugarhouse. For more information see www.gput.org/events.shtml.
- July 15: Green Party Honk 'n' Wave for Peace "U.S. Out of Iraq, Now," featuring Bob Brister, Green Candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, 9 to 10 a.m., NW corner, intersection of 700 E and 2100 S, Salt Lake City. For more information see www.bristerforcongress.org.
- July 17-19: Lt Gov. Herbert to attend the National Lieutenant Governor's Association Conference, Seattle, Washington.
- July 17: Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee, 9 a.m., room W135.
- July 18: Executive Appropriations Committee, 1 p.m., room W135.
- July 18: Legislative Management Committee, 3 p.m., room W135.
- July 18: Utah House Republican Caucus Annual Bowler's Ball Fundraiser, meet and greet at 6 p.m., bowling at 7 p.m., Shepherd’s All Star Lanes, 1776 W. 7800 South, West Jordan. Prizes for best team score and best dressed bowling team. Four-team sponsorship is $1,250; individual tickets, $400. RSVP to Mary Blase by July 12 at 801-318-6307 or bowling@alexanders.com.
- July 19: Legislative meetings throughout day, see legislative calendar for details.
- July 19: "Meet and Greet" the eight Democratic Candidates, or their representatives, for the 2006 General Election in Washington County, 6 p.m., Springdale Town Hall, 118 Lion Blvd., Springdale. Sponsored by the Washington County Democratic Executive Committee. Open to the Public.
- July 21: Desert Greens Party of Utah Summer Recycling and Utah Food Bank Campaign, 5:30 to 9 p.m., 2144 South Highland Drive, Sugarhouse. For more information see www.gput.org/events.shtml.
- July 22: Pete Ashdown speaking at 7 Year Anniversary Show at Kilby Court, 7 p.m., 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West). $5 cover charge. Visit www.kilbycourt.com for more information.
- July 24: Lt. Gov. Herbert to participate in the Days of '47 Parade, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Salt Lake City.
- July 25: Lt. Gov. Herbert to address the Bear River Association of Governments, 1 p.m., Garden City.
- July 27: Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake Chamber "Downtown Connection / Business After Hours" networking social event, 5 to 7 p.m., Panache Restaurant, Second Floor of the Wells Fargo Center, 299 S. Main Street. Cost is $12 for Chamber members and Downtown Alliance businesses. For more information and to register, visit the Salt Lake Chamber's website or call Jackie Sexton at 801-328-5053.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List

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