News Highlights

Article looks at the occupations of Utah's 241 mayors (Deseret Morning News).

Utah’s Neumont University is attracting attention of high-tech employers (Morning News).

Salt Lake Tribune editorial says Legislature should help fund collaborative effort to teach Navajo young people computer skills and help them earn high school diplomas via distance learning.

Quote of the Day

“USTAR may be one of the most visionary and necessary initiatives this state has seen, but without fixing the educational system that prepares our students for the new economy, it just may fall short of its great ambitions.”

-- Columnist John Florez, who argues that passing USTAR was only half the job (Morning News).

The Week Ahead

Ah, summertime. Good old hot, sweaty, gritty summer. It’s hot, but it’s supposed to be hot in mid-July. I grew up in west Orem hauling hay, weeding gardens, and picking fruit on days like we’re having now (with plenty of time left over for fishing). Summer was one big enjoyable sunburn for me, which is why I’ll probably die of skin cancer. Autumn will be here soon enough. The mountains are still cool, and are only a short drive away for a quick escape.

State legislators will be hanging out at the Capitol this week as a total of 15 committees will be meeting, most on Interim Day on Wednesday. A wide variety of issues will be discussed. Check out the agendas, meetings times and locations at the Legislature’s calendar page.

Monday Musing

Politicians Trying to do Too Much

In a July 13 Wall Street Journal column, Peggy Noonan says one of the reasons our national political leadership can’t seem to solve the most pressing issues facing the country is that we are simply asking too much of them. The column is headlined, “The Complexity Crisis.” Says Noonan:

“We are asking our politicians, our senators and congressmen, to make judgments, decisions and policy on: stem cell research, SDI, NATO composition, G-8 agreements, the history and state of play of judicial and legislative actions regarding press freedoms, the history of Sunni-Shiites tensions, Kurds, tax rates, federal spending, hurricane prediction and response, the building of a library annex in Missoula, the most recent thinking on when human life begins, including the thinking of the theologians of antiquity on when the soul enters the body, chemical weaponry, the Supreme Court, U.S.-North Korean relations, bioethics, cloning, public college curriculums, India-Pakistan relations, the enduring Muslim-Hindu conflict, the constitutional implications of McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, Homeland security, Securities and Exchange Commission authority, energy policy, environmental policy, nuclear proliferation, global warming, the stability of Venezuela's Chavez regime and its implications for U.S. oil prices, the future of Cuba after Castro, progress in gender bias as suggested by comparisons of the number of girls who pursued college-track studies in American public high schools circa 1950 to those on a college-track today, outsourcing, immigration, the comparative efficacy of charter and magnet schools, land use, Kelo, health care, HMO's, what to do with victims of child abuse, the history of marriage, the nature and origin of homosexuality, V-chips, foreign competition in the making of computer chips, fat levels in potato chips, national policy on the humanities, U.N. reform, and privacy law. And that was just this week.”

I agree with Noonan that our politicians are trying to do too much. They are dealing with many matters that ought to be left to the private sector or to individuals and families. But I’m surprised that Noonan didn’t suggest, as at least a partial solution, the devolution of some of those responsibilities to the state level. It seems the country’s leading politicians and journalists have forgotten all about federalism and the proper balance between the federal and state governments so carefully crafted by the founders.

At least a dozen of the matters mentioned by Noonan above could be handled, all or in part, at the state level, leaving the federal government to deal with truly national issues. The job description for our federal lawmakers is just too expansive. We expect them to deal with every problem or concern known to man. No wonder they fail. A return to proper federalism would make their jobs much more doable. Why is no one talking about federalism?

Keep Commerce Rolling

The Economic Development Corporation of Utah’s weekly newsletter, the Economic Review, reports this week that Utah’s neighboring states, most notably Phoenix and Denver, are embarking on massive mass transit and highway programs, including Denver’s $4.5 billion FasTracks initiative and a whopping $16 billion combined highway and transit funding program in the Phoenix area, while Utah could face a transportation meltdown by the year 2030. At current funding levels, Utahns face a $21.3 billion transportation-funding gap—the difference between current revenue and anticipated need. In fact, the needs are so large that neither existing, nor a single funding source will solve the problem.  Read the full newsletter here.

Blog Watch

State School Board member Tim Beagley joins the ranks of bloggers with a post on education funding… At the Senate Site Blog, Sen. Pres. John Valentine says of Al Mansell, who's retiring from the Senate: "Al will be remembered by his colleagues for sincerely caring about good public policy; being tough on the outside but having genuine compassion on the inside. His ability to grasp complex issues quickly and come to a rapid decision was phenomenal. Thank you, Al, for your friendship and 12 years of service to Utah. You will be sorely missed"... Congressional candidate Christian Burridge says: "They used to call democrats tax and spend liberals. I think it is worse to be a borrow and spend neo-con. At least the democrats of old would pay for their programs as they went along instead of passing their debts on to their grandchildren"... Making a Mockery says of Mayor Rocky Anderson's plans to stage a protest when Pres. Bush visits Utah next month: "I guess Rocky is above professional courtesy just like he is above representing the voters of Salt Lake. If nothing else Rocky Anderson should give respect to the Office of the President"... Jen's Green Journal praises Jason Groenewold, departing director of HEAL Utah... Hot Blava explains why Congress shouldn't raise the minimum wage... Weblogsky says: "I've been waiting to see a clueful blogger run for office, and here he is: Pete Ashdown, who's running against Orrin Hatch in Utah. Ashdown's set up a MediaWiki-based Collaboration Wiki. He's actually asking for input on policy, which never happens (because, my pals who are political consultants tell me, you have to focus on MONEY, not POLICY, til you've won the election). I'm eager to see whether Ashdown will stay with the wiki and do something useful with the feedback" (see also here)... Rural Blogging says: "Seventeen ranchers from near Cedar City are working with The Nature Conservancy to preserve nearly 15,000 acres of private ranchland for agricultural use ... I applaud this initiative as an example of the kind of collaboration needed in rural Utah"... Congressional candidate Bob Brister says: "It is becoming apparent that there is a political quid pro quo going on between Nevada and Utah politicians. The deal is this: Utah politicians turn their backs on residents of the West Desert and allow Nevada to mine the aquifer underneath Snake Valley to send water to Las Vegas. In return, Nevada (i.e. Sen. Harry Reid) will support the Bennett/Matheson bill to sell off 40 square miles of our public land in Washington County and build a pipeline to bring water from shrinking Lake Powell to St. George. This will make some speculators and developers in Las Vegas and St. George rich(er)"... Article VI Blog says of Mormons automatically voting for Mormon candidates like Mass. Gov. and likely '08 presidential candidate Mitt Romney: "I suspect that some (perhaps many) Mormons would vote for a candidate just because he/she is Mormon, all other things being equal. I also think the same is true for devout adherents of any faith -- Catholic, evangelical, Adventist, Jewish ... The reality is that 'all other things' are rarely equal. I would never vote for Harry Reid, for example, even though I understand he is a devout Mormon ... My life-long experience as a politically active Mormon is that my co-religionists are very practical about voting. They want to elect public officials with whom they agree on the issues; Mormonism is a secondary consideration" (see also here, here, here, and here).

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

SUWA Hails Lease Sale Decision

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance announces: "An oil and gas lease sale previously scheduled to be held this summer by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and Sovereign Lands ... of a 17 acre parcel beneath the bed of the Green River and adjacent to Dinosaur National Monument in northeastern Utah has been cancelled. Following broad public opposition to the sale, the Division decided to withdraw the lands from leasing for an indefinite period." Says SUWA's Stephen Bloch: "We are pleased that the Division withdrew this spectacular stretch of the Green River from oil and gas leasing. The Division's decision fits with its own management plans for this area which recognize that this stretch of the River is more important for recreation, wildlife, and scenic values than for oil and gas development" (see press release).

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Utah in the National News

Article profiles Maryland Lt. Gov. candidate Kristen Cox, a Mormon and former Utahn (Baltimore Sun).

Denver is lobbying to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. "We're ... casting it," says Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, "as a regional bid -- Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Kansas -- we look at it as a place focusing on the Midwest and the West" (Rocky Mountain News).

Article looks at Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's Mormonism (Religion News Service).

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Mayors: all walks of life

- Town casts wary eye on yurts

- Bush veto likely in stem-cell fight

- School catches eyes of major employers

- Cedar Hills is teeing up

- John Florez: Prepare Utah's students for USTAR jobs

- Editorial: Unfurl welcome mat, Rocky

Standard-Examiner

- Editorial: Senator to the rescue

- Editorial: The spotlight chaser

Salt Lake Tribune

- Taxpayers foot bill for immigrant health care

- Voters had pick of spotty histories

- Chinese, Arabic classes planned

- Editorial: Web break: Legislature should help fund online program for Navajos

Sunday, July 16

Salt Lake Tribune

- If RSL likes the new plan, it sure isn't saying

- Hatch helps the regular guy, too

- Off the Agenda: Checketts off base on claim about Bees' ballpark lease

- Ex-NFL lineman moves to tackle city government

- Laptop porn tied to mayor's resignation

- Sewage plant loses in court

- In SLC, the planes run on time

- George Pyle: St. George junket offered to Tribune

- Op-ed: We need lawmakers who will defend wild resources

- Op-ed: My vote against stadium funding was a vote for the taxpayers

- Op-ed: Sen. Bennett and Rep. Matheson: Diverse demands addressed in public lands legislation

- Op-ed: It's clear that biology influences sexual orientation

- Editorial: The Thumb

- Editorial: Slow the flow: Still no reason to hurry Snake water deal

Daily Herald

- Last Rights

- Congressional incumbents lead challengers in fundraising

- Editorial: Hatch picked wrong battle

Standard-Examiner

- Access laws try to keep up with electronic age

- Porn on city laptop

- Made in Utah

Logan Herald Journal

- Greener by degrees

- Hyrum residents assured water safe

St. George Spectrum

- Dixie labor market 'tight'

- Wages behind housing costs

- Editorial: Compromise bill must pass

Deseret Morning News

- Lands bill: For preservation or profit?

- Sizing up Utah treasures

- Ranchers band together to stave off development

- Lee Benson: Checketts' problem? Wrong ball

- Eminent domain may fix I-15 impasse

- Pignanelli & Webb: Political storms may undermine special sessions

- Op-ed: 'Pretend economics' -- waste of county time

- Editorial: Net gambling enslaves

Saturday, July 15

Deseret Morning News

- Hatch campaign rolling in dough

- Real done playing with Salt Lake County?

- Utah film industry riding high after a 'huge year'

- State has starring role: figures for 2005-06

- Stores criticized over adult videos

- Mansell retires early from the Senate

- Justices to hear nuclear waste case

- Utahn discounts date for signing water deal

- Rocky wins OK to push Fairpark soccer stadium

- Basin counties finish 'essential' water study

- Feds fund 2 Utah water projects

- Editorial: Thumbs up for Voting Rights

- Editorial: Preterm births challenging

Standard-Examiner

- Costs put pinch on Top of Utah construction

Park Record

- Democrats expect explosive meeting

- Have a drink, Randy: promoter beats charges

- Chamber annual meeting a wealth of gratitude

- Editorial: Sometimes, justice does prevail

St. George Spectrum

- Meeting ends on late, sour note

- Local businesses staying alive

- Regents carry on search for SUU president

- Commission approves New Urbanism development

KCPW

- Former senate president resigns

- Utah officials take action against low voter turnout

- State agencies brace for senior explosion

- Interns plus volunteers equal efficient election spending

- Navajo Nation gains new freedom from federal regulation

Daily Herald

- Geneva developer: We'd buy team

- Cedar Hills working to address residents' safety concerns

KSL Editorial Board

- REAL Salt Lake

Salt Lake Tribune

- The price of oil: How high will it go?

- Stadium schemes keep on coming

- Rep. Matheson holds big money edge

- Reader Advocate: Staying on top -- and ahead -- of news technology

- Uncertain future: A grocer at The Gateway

- Software glitches hold up food voucher program

- Company says riverbank breach breaks law

- Tax commissioner reappointed, has more time to push Internet tax idea

- Smaller school districts may be step closer

- 1st New Orleans visit: The senator from Utah expresses shock at the scope of the devastation

- Q-word drives out Holladay citizen advisers

- Utah agency: No drilling by the dino park

- Jammin' -- film spending in Utah up 32%

- Utah businesses to meet with Southeast Asian delegation

Elected Officials Birthday List

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- July 17-19: Lt. Gov. Herbert to attend the National Lieutenant Governor's Association Conference, Seattle, Washington.
- July 17: Gov. Huntsman to give welcoming Remarks at Chemical Producers & Distributors Association, 8 a.m., Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City.
- July 17: Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee, 9 a.m., room W135.
- July 17: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM features conversations with Palmer DePaulis, the new executive director of the Utah Department of Community and Culture; GOED’s Brett Heimberger on this week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Conference; and at 10:30 on The Bottomlime – Mayor Bob Gray on urban renewal in South Salt Lake. Email questions or comments to midday@kcpw.org.
- July 17: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "Fight Club Politics," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Partisan politics may be nothing new, but the extent to which it defines the inner workings of congress may surprise you. In her new book "Fight Club Politics," Wall Street Journal reporter Juliet Eilperin looks at how representatives' dedication to their party has surpassed their commitment to their constituents.
- July 17: Gov. Huntsman to visit Navajo Nation Tribal Council, 12:15 a.m., Window Rock, AZ.
- July 18: Gov. Huntsman to give speech at Nature Conservancy, 1 p.m., Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City.
- July 18: Executive Appropriations Committee, 1 p.m., room W135.
- July 18: Legislative Management Committee, 3 p.m., room W135.
- July 18: Gov. Huntsman to give welcome at US-ASEAN Conference, 5:30 p.m., Governor's Board Room and attend US-ASEAN State Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Governor's Mansion.
- 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: Gov. Huntsman to give speech at US-ASEAN Business Council Conference, 8:30 a.m., Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City.
- 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 19: LaVar Christensen for Congress campaign presents "Rock the House" featuring the Stars of the Broadway hit "Beatlemania," 7 p.m., Dixie State Cox Auditorium in St. George. Call 801-572-9878 for ticket reservations or email info@lavarforcongress.com.
- July 20: LaVar Christensen for Congress campaign presents "Rock the House" featuring the Stars of the Broadway hit "Beatlemania," 7 p.m., Sandy City amphitheater. Governor Huntsman will make a guest appearance on keyboards. Call 801-572-9878 for ticket reservations or email info@lavarforcongress.com.
- July 20: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., Commission Chambers, Davis County Courthouse, 28 East State Street, Farmington. All Davis Democrats are urged to attend.  The general public is also invited.
- July 21: Gov. Huntsman Davis Co. School District Visit, 4 p.m., Farmington.
- July 21: Gov. Huntsman to attend 2006 Bountiful Handcart Days Parade, 6 p.m., Bountiful.
- 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.
- July 27: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, 3977 Wasatch Blvd., Holladay.
- July 28: 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 28: Town Hall Meeting on Climate Change, 6:30 p.m., City Library Auditorium, 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City. Presentation by Mayor Rocky Anderson on climate change and maintaining our quality of life. All members of the community are invited. An open public forum will follow.

- See the entire calendar