|
Today's political briefing: Key developments
and analysis for Utah policymakers
Subscribe or Unsubscribe |
Paid for by Joe Jarvis for State Senate
|
Message Center
(Announcements, Advertisements, Advertorials, and Sponsored Articles.) |
2015 Watch
Save Some Real Money: Ride TRAX
By LaVarr Webb
Generally when we talk about the value of expanding public transit we do so in general terms, describing its importance to mobility, reducing congestion, and the overall number of riders.
But what about the impact at the individual or family level? What does an expanded rail transit system serving Draper, West Jordan/South Jordan, West Valley City and the airport mean for an average family? And how will increased taxes a family would have to pay for an expanded TRAX system be offset by savings?
Let’s suppose the father of a young family in South Jordan is able to take the new TRAX line through to work downtown every day. It eliminates the need for the family to buy a second car. And how much will the family save?
The IRS mileage allowance for 2005 was 48.5 cents per mile. The 2006 edition of AAA's Your Driving Costs study shows the overall average cost of owning and operating a passenger vehicle is 52.2 cents per mile, or $7,834 per year.
So let’s split the difference and say it costs 50 cents a mile to operate a car. A 30-mile round trip commute would cost $15 in a car, compared to $3 on TRAX. The cost for a 20-trip monthly commute would be $300, compared to a $50 monthly TRAX pass. So the monthly savings is $250 a month, or a whopping $3,000 a year.
If the family’s home is valued at $200,000, their increased property tax would be $108. So the annual savings by using TRAX for work commutes is $2,892.
At capacity, an expanded transit system is expected to handle a ridership of a quarter million people a day. That amounts to $423 million in savings annually for citizens who use the system for an average 20-mile round trip commute 20 times a month. Not everyone will have a 20-million round trip commute, of course. But some will be longer and many people will also use the TRAX system for other purposes. The expansion will put most of Davis and Salt Lake County’s major entertainment, education and shopping venues within striking distance of a TRAX or FrontRunner rail station.
Many people will, of course, keep driving their cars. But the roads will be less crowded with a quarter million people using mass transit.
To break even on the $108 property tax increase, a person would only have to use TRAX a handful of times a year.
This is by no means theoretical. Right now, some 60% of employees working downtown for the LDS Church use public transit to get to work. More than 30% of students and employees at the University of Utah are using mass transit, saving the university millions of dollars in parking structures alone. You can actually find a place to park at the U. these days.
Those numbers will increase significantly as the system expands. Once the new lines are in place, a TRAX train will come by every 3 to 5 minutes on the main line. People will be using transit not just to go downtown, but to go to Lagoon, to the airport, to the E-Center, to various malls around the Wasatch Front, and to college and university facilities.
I have a daughter who has spent a lot of time in Europe, where she exclusively used the public transit systems. She prefers to use public transit over buying a car, saving herself a lot of money each year.
Using public transit means you have to leave a little earlier. But that time can be used productively – reading, sleeping, writing on a laptop – instead of sitting in traffic stifling a fit of road rage. |
|
|
News Highlights
According to new analysis, 71 local governments in Utah are proposing to raise property tax rates above levels that would provide the same revenue as last year (Deseret Morning News).
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who announced last week that he won't seek a 3rd term, may be facing a tough final year in office (Salt Lake Tribune).
Columnist John Florez says Utah’s school boards need to restructure to prepare students to work in the new economy (Morning News).
Tribune editorial says a new study shows that creating a new, smaller school district in Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Midvale and Sandy is highly complicated. |
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
“One of my students recently said, ‘Why should I go to school this summer when I can earn $12 to $14 an hour working at the call center?’ Students with this mindset are eating their seed corn.”
-- Scott C. Hammond, Ph.D., assistant academic VP at Utah Valley State College, in a Morning News op-ed essay noting that fewer young people are attending college. |
|
|
|
Monday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates |
The Week Ahead
Welcome to a new week and the last day of July. Just as temperatures begin to cool in about another month around Labor Day, Sept. 4, we can expect political campaigns to heat up and become a lot more public.
One of the state’s toughest issues, the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid, will receive attention this morning at 8:30 in W135 as the Medicaid Interim Committee meets. The focus is on what other states are doing to rein in Medicaid costs. The committee will also hear from Dr. David N. Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health; and Dr. Michael Hales, director of the Division of Health Care Financing. Other Medicaid stakeholders will also make presentations. See full agenda.
On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., the Utah International Trade Commission meets (see agenda), and on Thursday the Water Issues Task Force meets (see agenda).
For the rest of the week’s political activities, see the Utah Policy Daily calendar.
Blog Watch
Jen's Green Journal says of Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who announced last week he won't be seeking a 3rd term: "As someone who is concerned for the well being of other people and the planet, Rocky has done much to earn my admiration. I look forward to seeing what he does when he returns to citizen life and I'm excited to see what projects he takes on as a grassroots activist. Thank you, Rocky -- the person that follows you has some big shoes to fill"... Woods Cross Citizen says of departing North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs: "Many times when I was on the Woods Cross City Council, I said that it was refreshing to see a mayor with as much passion as Mayor Briggs. Like him or not, you have to respect how passionate he was when he was standing up for what he felt was best for his city. Best of luck Mayor Briggs! You'll be missed by more than just NSL residents"... Jeremy's Jeremiad says: "Mormons and non-Mormons in Utah deserve better than the Republican Party. Utah's Democratic Party is more fiscally responsible than the Republicans. We support the maintenance of [Utah] morals and values ... and as a party we are far more inclusive than the Republicans. If Utahns want to be heard by their politicians they will need to look to the Democratic party, the party that knows it really needs them"... House District 68 candidate Kim Christison says: "I'm opposed to political debates. They're sensational, theatrical, contentious (that's why people like them), and rarely get down to any substantive discussion of the real issues. It's the same old political script and I think it's pretty stale"... At The Utah Amicus, Bob Van Velkinburgh endorses Rep. Jim Matheson's Renewable Schools Energy Act of 2006... Rural Blogging says: "Mike Leavitt's family has been in the news a lot lately due to concerns about contributions to a family trust. During Governor Leavitt's administration, I directed the Utah Smart Site Program which was one of his pet initiatives. During the eleven years I worked under his direction, I travelled to a number of events with Governor Leavitt and met with him frequently. I do not for one moment believe that he intentionally did anything he perceived as being inethical. In fact, when there was any question of ethics in his administration, he quickly moved to address the issue. During my 22 years in state government, I worked for five Governors. I can only wish all of them had displayed the level of unquestionable ethics consistently shown by Governor Leavitt."
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
Hatch Announces Grant
Sen. Orrin Hatch announces "a $430,000 grant for the Utah Transportation Center (UTC) at Utah State University ... the first installment in a four-year award for the UTC to pursue its education, research, and technology transfer goals" (see press release); BYU professor Vance Randall successfully concludes a yearlong legislative fellowship with Hatch (press release).
Bennett Hails Economic Report
Sen. Bob Bennett says "the latest economic report indicating 2.5 percent growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter is on target with historic trends and reflects very positive and sustainable growth" (see press release); Bennett announces "that Richfield Regional Airport will receive $150,000 in federal funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase safety and address growth" (press release).
Matheson Votes for Pension Act
Rep. Jim Matheson votes for the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which "requires companies to meet 100% of their pension plan's funding target" (see press release); Matheson says a thorough and unbiased review of Utah's Industrial Loan Companies by the FDIC "will help put to rest concerns expressed by some members of Congress about new ILC applications from companies such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot" (press release).
Committee Passes Cannon Legislation
House Committee passes Rep. Chris Cannon's Second Chance Act of 2005, which is "designed to reduce recidivism among newly released prisoners, increase public safety and to help states and communities better address the growing population of prisoners returning to communities" (see press release). |
|
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.
|
|
|
Monday
July 31, 2006
Utah in the National News
Wall Street's trade and lobbying group files suit in federal court to block Utah's newly-enacted naked short-selling law (Forbes, Associated Press, and Dow Jones).
Analysts say Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's response to Boston's Big Dig crisis may boost or sink his '08 presidential prospects (Boston Herald, Boston Herald, Associated Press, Boston Globe, and Kansas City Star).
The Rev. Jerry Falwell says of Romney's Mormonism: "I have no problem voting for a person who is not of my faith as long as he or she stands with me on the moral and social issues. [Romney] may be a candidate for president. He's a Mormon. If he's pro-life, pro-family, I don't think he'll have any problem getting the support of evangelical Christians" (The Clarion-Ledger).
Editorial says the scheduled Sept. 5 signing of a water rights compact between Nevada and Utah should go forward without federal intervention (Las Vegas Review-Journal).
Article looks at HHS Sec. and former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt and his family's charitable foundation (NPR); editorials criticize Leavitt's use of the charity (Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News).
Local Headlines
Deseret Morning News
- Big tax boosts proposed
- Utahns who support Israel pray for peace
- John Florez: Teacher exodus calls for out-of-box ideas
- Op-ed: Education is 'seed corn' of hope
- Editorial: Treating the poor badly
Standard-Examiner
- Making it
- Editorial: Layton gets noticed
Daily Herald
- Committee proposes Cedar Hills golf course reconfiguration
- Record surplus stirs talk of bigger tax cut
Salt Lake Tribune
- Rocky may face daunting final year
- Huntsman finds new purpose for fortune
- True blue: Utah Democrats send cash out of state
- Mayor of 'Festival City, USA' has a close family of 25,000
- Rolly: Can you believe no one stopped?
- Synagogue fills with prayers for Mideast peace
- College recruitment efforts will raise tuition
- Entrepreneurship, self-employment thrive in Utah
- Editorial: Is smaller better? School-district study shows need to know more
Sunday, July 30
Salt Lake Tribune
- Rocky: Ups, downs and why it's time
- Sans Rocky, field wide open
- Off the Agenda: Friends, staff members toast Rocky
- Rocky's Exit: Quotes
- Few poor, minority pupils in charters
- Charter schools go after diversity on different paths
- Busting leadfoots not every cop's No. 1
- Mullen: Tragedy revealed invisible people
- Talk of eminent domain stirs fears in Ogden
- Op-ed: Washington County land bill is bad public policy
- Op-ed: There's a better way to produce legislation
- Op-ed: Don't bankroll Las Vegas' growth with Utah water
- Op-ed: Make people accountable for their unhealthy lifestyles
- Op-ed: Utah seemed to me like Oz, and I was Dorothy
- Editorial: The Thumb
Standard-Examiner
- Competent or not?
- Mother seeks changes in justice system for mentally ill
- Editorial: Money and position
St. George Spectrum
- Summit to educate about avian influenza
Logan Herald Journal
- Constitution Party making Utah gains
- Recycling off to fast start
Daily Herald
- Can a Democrat win here?
- Editorial: Use tax money for rail, roads
Deseret Morning News
- Big surplus sets record in Utah
- Immigration: gettng in legally takes a long time
- Top teacher blends old, new
- Governor's 'general' leaves for Supreme Court
- Recidivism is bill's target
- Senate panel OKs health, literacy, Web bill
- Diversity Times debuts
- Utah youths get tips on being a 'solution'
- Capitol protesters settle federal lawsuit
- Pignanelli & Webb: Political pioneers, then and now, deserve thanks
- Editorial: School choice finally getting a hard look
Saturday, July 29
Deseret Morning News
- No 3rd term for Rocky
- Rocky Anderson timeline
- Quotable: On Rocky
- Mayor's war views hurting convention
- Utah's low primary turnouts assailed
- Focus of gay tourney in Utah? Hoops
- Burned-out teachers problematic
- Some in Lehi without yard water
- BLM says protests delaying oil drilling
- Salt Lake courts '09 Hispanic convention
- District-split meeting stalled
- Wilds groups trying to derail settlement
- FDIC halts applications
- Meat processor opts for move to Box Elder
- Editorial: Take a bite out of bullying
- Editorial: An encouraging trend
St. George Spectrum
- Regents approve increase in high school graduation requirements
- Springdale votes for resolution to oppose Bennett-Matheson bill
KCPW
- Rocky won't seek 3rd term
- Town hall meeting on climate change
- Helping Utah's migrant workers
Davis County Clipper
- NSL mayor resigning to take Caribbean post
- A flood of problems -- ‘Pressing needs' found all over county
- Commissioners battle funding woes, competing needs
- Clearfield goes with UTA site for commuter rail station
- Rest of the story -- Teens still tanning despite new regulation; salons seek ACLU's help
- Bryan Gray: LDS poll results show why idiots shouldn't vote
- Editorial: NSL Mayor Briggs will leave a big imprint
Daily Herald
- Orem City Council changes code
- Wall Street group sues over Utah short-selling law
- Editorial: Spies in Lehi government?
Park Record
- Did Hatch flip off Parkites?
- The NoMa rules
- Editorial: Drivers dig even deeper to finance big oil companies' profit margin
KSL Editorial Board
- Preserving open spaces
Salt Lake Tribune
- No Rocky III
- Rocky Anderson's speech
- Rocky's Legacy: Q and A
- Rocky's Road: A Timeline
- Rocky's Report Card
- Rocky's Head Butts
- Rocky Quotes
- Feds put moratorium on industrial banks
- House passes minimum-wage hike; Utah reps back bill
- Fish on a ferry in contamination cleanup
- Judge says 'No More Wilderness' may get reviewed
- Another look at Leavitt charities
- Settlement: Demonstrators can give out leaflets at the Capitol
- Potential oil, gas withheld from auction
- State rakes in $21M in liquor tax
- Industry sues to block Utah securities law
- Editorial: Cash and carry: Utah shouldn't subsidize gun permits for non-Utahns |
Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- July 31: Bob Brister, Green Candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, will lead a delegation to the Green Party of the United States(GP-US) Conference in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Brister has been endorsed by Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI), a national association representing the majority of Greens. The GDI is holding its first national conference in conjunction with the GP-US conference.
- July 31: Medicaid Interim Committee, 8:30 a.m., room W135.
- July 31: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM: conversations with Gina Cornia of Utahns Against Hunger and Steven Rosenberg of Liberty Heights Fresh regarding Taste of the Nation, the annual benefit supporting the fight against hunger in Utah; plus Leigh von der Esch, director of the Utah Office of Tourism, and Wilson Martin, State Historic Preservation Officer. To participate, call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org.
- Aug 1: Lt. Gov. Herbert to take tour of the BYU Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, 9 a.m., BYU Provo Campus, Provo.
- Aug 1: Utah International Trade Commission, 2 p.m., room W125.
- Aug 1: Utah State Hispanic Democratic Caucus Meet the Candidates, 6 to 8 p.m., Sky Bar, Red Lion Hotel, 161 W 600 S, Salt Lake City. To RSVP, call Renetta Coppart 801-548 -4236.
- Aug 2: Lt. Gov. Herbert to hold Board of Education Ballot Position Lottery, 12 p.m., Governor's Board Room, State Capitol Complex, Salt Lake City.
- Aug 3: G.O.Pen Golf Tournament, 1 p.m. registration, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi. Followed by the annual GOP Summer BBQ at 6 p.m. with Gov. Jon Huntsman and Lt. Gov. Herbert. For more info contact Abby Balfour at 801-533-9777 or abby@UTGOP.org.
- Aug 3: Gov. Huntsman to meet with the State Board of Education, 3 p.m.
- Aug 3: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee meeting, 7 p.m., Davis County Courthouse, Commission Chambers room, 28 East State Street, Farmington. The agenda includes, planning for booth at the Davis County Fair, plans for the First Annual Democrat/Republican softball game, recruitment of more precinct captains, opening of new Campaign HQ. All Davis Democrats and the general public are invited. |
- See the entire calendar
|
|
