News Highlights

Gov. Huntsman tells the State School Board that cutting income taxes would grow the economy and ultimately bring more money to education (Deseret Morning News); the Board may be warming to Huntsman's call for a "flatter" income tax (Salt Lake Tribune).

New census estimates don't match Utah's school enrollment figures, backing up the claims of local economists that the feds have been undercounting Utah's rapidly growing population (Morning News).

Morning News editorial supports a regional plan for commuter rail to ensure that Utah County isn’t stranded without rail transit.

Quote of the Day

"In my six years in the Legislature, we have not seen near the acrimony and contention as in the last session. In many ways it was driven by the [surplus] money. I don't want to sound cynical. But if anything, last year was a pre-season warm-up for what we will see this year."

-- Sen. Curt Bramble, predicting a difficult 2007 session, in part because of interest groups fighting for large shares of the big budget surplus (Tribune).

Podcast Watch 

This week’s InsideUtah.com podcast by Jennifer Napier-Pearce features State Sen. Carlene Walker (:36) on paring down mega-school districts; policy analyst Janice Houston (9:22) on the questionable economic good of sports stadiums; and Tori Baker (17:51) on August’s crop of independent films.  

Blog Watch

Reach Upward says: "It's déjà vu all over again. This year's legislative session was mostly about how to deal with the largest budget surplus ($1 billion) in Utah state history. It made for some pretty interesting, and sometimes strange political wrangling. Many legislators thought it was worse than having a budget shortfall. It now turns out that the state has a surplus of $351 million on top of the original surplus, which has politicians, administrators, and lobbyists circling like buzzards over road kill ... Of course, I want to know who calculated this amount. Hopefully it's not the same folks that had to keep revising the figures they were feeding to the Governor about potential tax system changes earlier this year. Grab your seatbelts, because we're in for a bumpy ride" (see also here and here)... Part of the Plan maintains that "the Republican revolution is over"... House District 68 candidate Kim Christison says: "So the campaign season doesn't begin until after Labor Day does it? Who says? I've heard it from two incumbent Republicans in the last two days. Are they in charge? Why not after the 4th of July or the 24th if you live in Utah? I've also heard tell that voters only remember the last candidate they talked to, or if a candidate starts too soon he or she will be forgotten by November. Seems to me a candidate with something memorable to say will be remembered no matter when he or she said it -- more so than the last gasp carnival barkings of a Johnny-I'll-get-there-sometime whiz-banger"... The Deseret Spectacle reports: "Mayor Rocky Anderson joined Doug Fabrizio during the final half hour of [yesterday] morning's Radio West program on KUER (90.1 FM). The mayor had some interesting (and inspiring) things to say about his decision not to seek a third term, his passion for his causes and perceived mission in life, and the 'real Rocky' vis-à-vis the caricature created by particular members of the local media. As usual, Rocky didn't pull any punches. Contending that the Deseret News has routinely 'lied' about his positions, he likened dealing with DMN reporters to 'living in a Kafka novel with a little Taliban thrown in.' Neither does the good mayor bear much love for the Standard Examiner"... Article VI Blog says: "Increasingly, I am seeing [Mitt Romney's likely '08 presidential campaign] being used as a platform from which Mormon apologetics can be launched. I do think there is a problem if a religion seeks legitimacy from political involvement. Religious adherence may inform, even dictate a political stance on an issue, but the religion needs to garner its legitimacy and authority on its own. I'm wondering how widespread is the feeling among Mormons that a serious Romney run would grant them greater legitimacy in society at large?" (see also here, here, here, and here).

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

Washington Watch

Hatch Bill Clears Committee

Sen. Orrin Hatch's Elder Justice Act of 2006, which "would provide federal resources to state and community officials who currently must grapple with elder abuse using scarce resources and fragmented systems," unanimously clears the Senate Finance Committee (see press release); Hatch joins Michigan Sen. Carl Levin "at a symposium discussing the success of their Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, which among other things expanded the ability of doctors to prescribe buprenorphine to recovering heroin addicts" (press release).

Matheson Applauds Test Delay

Rep. Jim Matheson says he "is pleased with the announcement that the so-called 'Divine Strake' non-nuclear explosion -- planned for the Nevada Test Site -- has been postponed yet again" (see press release).

Taxpayers Assoc. Newsletter

The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its August newsletter. This month's edition includes an analysis of Salt Lake County's proposed $895 million bond for mass transit expansion and a column by Assoc. Pres. Howard Stephenson on Utah's state school board selection process. To read the newsletter, click here.

SUWA Hails Court Ruling

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance applauds a federal district court ruling that the BLM "violated federal environmental laws when it sold oil and gas leases on 16 parcels of wilderness-quality lands in southern Utah" near Moab and Desolation Canyon. Says SUWA's Stephen Bloch: "This is a tremendously important decision. Over the past three years, the BLM has been putting our most spectacular public lands on the chopping block for oil and gas leasing and development, without first considering the impacts that development would have to wilderness values. The court unequivocally told BLM that the agency's practice was illegal" (see press release).

State Road 68 Improvements

The Utah Department of Transportation will be holding public scoping meetings to discuss future improvements to State Road 68 on Aug. 9 and 10 in Saratoga Springs and Bluffdale. For more info, click here.

Transcend Series Session

The Sutherland Institute's Transcend Series continues Thursday, August 10, with a session titled "Judicial Interpretations -- Understanding Legal Frameworks." For more info, click here.

Weekend Events & Outdoors Report

Outdoors Report

-- Morning News on “catch and release” protocol

-- Visit one of Utah’s best kept secrets in the Tribune

-- Fishing the Uintas is good in the Morning News

-- Tribune reports on the dangers of kite tubing

-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes

-- Check out the Tribune’s Recreation Roundup and Outdoor Notebook for sports and recreation activities this week

-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state. 

-- The latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report on the DWR website

New Films

-- The Descent:  Rotten Tomatoes

-- The Night Listener:  Rotten Tomatoes

-- Talladega Nights:  The Ballad of Ricky Bobby:  Tribune review

-- Best Movie Bet for Families:  Cars.  Read the Tribune review

Concerts

-- Utah Symphony presents “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Friday, 7:30 p.m., Deer Valley Amphitheatre

-- Concert in the Park:  Reprise, Friday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free

-- Utah Symphony presents “Bravo Broadway,” Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Deer Valley Amphitheatre

-- Brett Patterson, organ, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, Temple Square, free

-- Emerging Quartets Perform Works of Emerging Composers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary's Catholic Church, Park City, free

-- Murray Concert Band 20th Anniversary Concert, Saturday, 8 p.m., Murray Park Amphitheatre, 495 E. 5300 South, $3.50-$5 at the door

-- Summer Concerts Under the Stars 2006: Red Rock Rondo, Saturday, 8 p.m., Tanner Amphitheater, Springdale, $5-$9  

-- Concert in the Park: Gottfredson Family, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- WorldStage! Under the Stars Concert Series, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through August 21, Utah Cultural Celebration Center

-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays at 7 p.m. through August 24, Gallivan Center

-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays at noon through September 22, Gallivan Center

Theater

-- “Dames at Sea” through August 4, Utah Musical Theatre

-- “Noises Off” through August 4, Old Lyric Repertory Company

-- "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" through August 5, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Relative Values” through August 5, Lyric Repertory Company
-- “The Music Man” through August 7, Alpine Community Theater

-- “Paint Your Wagon” through August 10, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through August 25, Draper Historic Theatre
-- Neil Simon Festival through August 12, Cedar City
-- “The Nerd” through August 12, Heritage Theatre
-- “Peta Pun” through August 12, The Off-Broadway Theatre
-- Utah Festival Opera through August 12, Logan

-- “You Can’t Take It With You” through August 19, Hale Center Theater Orem

-- Salt Lake Shakespeare through August 20, Babcock Theatre

-- "Saturday's Voyeur 2006” through August 20, Salt Lake Acting Company, Tribune and Morning News reviews
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Morning News review

-- "Peter Pan" through September 1, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins

-- "South Pacific" through September 2, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins, Tribune review

-- “Tied to the Tracks” through September 2, Pickleville Playhouse
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City

-- "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: The SeaQuel," Desert Star Theatre

-- “Desperate Homemakers: The Big Fat Sequel to My Big Fat Utah Wedding,” Desert Star Cabaret Theatre

-- "The Rat Pack Remembered," Desert Star Dinner Theatre

Museum Exhibits

-- The Face of Utah Sculpture Exhibition through August 24, Utah Cultural Celebration Center

-- Wind Pieces:  New Sculpture Exhibition through August 26, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Utah State University

-- In Focus:  National Geographic Great Portraits Exhibition through September 23, Utah Museum of Natural History

-- Material Culture:  The Art of Fine Textile Exhibition through September 30, Looking Back:  75 Years at the Salt Lake Art Center Exhibition through October 14, Salt Lake Art Center

-- Rooted In Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum through October 15, Utah Museum of Fine Art

-- Sideshow through January 28, Utah Museum of Fine Art

Et Cetera

-- Park City Kimball Arts Festival through August 6

-- Sundance Outdoor Film Festival, Mondays at sunset through August 21, Gallivan Center

-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City

-- Downtown Farmers’ Market/ Downtown Art & Craft Market, Saturdays through October 21, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Pioneer Park

Utah in the National News

Romney Watch
Columnist says "there is something Reaganesque in [Mass. Gov. and likely '08 presidential candidate Mitt Romney's] speech inflection. Unlike Reagan, Romney does not generally need cue cards. However, his unfortunate use of the phrase 'tar baby' during his last Iowa trip ... suggests he needs to temper his natural glibness with more thoughtfulness. [Boston's] Big Dig may also catch up with Romney in a negative way on the presidential trail; [Sen. John] McCain, a longtime critic of the public works project, certainly has a vested interest in making it an issue. But for now the Massachusetts governor exudes can-do confidence, especially when he is beyond Massachusetts and its hypercritical media" (Boston Globe).

Editorial: "When Mitt Romney was a candidate for Massachusetts governor, in 2002, Salt Lake City's mayor cut a television commercial endorsing him. Acknowledging that the two were of different parties, the Democratic mayor said that, judging from Mr. Romney's rescue of the scandal-ridden 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Massachusetts would get a very talented leader if it elected him. In Governor Romney's taking charge this summer of the public-confidence crisis that followed the fatal collapse of a Big Dig tunnel, he has justified the prediction" (Providence Journal).  

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Is school count by the feds too low?

- Board set to boost graduation conditions

- Income-tax cut urged

- No room for free speech on Hill?

- Grant money goes to water, roads, safety

- Judge rejects atheist group's request for a ruling in suit over UHP crosses

- Nuclear-waste decisions put on hold

- Bennett aide agrees to head up his staff

- Guv revving up his Harley for meeting with Kempthorne

- Davis reports first West Nile in human

- Bob Bernick Jr.: Rocky's legacy complicated, still evolving

- Op-ed: Tax surplus should go to education

- Editorial: A confluence of transit needs

Standard-Examiner

- City hall basement store sought

- Editorial: Money in the bank

St. George Spectrum

- Health summit readies community

- Public feedback received on plans for Red Hills Parkway

- St. George council tables banner issue

- Editorial: Apple Valley's indecisiveness

Daily Herald

- Surprise! It's a Utah County tradition

- American Fork considers tax raise

- Editorial: A way to reduce sex crime?

KCPW

- Gov announces education summit

- Lame duck? No way, says Rocky

- State Board of Ed wary of gov's tax plan

- Four finalists for utility watchdog position

- Congressional incumbents flush with cash

Davis County Clipper

- Holly Oil Refinery seeking to expand

- South Davis school boundaries likely to shift

- Davis Chamber settles into business hub

- County never found needed funds to boost upkeep of system

Salt Lake Tribune

- In-state tuition's support slipping

- Centerville leaders favor funds for arts over convention center

- Officials search for ticket to defuse strife in Ogden

- Gay guidebook ranks U. in top 100

- Huntsman revs up for Sturgis bike rally

- Pete Ashdown talks of campaign fund reform

- Committee chairman questions Yucca timeline

- 7th West Nile virus case in Utah

- Historic Sugar House buildings and businesses in peril

- Board analyzes flatter tax

- Buprenorphine: Helps addicts by easing cravings

- Anderson picks environmental adviser for SLC

- Delta prods Utah's senators

- Editorial: Class system: Charters need diversity

Elected Officials Birthday List

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 4: Water Issues Task Force, 9 a.m., room W135.
- Aug 4: Closing the Achievement Gap for Hispanic Youth presentation by Barbara Lovejoy, Director of the nonprofit Generación Floreciente, 12 to 1:30 p.m., Lamb's Café, 169 S. Main, Salt Lake.  For more information or to register contact Barbara at 801-466-1117 or bclovejoy@msn.com.  Cost $25.
- Aug 4: 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.
- Aug 4: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to attend Payson Salmon Dinner, 6 p.m.
- Aug 5: 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.
- Aug 5: Fundraiser for Rep. Mark Archuleta Wheatley, 5 to 8 p.m., 6313 South Murray Bluff Road, Murray. Food, music, City Jail, dancing girls, Wild West Saloon, Sheriff’s Posse. Put on your western garb and come join the fun. Requested donation $40, any accepted. Call Josie Valdez at 801-264-8844 with questions.
- Aug 5: Constitution Party of Utah lecture by Michael Merritt and Ken Bowers, 7 p.m., Larry H. Miller Sandy Campus, room 101, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy. There is a suggested donation of $10/person.
- Aug 6-7: Gov. Huntsman to attend 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, South Dakota. Governor Jon Huntsman, along with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and other Governors, will ride the Mayor's Ride during the 66th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, benefiting the Sturgis Fire Department.
- Aug 7-8: Legislative Site Visits, Uintah Basin.
- Aug 9: Lt. Gov. Herbert to attend Rural Summit, 12:30 p.m., Milford City Hall, 26 South 100 West, Milford.
- Aug 9: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to hold town hall meeting in Richfield, 7 p.m.
- Aug 10-11: Utah Rural Summit, Haze Hunter Conference Center, Southern Utah University, Cedar City. For more information see https://utahreach.org/urs/.
- Aug 10: Utah Constitutional Revision Commission, 1 p.m., room W125.
- Aug 11: Utah Tax Review Commission, 1 p.m., Cache County Administrative Building, 179 N. Main, room 103, Logan.
- Aug 11: 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.
- Aug 12: Meet Green Party Candidate Bob Brister at the Farmers' Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find out Bob's take on the issues and give him yours. For more info visit www.bristerforcongress.org.
- Aug 12: Cache Valley Democrats Biweekly meeting, 8 a.m., Cabin Fever Cafe, 180 W 1200 S, Logan.
- Aug 12: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to attend Kearns parade, 9 a.m.
- Aug 12: First Annual Davis Republicans vs. Davis Democrats Softball Game, 11 a.m., Ellison Park, 700 N 2200 W, Layton (just south of Swan Lakes Golf Course).
- Aug 15: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to speak at Southwest Valley Rotary Club, 7 a.m.
- Aug 15: Cache Valley Democrats Community Forum, 7 p.m., Cache County Building, 179 N. Main Street, Logan. The subject is Cache County Trails: Strategic Planning for Access, and the speaker is Tim Watkins, Cache County Trails Coordinator.
- Aug 18: 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.
- Aug 18: Salt Lake County Northeast Quadrant Constitution Party meeting, 7 p.m., Home of Gary & Carolyn Alder, 4046 S 700 W, Salt Lake City.
- Aug 19: 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., NE corner, State Street and 6400 South, Salt Lake City. For more information see www.bristerforcongress.org
- Aug 19: Weber County Constitution Party meeting, 10 a.m., Main Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden.
- Aug 22: Administrative Rules Review Committee, 9 a.m., room W135.
- Aug 22: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to hold town hall meeting in Milford, 5 p.m. and Beaver, 7 p.m.
- Aug 23: Sandy Chamber of Commerce Candidate Luncheon with Congressman Jim Matheson, 12 p.m., Spaghetti Mama, Jordan Commons, 9400 South State Street, Sandy. Major sponsor is Steve Creamer, President and CEO of Energy Solutions. Cost is $20 per person.
- Aug 23: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to hold town hall meeting in Fillmore, 5:30 p.m.
- Aug 24: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to hold town hall meeting in Nephi, 5:30 p.m. and Gunnison, 8 p.m.
- Aug 24: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Grecian Garden, 4816 South State Street, Murray.
- Aug 25: ChamberWest General Membership Meeting, 11:45 a.m., The E Center Centennial Room, 3200 South Decker Lake Drive. The topic will be a Congressional Report with Sen. Orrin Hatch. Cost is $15 with RSVP. To RSVP, call 801-969-8755 or e-mail rsvp@chamberwest.org.
- Aug 25: 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.
- Aug 25: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to hold town hall meeting in Ephraim, 8 p.m.
- Aug 26: Cache Valley Democrats Biweekly meeting, 8 a.m., Cabin Fever Cafe, 180 W 1200 S, Logan.
- Aug 29: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to speak at U of U's Hinckley Institute of Politics, 2 p.m.

- See the entire calendar

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