News Highlights

Conservatives in the House and Senate move toward giving Utahns their largest state tax cut ever; education and human service advocates express concern (Deseret Morning News).

In effort to preserve Real Salt Lake's future in Utah, Gov. Huntsman, SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson and state legislators attempt to resurrect a funding plan for a soccer stadium in Sandy (Salt Lake Tribune and Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"We're out to save the world and make a living in the process."

-- Patti Case, VP of SLC-based ETC Group Inc., a mechanical engineering firm that helps businesses save energy (Tribune).

Bush’s Freedom Agenda

For a clear perspective of the Bush Administration’s reasoning and vision regarding the Middle East, read an excellent op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal. You may not like it if you don’t like Bush, but you’ll understand Bush’s “freedom agenda,” which I think is the best long-term approach for real progress in the region.  

Economic Outlook

Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s weekly Tea Leaf economic update discusses the Federal Reserve’s “pause” in raising interest rates and lower than expected increases in job creation.  

Blog Watch

Rep. Craig Frank has a post on identity theft... At SouthernUtahBlog, Todd Seifert says of a rule proposed by the Capitol Preservation Board that would allow lobbyists, but not members of the general public, to hand out literature outside the legislative chamber and committee rooms: "Paid lobbyists are essential in today's government. Whether that's right or fair is a point for debate, but it's the reality nonetheless. But the public shouldn't be relegated to third-class status. Members of the public deserve access to their elected lawmakers ... Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has been quoted as saying that the state can count on being sued if the public doesn't get the same access as lobbyists. Shurtleff is right"... At The Huffington Post, Robert Koehler discusses the controversy surrounding the proposed Divine Strake bomb test... Phil Windley is unimpressed with Sen. Orrin Hatch's recently introduced patent reform bill (see also here)... Woods Cross Citizen conducted email surveys with Davis County Commission candidates Bret Millburn and Rob Miller, and posts their responses (see also here)... Paul Rolly says Gov. Jon Huntsman takes an oblique shot at former Gov. Mike Leavitt’s fundraising techniques ... LowDown Central says: "The fact [that Mass. Gov. and likely '08 presidential candidate] Mitt Romney is a Mormon does not negatively influence us. It is trivial compared to the events that are shaping and reshaping our world from minute to minute. Perhaps it will ensure that Republicans retain the high moral ground. However Mr. Romney chooses to express his faith is his, and his family's, private business. We are not scrutinizing his spirituality, only his capacity to become the next President of the United States ... Mr. Romney is pro family, pro life, and pro traditional marriage. He has been married to the same fine woman for over 30 years, throughout which no scandal has ever been connected to his name or position. Mr. Romney does not deliver double-talk. This is a man who looks you straight in the eye, speaks without hesitation, and delivers his own honest responses. He speaks from his heart with a confidence that comes from years of experience and knowledge of his subject. We have looked long and hard through the corral of possible candidates. Mitt Romney is the only one we come back to again and again. We believe serious attention must be paid to him. We believe he possesses the political and emotional wherewithal to handle the impossibly difficult job of President of the United States in this impossible world" (hat tip: Article VI Blog).

-- Compiled by Golden Webb 

Washington Watch

Hatch: Economy On Right Track

Sen. Orrin Hatch reports "that the national deficit for FY 2006 will be only $260 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) August report," and says: "Some have criticized Congress for lowering taxes while our nation has to pay for emergencies like two wars and hurricane recovery. But many critics miss the fact that the president's tax cuts have boosted productivity, which ultimately increases household income as well as the amount of money flowing into the government's coffers. These numbers show that Congress's pro-growth policies have kept the economy on the right track" (see press release).

SUWA, Hinchey Demand Investigation

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and New York Rep. Maurice Hinchey call for an internal Interior Dept. investigation into a "leaked e-mail from Bob Weidner, a lobbyist on behalf of several Utah counties, [which] reports on a meeting held in July 2006 with Henri Bisson (now acting Utah BLM state director) and Interior Department official Jim Hughes regarding oil and gas and other issues in ongoing Utah BLM Resource Management Plans (RMPs). In the note to his clients, Weidner writes, 'We as counties owe it each other to strike while the iron is hot in finalizing these RMPs. As the governing documents over public lands for the next 20 years, working with the new State BLM Director and the State to 'fix' these RMPs is an opportunity which may never come again!'" Says SUWA's Stephen Bloch: "The clear implication of the Weidner e-mail is that BLM and the Bush Administration has breached the public's trust. BLM has apparently agreed to manipulate its blueprint for managing the public's lands to benefit the oil and gas industry. The losers are other constituencies for these same lands, including hunters and fishers, outfitters and small businesses, local and state governments, and countless everyday Americans looking to escape into the West's big sky country" (see press release).

Wise Words

"All big things in this world are done by people who are naive and have an idea that is obviously impossible." —Dr. Frank Richards

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Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
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Utah in the National News

Editorial says Utah's Factory Butte area near Hanksville should remain open to off-road vehicle recreation (Las Vegas Review-Journal).

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Will Utah tax cut climb to 120M?

- Politicos back Real stadium

- American Fork to raise property taxes

- Developers offer to ease Bluffdale's tax pain

- Selection of Weber to probe mayor, chief raises questions

- Taylorsville police chief named

- N.Y. lawmaker calls for probe of BLM in Utah

- Provo Council backs convention center

- Heritage Plastics plans Milford plant

- Air Liquide to expand in Utah

City Weekly

- Hits & Misses

- Mayor's race 101

- Air Rocky: Where, oh where can our mayor be?

- Tweaking the Image: Utah marketers aim for well-healed outdoor enthusiasts

- Editorial: Charity Faileth

Standard-Examiner

- Businesses must show worth

- Editorial: South Ogden's dilemma

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- Former Envirocare boss loses appeal; wants own waste site

- Tooele resident recovering from West Nile infection

St. George Spectrum

- Hurricane may face property tax hike

- Tax rate decision won't occur until after public meeting

- Editorial: Respect other languages

Logan Herald Journal

- County's employment up 2 percent

- Politically charged

- Police chief named

KCPW

- Trolley Square shop owners react to mall renovation plans

- Congressional Quarterly Election Update

- "Rare harmony" on new Capitol Hill development

- County puts restrictions on open space bond

Daily Herald

- Commission to examine Utah's foggy veto rules

- Is Lehi paying too much?

- Cedar Hills discusses future of golf course

Davis County Clipper

- Bye to Bubble: An era ends for Bountiful

- Democrats hope to knock one out of the park vs. Republicans

- Bennett targets identity theft

- Bennett lauds energy bill

- Her point: Clear up misconceptions for tourists

- His point: Don't spend money to change slogan

- Editorial: Both Conference Center and RMT merit support

Salt Lake Tribune

- Global Warming: Business could feel effects of change

- 'Closed-door deal' at BLM?

- Earlier decision may taint BLM sale

- Rocky works to keep RSL, even if it's in Sandy

- Mullen: Trolley Square too dear to derail

- County won't put aquarium plan on ballot

- Delta may fly SLC to Europe

- Editorial: Old pony, new TRAX: Transit shouldn't obscure school funds cut

Elected Officials Birthday List

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- 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: Fourth session of the 2006 Sutherland Transcend Series, 8:30 a.m. Senior Judge Arthur Christean , Bill Duncan, author , attorney, and director of the Marriage Law Foundation, and Dan Witte, attorney and Sutherland trustee, will present and facilitate this session. Topic: "Judicial Interpretations – Understanding Legal Frameworks.”  For more information and to register, contact Stan Rasmussen at 801-355-1272 or email si@sutherlandinstitute.org.
- Aug 10: Gov. Huntsman to attend Outdoor Retailers Association, 10 a.m., The Salt Palace, Salt Lake City.
- Aug 10: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM features Senator Orrin
Hatch on patent reform, Lieberman’s loss, and Iraq; SLC Councilwoman Nancy Saxton on the $40 million revitalization of Trolley Square and the impact on its Central City neighborhood; and Seth Warren and Tyler Bradt of the Oil + Water Project will talk about their alternative energy tour of grade schools in the U.S. and Canada.
- Aug 10: Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak at Rural Utah Conference, 10:15 a.m., Hunter Conference Center, Southern Utah University, Cedar City.
- Aug 10: Utah Constitutional Revision Commission, 1 p.m., room W125.
- Aug 10: Gov. Huntsman special announcement with Utah Jazz President Dennis Haslam, 1 p.m., Governor's Formal Office, State Capitol Complex East Building, 2nd Floor.
- Aug 10: ReAL Salt Lake/ReAL Madrid Reception, 5 p.m., Governor's Mansion.
- Aug 11: Gov. Huntsman to attend Rural Utah Conference, 12:30 p.m., Cedar City.
- 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: Davis County Democrats monthly breakfast meeting, 8:30 a.m., Granny Annie's Restaurant, 286 N 400 W, Kaysville.  Please bring an item of food (non perishable) for the Davis County Food Bank. After breakfast the group will go to the first annual Democrat/Republican softball game. All interested Democrats and the general public are invited.
- Aug 12: Democratic candidate for District 3 Christian Burridge to attend Kearns parade, 9 a.m.
- Aug 12: Public debate with Utah U.S. Senate candidates, including: Roger Price, Pete Ashdown, Scott Bradley, Julian Hatch, and Libertarian chair Rob Latham who will represent candidate Dave Seely, 10:30 a.m., Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City.
- 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).

- See the entire calendar