2006 Hinckley Journal of Politics
The University of Utah's Hinckley Institute has posted its 2006 Hinckley Journal of Politics. This year's edition features student papers on a variety of local and national political topics, including stem cell research, NCLB, faith-based initiatives, and the Utah Clean Air Act. It also features public officials' contributions from Rep. LaVar Christensen ("Civic and Character Education in Utah -- A Connection to History and the Continuuing Stewardship of All Citizens and Public Officials"), Sen. Karen Hale ("Returning to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the 2000 Utah State Legislature"), and SLC Councilman Dave Buhler ("Finding a Better Way: Salt Lake City Council's Broadening of Employee Health Benefits"). To read the Journal, click here.
Steve Forbes Speaks at EDCU Event
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUTAH) reports in its weekly e-newsletter that respected economic guru and prognosticator Steve Forbes will be the guest speaker at its annual meeting, Aug. 30 at 8 a.m. in the Radisson Hotel - Wasatch Ballroom, 215 West South Temple, Salt Lake City. The meeting will also include a report on the activities of the corporation and the nomination and election of the Board and Executive Committee. Tickets to this event are $25 for EDCUTAH investors and $30 for non-investors. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Interested parties should contact Trina Stanley, 801-323-4251, by Aug. 25. Email: tstanley@edcutah.org.
USU Recognizes Envision Utah
Envision Utah will receive the Utah Botanical Center’s inaugural Environmental Stewardship Award on Saturday, Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m., at the Utah Botanical Center Greenhouse, 725 South Sego Lily Drive, Kaysville (off Exit 328 on I-15). Alexander Morrison will speak. Utah State University President Stan Albrecht will present the award. A brunch will follow. RSVP to 435-797-0446 or maryann.anderson@usu.edu.
In his letter announcing the award, Albrecht said, “The Utah Botanical Center has established this award to honor individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations that exhibit leadership and long-standing commitment to the stewardship of natural resources in the Intermountain West. We are honored to associate with outstanding organizations such as Envision Utah, which tirelessly work to promote the vision of protecting Utah’s environment, economic strength, and quality of life for generations to come.”
PAC Announces Steering Committee
Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney's Commonwealth PAC sent a press release announcing a 75-member Michigan Steering Committee consisting of prominent Republicans and business leaders from across Michigan. The committee will provide guidance to Romney as he provides financial and political support to Michigan Republican candidates in 2006. The Steering Committee includes 7 members of President Bush's Ranger/Pioneer finance team, 37 members of the Michigan House of Representatives, including Speaker Craig DeRoche, a congressman, top business leaders, grassroots activists who serve as County and District Chairs, and members of the Michigan Republican State Committee. "I am honored that so many prominent Michiganders from every region of the state have joined the Commonwealth PAC's Steering Committee," Romney said.
Blog Watch
The House Conservative Caucus, writing in the Utah House Blog, recommends a plan to prioritize Utah's transportation projects (see two other legislator blogs on transportation here and here)... Rep. John Dougall explains why "38-15-1" is "the first natural law of the legislative process" (see also here)... Rep. Craig Frank discusses the Orem City Council's decision to nix the proposed Alpine School District split... Phil Windley says: "There's quite a bit of fallout from Sen. [Chris Buttars' recent Brown v. Board of Education] comments ... As an aside, what ever other disagreements I may have with Sen. Buttars, I love that he's willing to blog about it in his own words and engage the public. ... I doubt very much that Buttars is a racist or that his thoughts in this area stem from racism. I think Buttars' problem is a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes America great and on what basis we enjoy the incredible freedoms that we have. My concern is with his earlier comment that he doesn't 'know of any example where the minority is being jeopardized by legislative action.' ... He can't really believe that. ... Senator Buttars, write another blog post on the Senate Site and tell us what you really mean here. Give some specific examples. I'm a reasonable guy and I don't like courts making laws any more than you do. Show me the evidence. Build a case. Convince me something needs to be done rather than trying to scare me and making off the cuff, throw away comments" (see also here, here, and here)... At New West, Tracy Medley says: "Pete Ashdown is running a different kind of political campaign. He keeps a blog, has a Myspace account and freely admits that he doesn’t know everything. Ashdown, who is running as the Democratic candidate for Senate and hopes to unseat Orrin Hatch this November, is actually making some headway with his grassroots efforts and shoestring budget, raising just over $100,000 for his campaign so far. ... To call his bid for senate a David and Goliath scenario is a gross understatement, but Ashdown seems undaunted, even with a spate of stolen lawn signs and the Hatch campaign's war chest at $2.5 million and rising. ... While it certainly seems like the Pete Ashdown campaign is swimming upstream, it's nice to know that some little fish aren't afraid to get into the water" (see also here and here)... In response to this Trib story, Mangled Cat says: "There truly is a difference between [Cindy Sheehan and Amy Galvez]. One chooses to recognize and be proud of the choices her son made. To honor him by standing with a strong back in support of the cause he chose commit, and ultimately lose, his life to. That does not mean the loss is any less; it just means she has chosen to assuage the grief with pride and support. The other has chosen the path of blame and despair. I cannot help but feel that type of reaction is a selfish one. It's not about the son; his life, his choices, his contributions. It's about blaming someone for her loss, for the things she will miss. Is there a difference? Yep" (see also here, here, here, and here)... Time's Mike Allen reports: "Former Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick is planning to go to work fulltime next year for the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, overseeing development of domestic and foreign policy ... [T]he arrangement was worked out about three months ago and came about because of mutual admiration between the Senator and Ambassador Zoellick, and through the involvement of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) of Utah, who's an active McCain supporter and is close friends with Zoellick" (see also here)... Hotline on Call says Mass. Gov. and likely '08 presidential candidate Mitt Romney's "Michigan leadership team, announced [last night], includes a half dozen Bush mega-donors, two Romneys, a member of the U.S. House, dozens of state representatives, major county chairs and a few of the state's more influential grassroots activists. ... The release of these names is a shot across the frontrunner's bow of Sen. John McCain, who has the support of Michigan's two national committee members, among others. It's also a signal to the media, in Michigan and nationally. And to Republican donors. And to uncommitted activists in other states. And to those pesky National Journal insiders who keep ranking McCain ahead of their guy. And even to the White House. Romney was born in Michigan; his father served two terms as governor, and in certain parts of the state, the Romney name is gold" (see also here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
Columnist: Hatch Comment 'Ridiculous'
Liberal columnist says: "Last week, Orrin Hatch said that terrorists are 'waiting for the Democrats here to take control, let things cool off and then strike again.' I can just see bin Laden, deep in a cave on the Afghan-Pakistani border, saying to Ayman al-Zawahiri, 'Ayman, did you see the latest poll from the 7th congressional district in Colorado? I think Ed Perlmutter could pull it out, Allah be praised!' Hatch's statement may be ridiculous, but it's not unusual. In fact, we hear virtually the same thing from Republican voices all the time: not just that Democratic policies are unwise, but that terrorists actively support Democrats, and Democrats actively sympathize with terrorists" (TomPaine.com).
U. Grad Selected to Ag Post
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns selects Arlen Lancaster, a University of Utah grad and former staffer for Sen. Bob Bennett, as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (see press release).
National Politics
New Calendar Hurts Hillary?
In his NationalJournal.com On the Trail column, Chuck Todd says that the Democrats’ move to change the 2008 presidential primary calendar could hurt Hillary Clinton and give a boost to John Edwards.
Reader Response
Hardy Represents SLC
From Rep. Ann Hardy: “In today’s issue of Utah Policy it was mentioned that Afton Bradshaw was the last Republican to represent Salt Lake City. I have represented the northwest corner of Salt Lake for the past four years. Two years ago I served as co-chair of the Salt Lake City Legislative Caucus. Although it is a small area of District 20 I have tried to represent their concerns. I have worked closely with Carlton Christensen who is the council member over that area. Afton Bradshaw was a tremendous asset to Salt Lake, but I did want to set the record straight, being a Republican who represents Salt Lake City.”
Back To School
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s weekly Tea Leaf economic update features A Parents Letter to My Children in School, a very popular advice column that Thredgold has published previously.
Ceremony Marks S.R. 201 Completion
The Utah Department of Transportation, legislators and elected officials gather for a ceremony celebrating the completion of the construction of State Route 201. Says Senate Pres. John Valentine: "Investing in transportation projects will generate long-term economic growth in the state while protecting our quality of life. A strong collaboration of legislators, commissioners, city officials and community members made this project a success" (see press release).
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