News Highlights

Depending on mix of transit/highway funding approved for sales tax ballot question in next Tuesday’s special session, one or two proposed new TRAX lines might need to be dropped (Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune).

Former Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini, now a Park City resident, is leading a citizens’ group trying to modernize Summit County government (Park Record).

Goshute leader Leon Bear says state and federal officials who fought a plan to store N-waste on the Skull Valley reservation betrayed his tribe, and adds: "We want to be part of the community. They want us to be out here, I guess and die. ... It's not going to happen. We're not going to go away" (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News).

Rep. Jim Matheson agrees with Nev. Sen. Harry Reid that the feds should be more involved in prosecuting polygamy crimes (Tribune).

Quote of the Day

“The U. must be subject to the Legislature and its laws. It is a pity, though, that in this case, the law is on the wrong side of public safety and common sense.”

-- Tribune editorial agreeing with a recent Utah Supreme Court decision, but arguing that the Legislature should allow state universities to ban guns on campus.

National Politics

Fear and Loathing

In his “On the Trail” column, National Journal’s Chuck Todd looks at Republican and Democratic strategies going into the last seven weeks of the 2006 campaign. Borrowing a phrase from “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson, Todd says Republicans are using “fear,” and Democrats are using “loathing.”

House is at Tipping Point

Charlie Cook’s “Off to the Races” column in NationalJournal.com says, “While Democratic hopes of winning a Senate majority still look decidedly uphill, over the last three months we've seen more and more GOP House seats move into the vulnerable column or worse, for them, into extremely vulnerable status. … A race-by-race, ‘micro-political’ count today suggests that the House is right at the tipping point, with Republicans losing about 12-18 seats, but the outcome is more likely to be higher than this range than lower, perhaps significantly so.”

Economy Looks Solid

Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s weekly Tea Leaf economic update looks at broad economic indicators. The bottom line: “U.S. economic growth during the past 36 months has been impressive.  Stable growth is likely to continue.  In addition, we expect:  another 12-digit budget imbalance…slowing employment gains…declining inflation pressures…relative stability in both short- and long-term interest rates…soft coastal housing markets, with more solid interior performance…and an anxious but impressive global marketplace.”  

Learn About Gondola Plan

An open house will be held on Sept. 28, 6-9 p.m., "to discuss Ogden's future transportation plans. Representatives from Wasatch Front Regional Council, UTA, and Ogden City Administration will be present to answer residents' questions by providing accurate information regarding the proposed transit systems, including the gondola.” Location is the Ogden Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue. Stations will be set up and manned by individuals who can answer questions concerning Ogden's future transportation plans. At 7 p.m., Mayor Matthew Godfrey will give a brief presentation. For more info, click here.

Blog Watch

The Zion Mojave Wilderness Blog says: "According to Environment & Energy Daily, of the four controversial 'quid pro quo' wilderness bills, one is opposed unanimously by national and grassroots conservation groups, local activists, and national opinion, and that's [the Washington Co. growth bill recently introduced in Congress by Sen. Bob Bennett and Rep. Jim Matheson]. The others, for all their controversy and problems, were at least negotiated with local stakeholders -- but Bennett's bill is a half-baked, back-room deal for local developers, with no stakeholder negotiation or public involvement. It is so not ready for prime time. There's controversial, and then there's just plain shoddy piece of junk legislation. Bennett's is both" (see also here and here)... Education in Utah says: "I am getting really concerned by Governor Huntsman's desire for additional tax cuts. Every income tax cut is less money for public and higher education. The $70 million cut in the ill-advised special session is probably a given, but now the Governor is clamoring for more cuts. ... The economy is doing well with the current amounts of income taxes being collected -- let's allow education to reap the benefits of our thriving economy."

Campaign Tip

Designing an Effective Yard Sign

(Source:  Joe Garecht, Local Victory)

As election day draws near each year, political signs and banners start to spring up everywhere, from roadside lawns to supermarket windows.  Sometimes, these signs do their job well.  They’re easy to remember and have an impact.  As often as not, though, campaigns waste valuable resources by posting political signs that are hard to read, hard to remember or otherwise miss their mark.  You can avoid this fate by designing political signs with their purpose and your image in mind.

Purposes of Political Signs

Before designing your signs, you need to know that political signs serve only three individual purposes in a campaign:  raising name identification, getting out the vote, and scaring your opponent. The most important of these purposes is raising name ID.  Strategic sign placement, coupled with the repetition of seeing your sign over and over again, can significantly raise consciousness of your campaign in the minds of the voters.  Another great use of signs is to aid in your get-out-the-vote efforts.  Posting your signs in areas where your candidate enjoys high levels of support will serve to reinforce your candidate and his or her message in the minds of your voters as they go to the polls on Election Day.  Finally, a well orchestrated sign campaign can scare your opponent and his or her campaign by making them think (or letting them know) that you enjoy high levels of support as demonstrated by the number of signs bearing your name that keep popping up all over the district.

What to Put on Your Sign

The number one mistake campaigns make in designing signs is trying to cram too much information onto the front of their signs.  The only information you need to put on your signs is the name of the candidate, along with the office he or she is running for.  That’s it.  Of course, you can put a small phrase like “Vote for…” or “Re-Elect…” in front of the candidate’s name, but you do not need to put any other information on the sign.  Voters walking or driving by your sign simply don’t have time to remember anything else.

How Big Should They Be?

Your campaign can and should use different size signs where appropriate.  Make sure the signs aren’t too small, though, or they will not be able to be read by voters driving by.  Standard signs are usually around 18” X 24”, but may be a little bigger or smaller depending on your vendor and your community regulations.  Most campaigns like to use larger signs as well that can be used on the sides of busy highways and large lawns.  These signs usually range from 4’ x 8’ to 8’ X 8’ or larger.

What Material Should You Use?

There are a variety of materials that can be used in constructing political signs.  The main factors to take into consideration are the length of time the signs will be up and the expected weather conditions they will be exposed to.  Corrugated plastic signs are the most durable, but also the most expensive.  Weather-coated poster board signs hold up moderately well and are generally much cheaper than corrugated plastic.  Standard poster-board signs won’t hold up well in foul weather, and don’t last as long.  These should only be used when the signs will be up for no more than a few days, such as get out the vote signs. Even then, if it rains, the signs will rapidly deteriorate.

Color

The colors you choose for your signs must make them easy to read.  They must contrast and be easy on the eye.  Standard color combinations include red/white, blue/white, blue, red and white, yellow/black, green/white, and black/white.  If at all possible, the colors you use for your signs should be the same color scheme you use on all of your other materials, including brochures, palm cards, etc. Before deciding on a color scheme and design, take the 3 second / 30 feet test.  Have an associate take the sign and walk 30 feet away from you.  Have him or her hold the sign up at you for three seconds.  If you can’t clearly read the information on the sign in that time, then you need to redesign your sign to make it clearer.

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Utah in the National News

Officials who want to pump water from valleys on the Utah/Nevada border to Las Vegas say their "plans do not deserve to be lumped in with what is widely considered the most disastrous water exportation project in American history. For one thing, they say, water managers are now subject to a host of environmental laws that didn't exist in the early 1900s, when Los Angeles water officials descended on the Owens Valley in search of water for their growing city. As a result of that ever-expanding project, a 63-mile stretch of the Owens River ran dry and Owens Lake was reduced to a sun-baked mud flat" (Las Vegas Review-Journal).

School administrator says of a dispute about the way math is taught in Utah's Alpine School District: "Other than the war in Iraq, I don't think there's anything more controversial to bring up than math. The debate will drive us eventually to be in the right place" (Wall Street Journal).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Goshute says feds, state let the tribe down

- Tax deal may spell derail for TRAX

- Schools domain taken by porn

- Treasurer charged with felony misuse of money

- Matheson concurs with Reid on the thorny issue

- Official explains delay in Hispanic Affairs post

- A decade cools the controversy

- Editorial: Wilderness lost: Congress can't create wilderness, only ruin it

- Editorial: Guns at the U.: Utah Supreme Court upholds wrongheaded policy

Standard-Examiner

- Editorial: Pure evil

Logan Herald Journal

- Utah gas prices still high despite national drops

City Weekly

- The Ocho

- Hits & Misses

- Evans vs. Rocky: Anderson's retirement could end one big city grudge match

- Editorial: Lost in the Plot: Conspiracy mongers couldn't have asked for more after BYU placed Profesor Steven Jones on paid leave

KCPW

- Huntsman to lead trade mission to China

- Huntsman moves ahead with tax cut despite education concerns

- What is up with Utah's high gas prices?

- Advocates to ask SLC mayor for poverty task force

- Solar panels power Salt Palace

Daily Herald

- Orem changes group home ordinance

The Spectrum

- Why are gas prices still high?

- Land sales maps ready for public viewing

Park Record

- Corradini: government change is key

- Businesses on their own for trash collection

- Editorial: Radical trash hauling proposal is premature

Deseret Morning News

- Surplus helps tax plan

- Utah's 4th-seat debate heads to Congress panel

- High Utah gas prices blamed on refineries

- BYU's Jones denies bias

- Goshute leader calls N-waste rulings 'thin'

- Head counts disputed: 3 towns are urged to challenge census figures

- Israeli calls for closer ties between America, Israel

- TRAX, rail-funding plans may go on ballot

- Davis to issue bonds for center

- Activists urge stronger security at nuclear plants

- Alternate exam sought

- Tax cut still on Demo agenda

- Provo District sells $9.4 million in bonds

- Editorial: Help shape Salt Lake's future

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Sept 14: Fifth session of the 2006 Sutherland Transcend Series, 8:30 am. Breakfast Keynote presented by Sen. John L. Valentine, president of the Utah State Senate. Morning Seminar and Afternoon Workshop by Dr. Quinn McKay, respected professor, consultant and author of three books on ethics and integrity.  Topic: "Ethical Fitness – Being an Authentic Leader.” The first twenty registrants will receive a copy of Dr. McKay’s most recent book, The Bottom Line on Integrity, prior to the session. Contact Stan Rasmussen at 801-355-1272 or si@sutherlandinstitute.org .
- Sept 14: Water Issues Task Force, 9 a.m., room W125.
- Sept 14: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM features an update from Black Diamond CEO Peter Metcalf, who has been in Washington, D.C., lobbying against the Washington County Growth and Conservation Act; plus an opposing viewpoint from outdoor retailer Doug Syphus, who supports the land use bill co-sponsored by Senator Bob Bennett and Congressman Jim Matheson; Gregory Castle of No More Homeless Pets on this weekend’s Super Pet Adoption. Call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org.
- Sept 14: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum: Understanding Mexico’s Election Crisis, 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255. Guests include Claudio Holzner, Assistant Professor, Political Science Department, U of U; Allison Rowland, Professor of Public Administration at CIDE, Mexico City, visiting professor at the IPIA (Institute of Public and International Affairs), U of U; Raul Lopez Vargas, Ethnologist and Social Activist from Mexico City; Susie Porter, Associate Professor of History and Gender Studies, U of U.
- Sept 14: Gov. Huntsman to testify before Congress, 2 p.m., Washington D.C.
- Sept 14: USTAR Board Meeting, 4:15 p.m., Governor's Board Room. Agenda will be voting on Executive Director.
- Sept 15: Gov. Huntsman to attend HB 407 Event with Terry Schow, 10 a.m., Fort Douglas Military Museum.
- Sept 15: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum: Immigrants Transforming Utah: Entering a New Era of Diversity, 12 p.m., University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255. Guest is Pam Perlich, senior research economist, University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, David S. Eccles School of Business Co-sponsor- The Institute for Public and International Affairs.
- Sept 15: Salt Lake County Republican Party Constitution Day Picnic, 5 to 9 p.m., Wheeler Farm, 6351 South 900 East, Murray. Free Food and Entertainment for the entire family. Invited guest include Sen. Hatch, Rep. LaVar Christensen and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. County and Statewide Republican Candidates will also attend. For more information, contact Ozwald Balfour at 801-842-5630 or ozmedia@msn.com.
- Sept 15: Salt Lake County Northeast Quadrant Constitution Party meeting, 7 p.m., Home of Gary & Carolyn Alder, 4046 S 700 W, Salt Lake City.
- Sept 16: LDS Home Educators Conference, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Salt Lake Community College Larry Miller Campus. Paul Mero, President of Sutherland Institute, will speak on "Home Schooling and Freedom." Paul and his wife, Sally, have been home schooling their six children for the past 18 years.
- Sept 16: Weber County Constitution Party meeting, 10 a.m., Main Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden.
- Sept 16: Green Party Honk 'n' Wave for Peace "U.S. Out of Iraq, Now," featuring Bob Brister, Green Candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, 10 to 11 a.m., NW corner, intersection of State Street and 6400 South. For more information see www.bristerforcongress.org.
- Sept 16: Lt. Gov. Herbert to address attendees of the Silver Beaver Awards Dinner, 4 p.m., BYU Wilkinson Center Main Ballroom, Provo.
- Sept 18-22: America's Legislators Back to School Kick-Off Week. For more information see legislature website.
- Sept 18: Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee, 9 a.m., room W135.
- Sept 19: Utah International Trade Commission, 9 a.m., room W125.
- Sept 19: Lt. Gov. Herbert to speak at the Department of Water Resources "Slow the Flow" end of watering year press event, 11 a.m., State Capitol Complex, Salt Lake City.
- Sept 19: Legislative Management Committee, 11 a.m., room W135.
- Sept 19: Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum: Campaign 2006 The Race for Senate District 2, 2 p.m., University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255. Scott McCoy (D) v. Joseph Jarvis (R).
- Sept 20: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See legislative calendar for details.
- Sept 20: Marriott Library presents The September Project 2006: The U.S. Immigration Debate: Local Issues and Global Implications, 12 to 1 p.m., Libby Gardner Hall. Rachel
Swarns, Washington correspondent for The New York Times since 2003, will speak about the issue of immigration and the surrounding politics.
- Sept 21-22: Green Party candidate Bob Brister, Candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, will be at the University of Utah for Redfest, www.bristerforcongress.org.

- See the entire calendar