News Highlights

Article: "[Gov. Huntsman] is in his element [as he leads Utah's weeklong trade mission to China]. He presents plate after plate emblazoned with the state's logo, washes his hands with warm hot towels delivered by uniformed servers and eats whatever is put in front of him with chopsticks. He waits patiently while government translators interpret his English for a Chinese audience. And then, to their delight, he slips in a Mandarin idiom, delivering what seems to be a private joke and proving he doesn't really need the interpreter. The Chinese are thoroughly charmed" (Salt Lake Tribune) (see also related Daily Herald, Deseret Morning News, and Morning News stories).

Article: "Before a strong audience Tuesday night, community leaders launched a year-long process to sculpt the future of Washington County. Vision Dixie, heralded by its steering committee as a 'county-wide conversation about our future,' will invite public input to generate a diverse range of possible scenarios, out of which one long-term growth strategy will emerge for the region" (St. George Spectrum).

Quote of the Day

"I'm not sure how much lower of an unemployment rate you can get. I don't think it's even possible."

-- Mark Knold, senior economist with the Utah Department of Workforce Services, on Utah’s full employment status, with unemployment at only 2.8% in September. Job growth was a sizzling 5% last year, the highest in a decade (Tribune).

Guv Lucky on Friday the 13th

Despite being held on Friday the 13th, the Governor’s Gala fundraising event at the Salt Palace was a big success. A lot of Republicans let their hair down a bit, had fun and danced the night away. A highlight was the Governor’s Band, featuring Gov. Huntsman, Channel 2 anchor Mark Koelbel, the governor’s son Will Huntsman, and auto dealer Brent Brown performing some classic rock. The event also featured the Kendra Lowe Band and Kurt Bestor as MC. Some in attendance estimated the crowd at close to 2,000 people. At $250 a ticket, that’s a lot of money raised.

Blog Watch

Reach Upward observes: "Politicians live in a glass house where perception is usually as important as -- and sometimes more important than -- reality. While people sort of expect failings in their politicians, Mormon politicians are held to a higher standard than the average politician because they profess to follow a higher standard. And when they stumble, it can seem more poignant because they fall from what is purported to be a higher level"... Part of the Plan says: "The closer we get to election day, the less hopeful I am that enough Utahns are going to vote with their heads this time rather than follow the conventional blind obedience and strict allegiance to party affiliation the majority adhere to and evidently hold in higher esteem than principles, values and integrity. Many of my neighbors remain ambiguous about their intentions, and to me that signals resistance to change. I'm running out of arguments based on logic (you know, things like fiscal accountablility, taking care of the poor, infirmed and elderly, open and transparent government, return to the two-party system, securing our childrens' future by improving the public education system, eliminating the greed, corruption and war profiteering that define Washington, D.C. today, withdrawing our troops from the middle of a civil war in a country where the majority of the citizens don't want us there, etc.)"... Utah Taxpayer asks and answers the question: "Why are property tax rates so high in Ogden?"... At Out of Context, Rebecca Walsh reports: "House Speaker Greg Curtis nearly caused an international incident today when he tried to enter China without a visa. Curtis apparently neglected to apply for the document required to come into the country. Usually, offenders are sent right back to where they came from on the next plane. But Curtis called Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s economic development advisers in charge of coordinating this weeks trade mission in China. They, in turn, called the U.S. Embassy. While Theresa Curtis did Sudoku puzzles and read, the speaker arranged for a later flight -- just in case. 'You accept a fate,' Curtis said of his mindset while stuck at the airport. 'It's a reality. If it happens, I'll go home.' But by lunchtime, U.S. Ambassador Sandy Randt reported that Curtis and his wife were safely on their way into Beijing. 'An embassy is a service organization,' Randt said. 'I'm assured your two missing members are on their way.' No word on what the speaker owes the governor for the string-pulling. But Huntsman has an idea: 'It's called all-day K is what it's called,' he said, referring to his all-day Kindergarten initiative rejected by lawmakers last year"... Obiter Dicta by Steve says UPD's Mitt Romney coverage is "annoying"... Paul Bedard reports: "There's been a lot of political buzz about Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's 2008 bid for the Republican presidential nomination, and now I know why: In one swoop, his Commonwealth PAC this week hired what could be the A-team of political consultants. 'Mitt Romney means business,' says media guru Alex Castellanos. The proof: Romney picked one of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's longtime advisers, Sally Bradshaw, who has worked for both President Bushes and was Jeb Bush's chief of staff for a while. What does her hiring mean? 'Where Sally Bradshaw goes, a lot of Jeb Bush's people will follow,' says Castellanos, of National Media Inc. And, of course, unlike his brother, Jeb is still very popular" (see also here and here).

Washington Watch

New Staffer for Hatch

Sen. Orrin Hatch names Chris Campbell as his new deputy legislative director (see press release).

Cannon Hails Terrorist Tribunal Bill

Rep. Chris Cannon says of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which Pres. Bush authorized yesterday: "With this critical legislation, we have given the people who keep us safe the tools they need to do their jobs and save American lives. It was an honor to work on this bill, and I applaud President Bush for signing this important legislation into law" (see press release).

Matheson Pushes Pay Raise Vote

Article mentions Rep. Jim Matheson's annual efforts to force a direct vote on the automatic 2% yearly congressional pay raise "so members are clearly on the record about the issue." Says Matheson: "[Members of Congress are] hesitant ... to take a true up-or-down vote on whether to increase their pay. I think [the $165,200 congressional salary] is a lot of money" (USA Today).

Local Watch

Godfrey Welcomes Amer Sports Corp. to Ogden

Mayor Matthew Godfrey hails Amer Sports Corporation's decision to move its North American headquarters to Ogden: "We want to thank the State of Utah, EDCU, the Governor's Office and the Ogden City team that all worked tirelessly to make this day come around. But most of all, we want to thank Mike Dowse and the Amer team for their vision and passion. Their announcement to make Ogden home has also just made Ogden the most exciting town in the country to be a part of. We are committed to making Ogden The High Adventure Recreation Capital and with this incredible announcement from Salomon, Atomic and Suunto, we are well on our way" (see press release).

National Politics

Article: "With the Democrats trying to pick up 15 seats to take control of the House and six in the Senate, they are looking to the West, where a half-dozen House races and the Montana Senate race could help determine the new lineup. Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada are the main flash points. All four states have undergone seismic demographic and political shifts. ... Add it all up, and Democrats hope a new day is dawning. 'We intend to contest Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada as a unit next time in the presidential because we think we can win there,' Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told U.S. News. Dean's theory is that, with a combined total of 29 electoral votes, those four states would make it unnecessary for the Democrats to win Florida, with 27 electoral votes, which they have lost in the last two down-to-the-wire presidential elections. 'Bill Clinton won every single one of those states at one time or another,' Dean added" (U.S. News & World Report).

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Mitt Romney Watch

After watching Mitt Romney speak at a pro-traditional marriage political rally over the weekend, conservative columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez says: "If Liberty Sunday in Boston is any indication, there may be something to Romney's optimism -- there may, in fact, be no Mormon problem. To put it less than Christianly: It's the issues, stupid. Perhaps, despite polls and chatter suggesting hesitancy among evangelicals or others to vote for a generic Mormon, once they see that the Mormon is a politician with an in-sync record who gives a stirring speech, singing the right tune, at an already rockin' black evangelical church, the so-called Mormon problem may be a moot point" (National Review Online).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Huntsman charms Chinese

- City Council puts off vote on smoking ban in parks

- Granite's board delays discussion

- District 4 voters are hard to pin down

- Rolly: Law has long arm, lead foot

- Brian Head to build ski bridge

- Warm Springs could save transit garage big bucks

- Grade school seeking switch to K-8 format

- West Valley revival

- Census Bureau boosts West Valley's population

- Utah basks in job growth

- Pleasant Grove unveils its plan for convention center

- A new Ogden plant and the A-700 jet propel Adam Aircraft

- Report confirms Utah fish sales gutted

- Editorial: Kindergarten 101: Guv's plan for optional full-day classes hits target

- Editorial: Ford in the 11th: New blood needed to replace Stephenson

Standard-Examiner

- Vets say Layton park neither accessible nor big enough

- Interim Davis Chamber head selected

- Editorial: A marriage landmark

St. George Spectrum

- Vision Dixie has strong showing to plan future

- County receives petition for Apple Valley dissolution

- Cedar Council asks for public input

- SUU ranked as one of nation's best ... again

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- Attorney, ag expert face off for top county job

- Old folks meet the candidates

- PTA to host candidates night at THS auditorium

Daily Herald

- Day 2: Meeting with the Ministry

- County asked to join P.G. in hotel land deal

- American Fork residents will vote on water system upgrades in Nov.

- Utah job growth still high

- Canadian firm thinks Lisbon Valley will produce more uranium

- Editorial: Pay for transit starting now

Park Record

- Plan would link Park City, Salt Lake resorts

- Tunnels deemed 'easy' but pricey

- LDS Church aims to sell land at Kimball Junction

- Sheriff and ex-lawman launch campaign barbs

- Conservation deals remain elusive

- Voters can still grill candidates

- Editorial: County's future is in your hands

KCPW

- Upping enforcement for mortgage fraud

- West Valley City is 2nd largest in Utah

- Preliminary ski tunnel plans cause confusion

- Immigration fueling 1/4 of Utah's growth

- Vote early, now, avoid long lines on Nov. 7th

Davis County Clipper

- Wilcox running in Dist. 15

- Gas retailers livid over gouging report

- Demo commission hopefuls speak

- 'Ghost town' making way for commuters

- Her point: Guns have no place in the schoolroom

- His point: Teachers should be able to protect

Deseret Morning News

- Jobs up, inflation down

- Patience stressed in trade with China

- Wining, dining prompts lessons in etiquette

- Tax $$ sought for hotel

- Salt Lake delays vote on smoke ban

- What the proposed Salt Lake smoking ban would do

- Juneteenth recognition a shoo-in?

- School security pushed

- Restrictions on tire store likely will be eased

- Pleasant Grove approves annexation

- So long, Provo; West Valley is No. 2

- Salt Lake County agrees to build dog park

- Draper folks protest proposed TRAX line

- School-boundary study shaking Davis

- Granite board takes no stand on district split

- USTAR is courting universities

- Centerville residents question pipeline plan

- 3 hearings focus on transportation plan

- Open-door meetings with Corroon Thursday

- Utah sells its versatility as film location

- 2 finalists named for Utah utility watchdog

- Utah receives top honor for jobless insurance

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Oct 18: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See legislative calendar for details.
- Oct 18: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM features Jesse Soriano, the newly appointed director of Hispanic/Latino Affairs in the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs; and Ray Suarez, author of the new book The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America. To participate, call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show.
- Oct 18: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "Ray Suarez - The Holy Vote," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. In his new book "The Holy Vote," veteran journalist Ray Suarez concedes that it is too late to completely separate religion and politics. For Suarez, the right question is how do we find a way for the two to coexist?
- Oct 18: Meet the Candidates/Fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m., South Jordan Community Center. Voters from Sandy, West Jordan, South Jordan, Harriman, Riverton and Draper are invited to meet Republican candidates for countywide office. Lohra Miller for District Attorney and Carrie Dickson for Clerk as well as all of the other candidates have been invited to personally meet with voters. Refreshments will be provided.
- Oct 19: Utah Intergovernmental Roundtable Summit, continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m., Delta Center. Topic is "Growth = Challenges: A Dialogue on Growth in Utah," and is designed to promote a discussion of the challenges facing the state due to population growth. Education, water, infrastructure, and transportation will all be impacted. To see final agenda and to register, visit http://www.cppa.utah.edu/uir/.
- Oct 19: Utah Technology Commission, 8 a.m., room W110.
- Oct 19: Hinckley Forum " U.S. –Nigeria Relations," 10:45 a.m. His Excellency George A. Obiozor, Ambassador to the U.S. for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Oct 19: Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, 1 p.m., W025.
- Oct 19: Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, 2:30 p.m., room W020.
- Oct 19: United Way of Salt Lake Women’s Philanthropic Network presents The Power of the Purse, 6 p.m., Rice Eccles Stadium, 4th floor. Keynote Speaker: Fara Warner, author of The Power of the Purse. Warner spotlights the roles women encompass in society today, how they have shed traditional roles and how women can be effective in working to change conditions and society for the better. Tickets: $100.00 per person or $800.00 per table. Contact Jennifer Andrs Atkin at 736-7787.
- Oct 19: Healthcare for All in Utah: Pros and Cons of a Proposed Constitutional Amendment, 6:30 p.m., University of Utah College of Law. This event is a discussion about the state's responsibility to provide affordable basic healthcare to all Utahns, and features Senator Scott McCoy, Dr. Joseph Jarvis, attorney Bill Tibbits, and economist Roberta Herzberg.
- Oct 19: Summit County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Starbucks, 6400 North Highway 224, Park City.
- Oct 19: Davis County Democrats planning committee meeting, 7 p.m., Campaign HQ office, 50 West Gentile (corner of Main Street and Gentile), Layton. Agenda includes recruitment of volunteers, and get out the vote activities.  All interested Democrats are urged to attend.  The general public is also invited

- Oct 20: 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.
- Oct 20: Utah Association for Bilingual Education 2006 Conference, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Granite School District Center, 2500 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Dr. Elena Izquierdo, a nationally known expert on bilingualism/biliteracy from UTEP, will be the speaker. The cost is $25 ($10 for students). For more information visit UABE's website, www.uabe.org, or contact Barbara Lovejoy at 801-466-1117 or bclovejoy@msn.com.
- Oct 20: Utah Tax Review Commission, 1 p.m., room W125.

- Oct 20: Salt Lake County Northeast Quadrant Constitution Party meeting, 7 p.m., Home of Gary & Carolyn Alder, 4046 S 700 W, Salt Lake City.
- Oct 21: Weber County Constitution Party meeting, 10 a.m., Main Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden.
- Oct 23: Medicaid Interim Committee meeting, 8:30 a.m., room W135.
- Oct 25: Women’s State Legislative Council Meeting, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., State Office Bldg Auditorium.  Candidates running for United States Congress representing both Parties will speak. Question/Answer. Delegate members are invited & visitors are welcome.  Visitors may call for a Guess Pass to Kitty Kaplan, Pres-Elect at 942-5133, kittykaplan@msn.com. For more info and calendar, visit www.wslcofutah.org.

- See the entire calendar