News Highlights

Senior GOP aide says it's "unlikely" the House will take up a bill that would give Utah a 4th congressional seat during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress (Salt Lake Tribune) (see also related Tribune, Tooele Transcript Bulletin, Associated Press, and Deseret Morning News stories, Tribune editorial, and Bob Bernick column).

Real soccer stadium intrigue continues. See Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4753193 and Morning News stories.

Quote of the Day

"Though rock-ribbed Utah Republicans may be hard-pressed to admit it, the new Democratic majority in Congress may wind up being a boon for their children's schools.”

-- Standard-Examiner editorial noting that the APPLE initiative, started by former Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens, may have a better chance in the Democratic Congress. The initiative would compensate western states for tax loss due to large amounts of federal land.

It’s Holiday Time

Welcome to December. Not that many shopping days left, and three months till spring. It’s a great time of year, so put up a tree, get in the Christmas spirit, and have a great weekend.

Washington Watch

Hatch to Replace Roberts?

Article: "Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas is preparing to leave the Senate Intelligence Committee after an intense four years as chairman, according to Senate officials. ... It's unclear who would replace Roberts as the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah is next in line, but one official said Hatch may prefer to become ranking Republican on another committee. Hatch's office would not comment" (McClatchy Newspapers).

Nine More Blue Dogs

Rep. Jim Matheson is mentioned in a lengthy National Journal cover story on Democratic factionalism in the next Congress:

"I think Blue Dogs were a key factor in putting Democrats in the majority," said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, 46, another outgoing co-chairman of the group. "And so I think Blue Dogs rightfully ought to be an integral part in setting the message and the agenda." The Blue Dog coalition's political action committee, which broke $1 million for the first time in this election, helped elect nine "Blue Puppies" to the House, meaning that the Blue Dogs will be 44 members strong in 2007.

National Politics

In his NationalJournal.com column, John Mercurio outlines the different approaches various 2008 presidential candidates, including Mitt Romney, are taking in launching their campaigns.  

Regional Politics

Nev. Lands Bill Brinkmanship

Article: "It's called the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act, but the pending federal lands bill may have lost the support of its namesake county. The commissioners on Tuesday voted to not back the bill unless money is added to pay for a groundwater study in areas of the county targeted by a massive pipeline to Las Vegas. 'We had to take a stand,' said Commissioner Gary Perea. 'Right now, water is the most important issue in White Pine County'" (Las Vegas Review-Journal).

Wise Words

“The government is like a baby’s alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.”

-- Ronald Reagan

Podcast Watch

This week’s InsideUtah.com podcast by Jennifer Napier-Pearce features University of Utah political science professor Matt Burbank (:42) on the messy process of carving up political boundaries; K-UTE station manager Alfred Quinn (8:27) on a college radio station on the brink; and climate scientist Dr. Kevin Trenberth (15:52) on global warming and its effect on the Beehive State.  Jennifer has also started an InsideUtah.com Weblog to supplement her podcast show and to allow listeners to comment and discuss issues. At this point the blog is an experiment and the formatting isn't finished, but Jennifer is looking for constructive feedback.

Blog Watch
The Senate Site reports: "The Governor has just called us into Special Session: Monday, December 4, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. Here is the Proclamation. Three bills will be discussed. The first bill and primary objective of the Special Session draws new congressional district boundaries. That one will start in the Senate. ... As always you will be able to listen live on-line, by dropping by the Official Legislative Site" (see also here).... The Senate Site also provides a complete list of Senate committee assignments for the 2007 session. ….At SouthernUtahBlog, Ed Kociela condemns Larry H. Miller over the Delta Center/EnergySolutions Arena deal... Jesse Harris says: "Seems that Real Salt Lake can't come up with detailed financial projections in a timely fashion in order to get the county money flowing. ... Dave Checketts throws the adult equivalent of a temper tantrum when the county won't give him a big chunk of money with few strings attached and no voter approval required, so it's little surprise that he'd still have a 'just give us the money' attitude. It would be dangerous for Real to put their handout up for voter approval. After all, voters in many cities and many states said 'heck no' to handouts to sports teams.”.... At Out of Context, Robert Gehrke reports: "Mitt Romney has signed up two top architects of the Bush tax cuts for his potential presidential run: Glenn Hubbard, dean of the Columbia Business School, and Greg Mankiw, an economics professor at Harvard. Mankiw, however, is probably best known for a rather ill-fated moment of candor in 2004. As chairman of the president's Council of Economic Advisors, he was presenting the annual Economic Report of the President when he praised the benefits of free trade and said: 'I think outsourcing is a growing phenomenon, but it's something that we should realize is probably a plus for the economy in the long run.' At that point, the you-know-what hit the inexpensive, Chinese-made fan. Coming in the midst of a contentious presidential election, Mankiw's comment was seized on by Democrats who said it showed the Bush administration's insensitivity to the plight of the displaced American manufacturing worker. Even House Speaker Dennis Hastert jumped on the bandwagon, saying Mankiw's outsourcing assertion 'failed a basic test of real economics.' Now, if you read Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat, you might be convinced that Mankiw was right. If your job has been shipped to India, it might be a tougher sale. At any rate, Mankiw has a new side gig consulting Romney -- a job unlikely to be headed overseas anytime soon" (see also here, here, here, and here).

Casual Friday

Outdoors Report

-- Visit the DWR Web site for the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing reports. Ice is forming quickly in high-country lakes and ice fishing will be going strong by Christmas

-- Morning News keeps the Olympic spirit alive

-- Tribune cautions ice-anglers to stay safe

-- Ski and snowboard races at Utah ski resorts in the Morning News

-- Project WILD enhances learning in Utah’s classrooms in the Tribune

-- Tribune’s Snowshoe Hike of the Week explores Dog Lake

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

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

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

New Films

-- The Nativity Story:  Tribune review  

-- Turistas:  Rotten Tomatoes

Concerts

-- “The Messiah,” Pleasant Grove Orchestra, Friday , 7 p.m., Pleasant Grove High School auditorium, 700 E. 200 South, Pleasant Grove, free

-- University of Utah Wind Ensemble, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U. $3-$7     

-- Christmas Around the World: “The Gathering,” Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Marriott Center, BYU., $10-$25

-- “Nutcracker,” Utah Artists Junior Ballet Company, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Juan Diego Catholic High School, 11800 S. 300 East, $5-$8, (755-1371 or 571-4788)

-- UVSC Annual Ballroom Dance Concert, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Ragan Theater, UVSC, Orem, $10 (801-863-9797)

-- “Going Baroque,” chamber and popular music, Saturday, 4 p.m., Thompson Chamber Music Hall, U., free

-- Barrage, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City, $18-$65     

-- Salvation Army Angel Tree Benefit Concert, Hanna & McEuen, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Cottonwood High School Auditorium, 5717 S. 1300 East, $12
-- “Gloria,” A Choral Ensemble Holiday Concert, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U.

-- Holiday Choral Concert, Westminster College Chamber Singers, Griffin Chorus, Griffin Men's Chorus, Saturday, 8 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, 1840 S. 1300 East, Westminster College, free

-- Christmas on Temple Square, Saturday - Dec. 23, times and locations vary, free admission

Theater

-- “Ice Glen” through December 3, Salt Lake Acting Company

-- “Return to Christmas” through December 9, SCERA Center

-- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” through December 11, Sugar Factory Playhouse

-- “A Christmas Story” through December 16, Draper Historic Theatre

-- “A Christmas Carol” through December 22, Terrace Plaza Playhouse

-- “A Christmas Carol” through December 23, Hale Center Theater Orem

-- “A Christmas Carol” through December 23, Rodgers Memorial Theatre

-- “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” through December 23, Center Street Musical Theatre

-- “Forever Scrooge” through December 29, The Off-Broadway Theatre

-- “The Santaland Diaries” through December 30, Tooth & Nail Theatre Company

-- “Savior of the World” through December 30, LDS Conference Center

-- “Spirit of the Holidays” through December 30, Desert Star Dinner Theatre

-- “White Christmas” through December 30, Egyptian Theatre Company

-- “Jack Frosty: He'Snowman to Mess With” through January 6, Desert Star Cabaret

Museum Exhibits

-- Five Outer Planets Exhibition through December 27, Unseen Shores:  The Post-Vietnam Era from the U.S. Navy Art Collection through January 13, Peace Garden Exhibition through January 27, Salt Lake Art Center

-- Painters of the Wasatch Mountains Exhibition through January 28, Museum of Utah Art and History

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

Et Cetera

-- Broadway Merchants Holiday Stroll, Friday, 12 – 8 p.m., 300 South between 200 East and 400 East

-- Holiday Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., Downtown

-- The Festival of Trees, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., South Towne Expo Center

Utah in the National News

Article: "The Utah legislature will meet in special session on Monday to debate a redistricting map adding a fourth congressional seat to the state's delegation as part of a deal to give the District of Columbia its first voting representative in Congress" (Congressional Quarterly).

Article: "A federal judge ruled that a Clinton-era ban on road construction in national forests applies to hundreds of oil and gas leases sold by the Bush administration. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Laporte's ruling Wednesday means that holders of more than 300 leases that permit oil and gas exploration in national forests cannot build roads to access those areas. ... The oil and gas leases cover more than 340,000 acres in seven Western states, including 179,000 in Utah, 87,000 in Colorado and 55,000 in North Dakota" (Associated Press).

Mitt Romney Watch
Article: "Last anyone checked, Senator John McCain of Arizona is not -- and has never been -- a governor. But no matter. Mr. McCain turned up on Thursday morning at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa here for a guerrillalike visit to the annual meeting of the Republican Governors Association. That is a group headed by Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts governor who is widely viewed as Mr. McCain's chief rival for their party's 2008 presidential nomination. As Mr. Romney gamely presided over the morning session of the meeting, Mr. McCain commandeered a room at the Doral Resort for eight hours of meetings with nine Republican governors ... On Thursday evening, many of those at the conference were bused to an elaborate reception, courtesy of Mr. McCain, at a resort hotel in Miami Lakes. ... [T]he fact that Mr. McCain decided to fly here for three days and spend $50,000 on a reception that lathered governors with platters of shrimp and three open bars suggests just how much Mr. Romney has complicated his efforts to position himself as the inevitable nominee" (New York Times) (see also related Boston Globe, Washington Times, and AgapePress stories).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Renegade proposals arise for District 4

- 4th-seat action is doubtful

- BLM shake-up an issue for Cannon

- Is Romney's religion a non-factor?

- Judge rules against building roads to oil and gas leases

- Counties submit road claims

- Utah housing market makes national waves

- Davis School District: Red flags ignored?

- RSL secrecy may kill stadium

- Excerpts from stadium exchanges

- Declining Medicaid enrollment has Utah health officials scratching their heads

- Rolly: Intrigue may bring demotion

- New police academy honors the Millers

- DA-elect Miller chooses her second-in-command

- Library project for Highland keeps building up more steam

- Recount audit finds no discrepancies

- Salt Lake Valley's fun side? Go west

- Natural gas users to get tax break on December bill

- Utah wage growth outpaces the nation

- Editorial: Plan L: Latest plan for four congressional seats makes sense

Standard-Examiner

- Outstanding small-town value

- Bogus Basin scores, Sun Valley fails on green report

- Editorial: An APPLE for education

St. George Spectrum

- Talk is cheap, homes aren't

- Committee work goes forward on prairie dog issues

- Councilors approve zoning amendments

- Op-ed: Complete Vision Dixie first

- Op-ed: Let's get real and talk about Washington County's future

- Editorial: Attraction of Port 15 grows

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- Fourth U.S. House seat could strengthen Tooele's voice

- County leaders defend multiple contracts for Salt Lake developer

Daily Herald

- Alpine seeks new prosecutor

- Utah's 4th seat up in the air amid changes on Capitol Hill

- Candidates sought for District 62

- Editorial: Punishment for molesters

Davis County Clipper

- Hurry up-and-wait limbo

- City leaders seek community theater via RAP tax

- Skate park gets the ax once again

- County officials address Bountiful on storm issues

- Grant will aid homeless families

- Mother: No gun sales next to school

- Rolf Koecher: Public input is essential; so is fairness & balance

KCPW

- Meth Initiative Wants More $$ for Treatment Programs

- West-Side Boom May Bump Jordan Enrollment by 34 Percent

- Are Utah Wages Really 20% Behind the Nation?

Deseret Morning News

- Federal ruling affects oil and gas leases in Utah

- Senate sets committee assignments

- Special session set Monday on districts

- Rate cap sought on 'payday' borrowing

- Citizenship test gets a makeover

- School board seeks 'a carrot'

- Utah ranks 36th in the conservation of private property

- Charter enrollments double

- College spotlight to focus on intelligent design

- Schedule of today's intelligent-design discussions

- Lee Benson: A surprising new voice of alarm on Iraq situation

- S.L. gets tips on revitalizing downtown

- County, Real bad blood lingering?

- SLCC dedicates its Miller Center

- EnergySolutions to study possible plant sites

- Salt Lake-Ogden ranks 37th healthiest

- Honors — laudable and the dubious

- Kaysville within top 25 for 'affordable suburbs'

- Judge refuses to alter Nevada water ruling

- Daggett is declared drought disaster area

- South Jordan fees costliest

- Bob Bernick Jr.: Why is GOP so nice about redistricting?

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Dec 1: Last day for governmental entities to request bills without floor approval.
- Dec 1: Last day for legislators to prioritize up to three bills.
- Dec 1: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on KCPW 88.3 FM, Utah’s NPR station, talks about World AIDS Day with Stuart Merrill of the Campaign to End AIDS Utah Chapter, Dr. Carl Dieffenbach of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of AIDS, and Edwin Espinel, ethnic health coordinator for Utah’s HIV prevention program. To participate, call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show.
- Dec 1: American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) luncheon, 12:00 p.m., Auditorium of the State Office Building. The topic will be "The State Spending Cap."  Speakers will be Representative Greg Hughes and John Nixon, Director of the Governor's Office of Planning & Budget.  Reservations are required. Call Jolaine Randall at 801-581-6493 or email jrandall@cppa.utah.edu by Nov. 29th.
- Dec 2: Innovation: Celebrating Youth's Vision of Utah Politics 2006 Young Democrat Convention, 5 to 8 p.m. with reception to follow, University of Utah Union Building, Saltair Room 200 S. Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City. Participants will hear from US Congressman Jim Matheson and elect the group's new leadership for the upcoming year. All politically active young adults ages 18-35 are encouraged to attend.  For more informaiton visit www.YoungDemsofUtah.org.
- Dec 4: Special Legislative Session, 10:30 a.m., State Capitol Complex.
- Dec 6: Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee, 8 a.m., room W125.
- Dec 7: Utah Technology Council seminar "Leveraging New Media: True Tales from the Utah Trenches," 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., University of Phoenix, 5373 Green St., Room 105. Cost is $10 for UTC members and $20 for non-UTC members.  The seminar is on on blogging as a corporate communications tool. Susan Richards of Altiris and Noelle Bates of Logoworks will present lessons learned and strategy recommendations on how to leverage blogging in corporate communications.
- Dec 7: PRW (Professional Republican Women) Holiday Event, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Governor's Mansion. Lunch will be catered by Panache. Guests are welcome. Cost is $35.00 with a tour of the mansion after the event optional at 2 p.m. RSVP by November 30 to make the mansion security list; bring picture ID. Call Melanie to RSVP at
801-891-6926 or email at melmrogers@yahoo.com.
- Dec 7: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee meeting, 7 p.m., Davis County Courthouse room 114, 28 East State Street, Farmington. Agenda includes discussion of President's Day Dinner, Davis County Convention, Constitution Essay Contest, and a report from the Phoenix Committee.  Legislative District Chairpersons and all interested democrats are urged to attend this meeting.
- Dec 20: Last day for Executive Appropriations Committee to set initial budget matters.
- Dec 28: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Grecian Garden, 4816 South State Street, Murray.
- Jan 9: United Way of Salt Lake third annual Legislative Preview Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown. For more information, please contact Bryson Despain at 801-736-7709.
- Jan 15: First day of Legislative session.

- Jan 17: Local Officials' Day at the Legislature, State Capitol and Sheraton City Centre, Salt Lake City.
- Jan 25: Last day to request bills without floor approval (by noon).
- Jan 25: Last day to approve bills for numbering without floor approval (by noon).
- Jan 31: County Officials Day at the Legislature, Utah State Capitol.
- Feb 3: Utah County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner, Utah Valley State College ballroom.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List

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