Matheson is 2006 Election Biggest Winner
The biggest Utah winner in the 2006 election was clearly Rep. Jim Matheson, on two levels. First, his party won control of Congress and he landed a plum position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Second, and more important to his personal political future, his solid victory means he has fully consolidated his grip on the 2nd Congressional District.
Up to now, despite two wins post-redistricting, questions lingered about Matheson’s long-term viability in the district. But after this year’s election, all uncertainty is gone. He can win in the district against solid Republican candidates. The GOP will have trouble fielding good candidates from now on.
The biggest question Matheson will now face is whether he is ready over the next few years for the next step: A run at the governorship or U.S. Senate. Every time one of those seats comes up, he will receive pressure to run. It’s clear he can win big in Salt Lake County, but can he come close enough in Utah and Davis counties for a statewide victory? That question is yet unanswered.
United Way Study on EITC
As many as 40,000 eligible households in Utah do not take advantage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit – leaving between $50 million and $80 million unclaimed each year, according to a 2006 study completed for United Way of Salt Lake. (Read the full article in United Way's twice-monthly newsletter.)
Status Report on USTAR
The Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) economic development initiative is making good progress now that it is operational. The Economic Development Corporation of Utah's weekly newsletter provides a rundown of USTAR activity to date, and reports that Executive Director Ted McAleer has been busy working on USTAR's technology outreach program, while Utah's two major research universities have preliminarily identified 10 innovation areas for which they are developing plans to actively recruit distinguished faculty members.
Washington Watch
New Committee Assignment for Bennnett
Republican Leader-elect Mitch McConnell announces "that when the Senate convenes next month for the 110th Congress Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) will be the new ranking Republican member on the Senate Rules Committee" (see press release).
News Media Watch
How to Improve Reporting
Peter Kann, chairman of Dow Jones and a Pulitizer-winning journalist, says the news media “is in need of some mending.” In an excellent OpinionJournal.com column, Kann describes “10 current trends in the mass media that ought to disturb us.”
The Navel Gazers
William Powers writes about “media narcissism” in his "Off Message” column in NationalJournal.com: “Media stories about the media were once the exception. The more journalism declines into depression and general dysfunction, the more journalists and other media types obsess about themselves. It's all a kind of therapy. Maybe if we just discuss and link and analyze ourselves enough, we'll get out of this fix we're in. Besides, what's more interesting -- other people's problems or your own?”
Blog Watch
At SouthernUtahBlog, Steve Kiggins says: "Thank you, Gov. Huntsman. Your proposed budget, unveiled Tuesday, made me smile. As the father of a young child, public education is among my greatest concerns. I want my daughter to receive the best possible education from the best possible teachers in the safest possible environment. ... If the Legislature backs Huntsman's budget proposal, which includes $3.4 billion for public education, our children -- including my daughter -- will face better odds. ... Does Huntsman's budget proposal solve all of Utah's problems? Absolutely not. But Huntsman's plan is a tremendous step in the right direction, and I urge legislators to work with the governor to continue to support our public education system" (see also here, here, here, and here).... Steven Gardner says: "Joe Cannon is now editor of the Deseret [Morning] News. ... This seems to me to be the worst possible decision the paper could make. ... I'm willing to bet I have as much knowledge of the Internet as Cannon and a heck of a lot more experience in journalism. But I and thousands of others wouldn't consider ourselves nearly qualified enough to even apply for the job. This might work in other businesses, but journalism isn't just another business, the same way policing and baseball aren't just ordinary jobs. Is Joe Cannon so versatile that he could manage the White Sox? Could he step in as police chief? That one member of the board suggested it is astounding enough. That four others eventually agreed shows that the board of that paper is painfully out of touch with what journalism is supposed to be and what it's supposed to appear to be -- fair".... David Frum, defending Mitt Romney's views on gay rights, says: "I would guess that [Romney's Mormon religion] played an important role in his 1994 statements. ... Romney belongs to a church that is one of the most mistrusted major religious groupings in America. And despite all this talk of evangelical dislike of Mormonism, that mistrust runs strongest in east-coast liberal America ... Romney must have felt special pressure to prove that he was not a racist, not a polygamist, not a harborer of unacceptable prejudices. And after all, as one who himself belonged to a church that has often felt the sting of intolerance, he could feel genuine empathy with the exclusion experienced by other unpopular minorities. His 1994 answers all make sense within this context. ... Personally, I find Romney's thinking process on this issue to be a very attractive one. He began with an admirable determination to treat all people fairly. He ended by realizing that in this particular case, the final result would be much more radical than he originally expected -- and so drew back. Like most Americans, he supports both tolerance for all and support for the socially vital institution of the family. He arrives at the right conservative answer without showing animosity or prejudice against any group along the way. What could be more creditable?"
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
-- The ease of snowmobiling in the Morning News along with new maps to help you stay on the right trail
-- Winter birding opportunities abound in the Tribune
-- Morning News on Snowbird’s unique new tunnel
-- Enjoy the view in the Tribune’s Snowshoe Hike of the Week
-- 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
-- Charlotte’s Web: Tribune review
-- The Pursuit of Happyness: Tribune review
Concerts
-- “Sleighs and Shepherds,” Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Sandra N. Lloyd Performing Arts Center, 12830 S. Redwood Road, Riverton, $3-$10
-- Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Jump Cut, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Rose Wag
-- “The Nutcracker,” Mountain West Ballet, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Jordan Middle School, 9360 S. 300 East, $8-$12 (572-6222)
-- Utah Symphony presents Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- WSU Honor Band Concert with the WSU Wind Ensemble, Saturday, 4 p.m., Browning Center, WSU, Ogden, free
-- Jubilate Choir Ensemble, Saturday, 7 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 300 S. 900 East, free
-- “Bringing Christ Back Into Christmas,” Liken family, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Peery's Egyptian Theater
-- Lark & Spur Christmas Concert, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Vieve Gore Hall, Westminster College, 1250 E. 1700 South, $10 (in advance at Hires Big H restaurants)
-- Peter Breinholt Christmas Concert, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Center
-- Wasatch Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Murray Junior High, 751 W. Tripp Lane, Murray, $5
-- West Valley Symphony, Saturday, 8 p.m., Granger High, 3690 S. 3600 West, West Valley City, $5
-- Christmas on Temple Square, Saturday - Dec. 23, times and locations vary, free admission
-- “The Nutcracker” through December 23, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturdays, 2 p.m., SCERA Center
-- Ballet West’s “The Nutcracker” through December 30, Capitol Theatre
Theater
-- “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
-- “It’s A Wonderful Life” through December 23, Odyssey Dance Company
-- “You Can’t Take It With You” through December 23, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “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
-- Holiday Gift Making, Saturday, Discovery Gateway
-- Third Saturday Art Program, Saturday, 2 – 4 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts |
