News Highlights

SL Co. mayors and the County Council to meet today to debate which transportation projects should be funded by the Proposition 3 quarter-cent sales tax hike (Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune).

Tribune editorial argues that state retirement rules should be altered to prevent retirees from double-dipping by returning to the same jobs.

Morning News editorial calls for eliminating the sales tax on food.

Quote of the Day

“What better way to prepare for accelerating population growth than to direct one-time money available now to preventing gridlock down the road.”

-- KSL Radio/TV editorial by Duane Cardall supporting Gov. Huntsman’s budget proposals, especially increased expenditures for education and transportation.  

USTAR Update

USU Implements USTAR Vision

A cover story in the most recent edition of Utah State University’s alumni magazine features Ned Weinshenker, USU’s new vice president for strategic ventures and economic development, in his role coordinating and leading USTAR functions at USU.

Weinshenker has a background in science and technology, but also in economic development. His mission is to promote basic research and development at USU that will result in new businesses. He is coordinating efforts to recruit researchers, prepare good research facilities, while working closely with USTAR executive director Ted McAleer, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the University of Utah.

USTAR was approved and funded in the last two legislative sessions to promote basic research and development at Utah’s universities that will result in new high-tech industries and businesses in Utah, creating high-paying jobs and tax revenues. World-class research teams are being recruited in carefully targeted disciplines that have the potential to grow the economy through innovation and incubation.

The USU magazine also includes three articles on leading-edge businesses that have spun out of USU research, including Andigen, Texel camera and Autonomous Solutions.  

Media Watch

Ruminations on TIME Magazine

The Washington Post’s media columnist Howard Kurtz writes about TIME magazine’s attempt to remake itself for the Internet age. … Meanwhile, OpinionJournal.com column by Jeremy Lott says TIME’s choice of “You” as its “Person of the Year” is “uniquely demented.”

Wise Words

“The belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities impressed with it.”

—James Madison (Source: The Federalist Patriot)

Favorite Headlines

(Source: James Taranto’s Best of the Web on OpinionJournal.com)

• Castro or Pinochet?
  "Man With No Pulse Considered a Medical Breakthrough"--headline, Globe and Mail (Toronto), Dec. 13
• Isn't It Corrupt Enough Already?
  "Leahy Wants FBI to Help Corrupt Iraqi Police Force"--headline, CNN.com, Dec. 13
• Why Not Compromise and Serve Potatoes or Pasta?
  "Dueling Views Pit Baker Against Rice"--headline, New York Times, Dec. 8
• We Didn't Think He Was That Young!
  "Obama Takes First Steps in N.H."--headline, Washington Post, Dec. 11
• Breaking News From 1804
  "Jefferson Re-Elected"--headline, WWL-TV Web site (New Orleans), Dec. 9
• Jiminy, How Could You?
  "I'm So Sorry for Cheating on My Wife, Says Dancing Cricket Star"--headline, Daily Mail (London), Dec. 11

Elected Officials Birthday List

Utah Policy Daily is a service
of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Luci Hollingshead

Utah Policy Daily
American Plaza III, Suite 105
47 West 200 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801.537.0900 Office
801.537.0901 Fax

Special E-Mail Messages: Utah Policy Daily may send subscribers e-mails with information about new features, special offers, or messages on public policy issues from clients and advertisers. If you do not wish to ever receive these e-mails, please let us know by e-mail at daily@utahpolicy.com.

Utah in the National News

Article: "Access to the snow that has blanketed the mountains and filled in the crags of the vast Wasatch-Cache National Forest is reigniting a years-old dispute between snowmobile riders and cross-country skiers over who should be allowed to play on certain public lands here. The federal Forest Service is expected to decide by the end of December among four plans for a tiny, though highly coveted part of Logan Canyon in the 1.2-million-acre forest" (New York Times).

Mitt Romney Watch
Article: "The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing increasingly concerned about the public-perception hit the presidential candidacy of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may have on the Mormon Church. That's one reason the church is looking at what is being called a 'public education' campaign that could reach a budget in the tens of millions in media buys for TV, radio and print. 'There is an expectation that some of the church's more archaic traditions and obscure points of history will become more widely publicized by Governor Romney's opponents in an effort to embarrass him and raise doubts about his faith in the minds of the public,' says a New York-based media consultant who has heard buzz of the potential campaign" (American Spectator) (for more Romney coverage, see Angus Reid Global Monitor story and Byron York column).

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Dec 19: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on NPR Utah, KCPW 88.3 FM, features Sarah Wilhelm of Voices for Utah Children and Heather Tritten of the Utah Community Action Partnership Association on the governor’s budget and its impact on low income families; Keep Delta My Delta is a nationwide campaign being launched today to oppose US Airways and its hostile takeover bid. Delta and Salt Lake Chamber Representatives join Midday Metro today; and Bonnie Petersen of the Midvale-based Family Support Center.
- Dec 19: Holiday Luncheon of the Democratic Women of Utah County, 12 p.m., Riverside Country Club, 2701 N. University Ave. The holiday service project will be providing gifts for a family in need. RSVP to Pat at 801-224-7199.
- 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 4: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., Commissioner's Chambers, Davis Courthouse, Farmington.
- Jan 5: Medicaid Interim Committee, 8:30 a.m., room W135.
- 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 9: Utah State Senate Majority annual leadership breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Grand America Hotel. For more information contact Ric Cantrell 801-673-1603.
- Jan 10: What's Up Down South Washington County Economic Summit, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dixie Center, St. George. Summit will feature economic analysis, breakout sessions and bullet point addresses about 13 of the area's most influential 2007 projects. Early bird registration is $60 per person before Dec 26, $100 per person after the deadline. No tickets sold at the door. Register here, or email summit@dixie.edu.
- Jan 11: Utah Taxpayers Association annual Pre-legislative Conference, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., room W135. Several legislators will discuss proposed legislation, and association will present 2007 legislative agenda. No charge. RSVP to brina@utahtaxpayers.org.
- Jan 11: Annual House Republican Caucus Winter Reception, 5:30  to 7:00 p.m., The Point Restaurant (Huntsman Cancer Research Center).  Please contact Kat Dayton at 801-580-4743 or katdayton@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.
- Jan 11: Parents for Choice in Education annual Educational Freedom Conference, 7 p.m., Little America Hotel Grand Ballroom. Guest is John Fund, editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal. Cost is $25 per person and includes dinner. Platinum Members of PCE are invited as guests of Parents for Choice in Education. For reservations or more information, call Lincoln Fillmore at 801-548-0144.
- Jan 13: Democratic Legislative Gala 2007: A New Generation of Leadership, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Little America Hotel, 500 S Main Street, Salt Lake City. The Gala will honor Congresswoman Karen Shepherd. Please RSVP by Jan 5. For more information, contact tbeard@utdemocrats.org or 801-328-1212 ext. 205.
- 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 18: Utah GOP Annual Legislative Update Breakfast with Speaker Curtis and President Valentine, 7:30 a.m., Little America Hotel. For details contact Abby Balfour at 801-533-9777.
- Jan 20: Administrative Rules Review Committee, 9 a.m., room W135.
- 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.
- Feb 7: A Giant In Our City tribute dinner for Larry H. Miller, 6 p.m. reception followed by dinner at 7 p.m., Grand Ballroom, The Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street.  The cost is $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of ten. Sponsorships available. RSVP by January 31 at www.saltlakechamber.org, giant@saltlakechamber.org or by calling 801-328-5050.  Black tie is invited.  Seating is limited.
- Feb 16: Last day for legislators to prioritize bills with fiscal impact and other programs for new or one time funding.
- Feb 21: Last day for the Executive Appropriations Committee to finalize budget decisions.
- Feb 28: Last day of Legislative session

- See the entire calendar