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Communications: Key to Winning the Political Game

Most political failures are failures of communications. Most political wins are triumphs of communications. If your business or association has an important public policy objective, it almost certainly has a communications component.

The Exoro Group is a public affairs firm specializing in public policy communications and grassroots advocacy. We help clients achieve their objectives in public policy by reaching the right audiences with the right messages through the right delivery channels. These channels include traditional media, direct mail, and also e-newsletters, blogs and Web sites. We combine communications expertise with public policy and political experience. Our seasoned professionals manage major public relations, ballot initiative and legislative support campaigns.

Exoro Group consultants have many years of experience in journalism, public relations, campaign management, opinion research, persuasive writing, grassroots organizing, coalition-building, speech writing, electronic publishing and events management. We have extensive relationships at all levels and in all branches of Utah state and local governments. Call LaVarr Webb or Maura Carabello for more information, 801.537.0900.

 

News Highlights

Republican Party Chairwoman Enid Greene will select replacement for retiring state Rep. Jeff Alexander (Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune).

A public information meeting scheduled for next week about the proposed Divine Strake bomb test may be a "dog and pony show" (St George Spectrum).

Quote of the Day

"You don't realize your rules are inadequate until you have an unusual situation arise," (Enid) Greene said. "I'm willing to bet the bylaws of all 29 counties have the same problem."

- Republican Party Chairwoman Enid Greene on the difficulty of selecting a replacement for retiring state Rep. Jeff Alexander (Salt Lake Tribune).

 
Thursday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

TNC Working With Farmers

Nice article in the New York Times about The Nature Conservancy collaborating with farmers in the Northwest to protect land critical to wildlife. Similar efforts are going forward in Utah.

The Nature Conservancy is also working with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the Utah Department of Agriculture & Food, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality on a 2007 legislative initiative called the Land & Water Reinvestment Act. If passed, it will fund watershed and rangeland restoration, plus other land and water projects crucial for wildlife habitat, cattle grazing, and preservation of working farms.

Groups like Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the Utah Farm Bureau, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Utah Association of Counties, and many other organizations are supporting the legislation, which will be sponsored by Rep. David Clark of Santa Clara.

United Way to Highlight Its Legislative Priorities at Press Conference Today
United Ways of Utah will hold a press conference today at 2:00 p.m. in the West Capitol Building, Main Floor Lobby to highlight its legislative priorities for policy makers and the community. The press conference also gives United Way the opportunity to showcase its unique role as a broad community voice that involves business leaders, community leaders and social service leaders.

United Way of Salt Lake has posted its latest "Making an Impact" newsletter, which says Utah is suffering from an affordable housing crisis. For thousands of moderate to low-income people affordable housing is getting harder and harder to find. Read the newsletter here to learn more about this growing problem.

Today in History
Jan. 4, 1995: The 104th Congress, the first entirely under Republican control since the Eisenhower era, convenes; Newt Gingrich is elected House Speaker. (Source: National Journal 2007 calendar of American politics)

Wise Words
"In free governments the rulers are the servants, and the people are their superiors... For the former therefore to return among the latter was not to degrade but to promote them."
-- Benjamin Franklin (Source: Eigen's Political Quotes)

Blog Watch
At The Senate Site, Greg Bell talks about how a legislator can effectively represent constituents' interests. Dynamic Range talks about political openness and free speech. Dee's Dotes invites grandmothers to march on Washington to stop the war and end the occupation of Iraq: "We want each of the 100 Senators to be visited by grandmothers from the state that the Senators represent. We will present our demands to each Senator -- in person."

 

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

 

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Thursday
January 4, 2007

Mitt Romney Watch
NY Times Article: ``I have a feeling we are going to be pretty busy,'' Romney told reporters outside his office in Massachusetts. ``We have filed exploratory papers today. So the process is moving forward on that front.''

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News
- House seat up in air
- FBI drops its quest for papers of reporter
- Demolition approaching for Salt Lake malls
- '07 Legislature to wrestle few 'moral bills'
- Utah so-so in 'success'
- Utah aims to cut domestic violence
- Romney closing in on presidential run
- Lawmakers to weigh school-district splits
- Residents speak; Bluffdale mayor back on job
- Measures Demos plan to introduce in first 100 hours
- Layton teen is given apology for game porn

Salt Lake Tribune
- Delegates gather to select replacement for Rep. Jeff Alexander
- 2 tied for Provo's GOP replacement
- RSL funds far from a done deal
- Ex-Huntsman staffer may battle Cannon
- S.L. County scores average for security
- Candidates for vacant Orem seat make their cases to City Council
- After sad '05 high, domestic violence kills fewer in Utah
- State students get a good start for long-term success
- Romney launches exploratory committee

Daily Herald
- Colleges seek partial ban of guns on campus
- Boy gets apology, new games
- Eagle Mtn. moves forward 'methodically'

ST George Spectrum
- Meeting called 'a dog and pony show'
- Opinion: Unless tide turns, Utah will remain pro-illegal immigrant
Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Jan 4: Gov. Huntsman to attend the Wasatch Economic Development Forum, 9 a.m., University Marriott Hotel, Salt Lake City.
- Jan 4: Open House Media Event for JP Hughes,MD as he announces his candidacy for SLC Mayor 2008, begins at 11 a.m. with the announcement at noon, Hughes residence, 137 N. West Temple, Salt Lake City.
- Jan 4: Professional Republican Women (PRW) luncheon meeting, Panache Private Club, 2nd Floor, Wells Fargo Building, 299 S. Main. Featured guest speaker will be Dr. Quin Monson, Assistant Professor, Political Science, BYU. Socializing begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at 12 noon; $20 for members, $25 for guests. RSVP to Melanie Rogers at 801- 891-6926 or e-mail melmrogers@yahoo.com.
- Jan 4: Davis County Democrats Planning Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., Commissioner's Chambers, Davis Courthouse, Farmington.
- Jan 4: Governor's Science & Technology Medal Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m., Utah Natural History Museum.
- Jan 5: Medicaid Interim Committee, 8:30 a.m., room W135.
- Jan 5: Gov. Huntsman to give welcoming Remarks at Utah Emergency Management Association, 9 a.m., South Towne Exposition Center.
- Jan 5: Senate Rules Committee, 3 p.m., room W110.
- 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: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See legislative calendar for details.
- 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 12: American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Legislative Preview, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Auditorium of the State Office Building. Speakers include Sen. Curtis Bramble, Sen. Pat Jones, Rep. Ralph Becker and Rep. Ron Bigelow. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $12.00 for ASPA members, students, Utah Nonprofits Association members; $15.00 for nonmembers. Reservations required, call 801-581-6493 or email jrandall@cppa.utah.edu.

- See the entire calendar