|
Leaders Discuss Legislative Priorities
This week's EDCUTAH newsletter, the Economic Review provides an interesting overview of the legislative priorities for the Utah House and Senate. House Speaker Greg Curtis told EDCUTAH that the House Republican Caucus has two main priorities: (1) cutting taxes ($300M) and (2) significant funding for public education ($300M). Senate President John Valentine, on the other hand, said the Senate Republican Caucus will be meeting this Saturday morning to further debate and discuss the size of any tax cut, education funding, how much to bond or not bond, and how much ongoing and additional money to put into roads—“Those are the kinds of details we are still trying to determine.”
Washington Watch
Cannon Opposes Student Loan, Energy Bills
Rep. Chris Cannon says of his opposition to a bill that would temporarily cut student loan rates: "Recent statistics show that the 3rd District of Utah has more kids than any other congressional district in the U.S. I am committed to making college as affordable and accessible as possible, but the Democrat's bill will do neither. ... We need to be working to control the real costs of higher education and removing barriers to entry into college, not making largely symbolic interest rate adjustments that only come into play after a student has graduated" (see press release); Cannon says of his opposition to H.R. 6, the Democratic energy plan: "The Democrat's first attempt at an energy policy is a disaster. Instead of encouraging U.S. production to break our addiction to foreign oil, this bill will increase volatility in oil markets and make us even more dependant on Hugo Chavez and other unstable regimes by limiting our energy production and increasing the cost of energy for all Americans" (press release).
Hatch: Korea May Lift Ban
Sen. Orrin Hatch meets "with South Korean Ambassador to the United States Lee Tae-sik, urging Korea to reopen its borders to American beef after one incident of 'mad cow disease' prompted a ban four years ago. Hatch believes the two nations have now crafted a compromise to resolve the issue quickly" (see press release).
National Politics
Speechwriters Working Overtime
President Bush delivers his State of the Union speech next Wednesday evening. In her Wall Street Journal column, Peggy Noonan, who wrote speeches for Ronald Reagan, offers insights into the speech-writing process and shares what she thinks the president ought to say.
Leadership Tip
"Outstanding leaders go out of the way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." --Sam Walton (Source: Famous Quote site)
Political Trivia
· Number in U.S. House and Senate whose parents served in Congress: 29
· Number of former U.S. House members in the Senate: 49
(Source: National Journal 2007 Calendar of American Politics)
New Taxpayers Assoc. Report
In its January 2007 State Spending Report, the Utah Taxpayers Association notes: "The Utah Legislature has increased state spending at a faster rate during the Huntsman administration than it did during the administrations of Governor Leavitt and Governor Walker ... State spending consisting of education and school funds as well earmarked general funds has been increasing at an annualized rate of 14.6% during the Huntsman administration compared to 11.2% for Walker and 5.6% for Leavitt."
Podcast Watch
Utah Dialogue's Ben McAdams and Charlie Luke interview Senate President John Valentine on his expectations for the 2007 Legislature.
Blog Watch
At Out of Context, Matt Canham says a running gag meant to poke fun at House Speaker Greg Curtis turned slightly uncomfortable Thursday….. The Political Spyglass says the stars are in alignment in the Legislature for vouchers in 2007 (for more posts on the Legislature, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).... Open2Debate says: "Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee [yesterday]. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) Utah began the session by praising the DOJ for its diligence in fighting terrorism and then spent his remaining 6 minutes demanding that they crack down on pornography. It is unclear why Sen. Hatch finds pornography such a threat that it requires more of our national resources" (see also here and here).... Jeff Bell says: "Republicans lost their Congressional majorities, in part, because the American people were fed up with the 'Culture of Corruption' in then Republican dominated Washington DC. The surviving Republicans in the Senate, however, are not getting the message. Sadly, in both chambers of the Congress, Utah's Republicans aren't getting it either. Senate Republicans are blocking Congress from moving forward on the most significant lobbying and ethics reforms in seen decades." (see also here).... Frank Staheli responds to this John Renteria op-ed about last month's illegal immigration raid in Hyrum.... Organization for Mitt Romney notes: "[Wednesday night] on Hannity and Colmes ... Ann Coulter threw her support to Mitt Romney for President. When asked who she likes for President either McCain, Gulliani or Romney, she responded Romney twice. This appears to be the trend among most 'common sense conservatives'. They are recognizing that Mitt Romney is the only capable and qualified candidate for 1600 Pennsylvania Blvd. Mitt's positive vision is resonating with the Reagan generation" (see also here, here, here, and here).
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
-- The cisco spawning run is now underway at Bear Lake and the lake is frozen. For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website.
-- Logan hatchery spawns disease-resistant trout in the Morning News
-- Tribune explores Bryce Canyon’s winter solitude
-- Morning News takes readers skiing in the Uintas
-- Visit Alexander Spring in the Tribune’s Snowshoe Hike of the Week
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notes and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
New Films
-- Notes on a Scandal: Tribune review
Concerts
-- The Golden Age of Film Music, Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
Theater
-- “Ariadne auf Naxos” through January 21, Utah Opera
-- “The Ladies Man” through January 27, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “See How They Run” through Feb. 10, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “See How They Run” through Feb. 10, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Aida” through February 17, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Man With The Pointed Toes” through Feb. 17, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Nunsense A-Men” through Feb. 24, Desert Star Dinner Theatre
-- “Butch Cassidy & the Sunburnt Kid” through March 24, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- 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
-- Sundance Film Festival, through January 28, Park City
-- Snowshoe with a Naturalist, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Saturdays and Sundays through March 25, free, reservations required |
