News Highlights

According to new poll, "a slight majority of Utahns do not support using millions of state dollars to fight the landmark abortion ruling Roe vs. Wade, despite top lawmakers' statements to the contrary" (Deseret Morning News).

The conservative American Legislative Exchange Council develops model legislation, provides access to legislators for corporate leaders, and has a lot of members in the Utah Legislature (Salt Lake Tribune).

Quote of the Day

“We know what you're thinking. Three cheers for the House! It's about time somebody put those money-grubbing public officials and police departments in their place.”

-- Tribune editorial opposing legislation that would prohibit traffic ticket quotas. “As unsavory as ticket quotas seem, it might be the only way for the chief of police to keep the cops out of the donut shop.”

The Week Ahead

Say Happy Birthday to Abraham Lincoln today. The man many historians recognize as America’s greatest president was born Feb. 12, 1809. And don’t forget Valentine’s Day on Wednesday or you’ll be sleeping in the dog house.

The Legislature rolls on, beginning Week 5.  Only 17 days to go, and intensity is picking up with floor time increasing this week. The focus this week will be on the tax cut package. On the budget front, appropriations subcommittees have mostly completed their work and the Executive Appropriations Committee now takes center stage. See weekly schedules for the House and Senate and the legislative calendar for committee schedules and agendas.

See the Utah Policy Daily political calendar for all the week’s political events.

Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln

(Source: Davis County Lincoln Day dinner program)

• “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God’s side.”
• “I am not bound to win but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed but I am bound to live up to what light I have.”
• “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.”

Monday Musing

Winners and Losers in Real Soccer

What is the political fallout of the Real soccer stadium drama? It’s doubtful anyone will be punished by the electorate, barring any sort of quick collapse by the team or Major League Soccer.  By election day 2008, voters will have mostly forgotten what happened. The outcome is something of a draw for the key participants.

I believe that Gov. Jon Huntsman, legislative leaders (particularly Speaker Greg Curtis), and mayors Tom Dolan and Rocky Anderson did what’s best for the state, long-term.  To lose major league soccer over a relatively small amount of money would have been unfortunate. I think most opinion leaders, with the exception of newspaper editorial boards, agree with that.

However, the general public does not. Opinion polls ran against using public money for the stadium land and associated infrastructure. High majorities of calls to the governor’s office and other political offices were against the use of public money.

The immediate political standing of Mayor Peter Corroon, who turned down the soccer stadium, seems to have been enhanced by his actions. Polls showed his approval rating going up as a result of his decision.

But if Real soccer is a smashing success, Corroon is in danger of being viewed by some as the guy who couldn’t get the job done, who almost lost Major League Soccer for the state.     

But those sentiments aren’t likely to impact Corroon’s political career. Long-term, people will forget and it’s not likely any politician will be punished over this deal. Gov. Huntsman had plenty of political capital to spend, and this one issue isn’t going to be more than a blip in his political career.

Seminar on Campaign Ethics

Campaigns & Elections magazine is sponsoring a two-day campaign training seminar focused on campaign ethics March 15-16 in Las Vegas. Topics to be addressed include ethical dilemmas in crisis communications; polling ethics, ethical considerations vs. real world considerations in elections; direct mail standards, GOTV, Internet ethics, negative TV advertising, the role of religion in politics, and others. Cost is $495 for two days or $275 for one day. Contact Tracy Allman Dietz, 703.778.4020, or tdietz@campaignline.com.

Yesterday in Political History

Feb. 11, 1812: Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signs the redistricting bill that gives rise to the term “gerrymander,” a word that would forever after describe an unfair division of districts that enables a political party to remain in power. (Source: National Journal 2007 Calendar of American Politics)

National Politics

2008 Outcome Far From Assured

OpinionJournal.com column by John Fund says pundits and politicians who think the outcome of the 2008 presidential is already settled haven’t learned the lessons of history. …In New York Times op-ed four moderates “propose a balanced package of spending cuts and revenue increases that could eliminate the deficit in five years and set the nation on a sustainable course for the long term.”

Regional Politics

February Primary Pointless?

Editorial: "Given the large number of states rushing to move up their presidential primaries, it doesn't seem to make much sense for Colorado to join the throngs. ... The original idea for Colorado to change its date was to join other Western states interested in a regional primary to give the West greater clout in picking a nominee and engaging the candidates in issues such as public lands that tend not to get much attention in Iowa or New Hampshire. With so many states, as far-flung as Florida and Michigan, moving to February, Colorado doesn't stand to gain any particular recognition, even with New Mexico and Utah in the mix" (Denver Post).

Podcast Watch

Utah Dialogue's Ben McAdams and Charlie Luke interview House Democratic Leader Ralph Becker about the various pieces of ethics legislation he is sponsoring this year and his decision to support funding legislation for Real Salt Lake.

Blog Watch

Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "The Tribune ran my op ed on the passage of vouchers. I greatly appreciate the Trib's willingness to use its space to run a piece that criticizes the role of intermediaries (including the media) in filtering political information in order to achieve certain outcomes. ... [T]he voucher bill passed this year, when it had failed in previous years, because the Internet is allowing citizens to obtain more unfiltered information. Though the UEA never abandoned false arguments regarding the fiscal impact of vouchers, other more responsible intermediaries did -- but only after the arguments were broadly discussed on this site, Politicopia, and many other great sites that took up the issue" (for more on the voucher issue, see Pete Ashdown, The Volokh Conspiracy, Stop The ACLU, Right Wing Watch, and voluntaryXchange) (for more posts on the Legislature, see The Senate Site, Utah Democratic Caucus, Utah Taxpayer, Under The Dome, UAC Blog, Simple Utah Mormon Politics, The Utah Amicus, Red Pills, SouthernUtahBlog, Lincoln's Legislative Blog, and A Liberal Mormon).... Soon-to-be former Utah DNC Communications Director Jeff Bell has a new blog.... At Out of Context, Heather May reports: "Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson soon will have a captive audience for his next diatribe against the Bush administration, the news media, the nation's energy policies. He will be one of the featured speakers on a seminar cruise hosted by the liberal weekly The Nation. The cruise will depart from Seattle and tour Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, from July 28 through Aug. 4. The tour will serve as a fundraiser for The Nation. A subscriber, Anderson was featured on the weekly's cover after his second anti-Bush speech in Salt Lake City last summer. Other scheduled cruise speakers include former presidential candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader and actor Richard Dreyfuss, along with Nation editors and writers".... InstaPunk says of Mitt Romney's Mormonism: "I'll say what no one else will at this point: Mormons are untrustable idiots. Christians are people who believe in the divinity of Christ. They are conspicuously NOT people who believe that Christ magically appeared to an ancient American nation with no archaeological or written record of any kind for the purpose of telling them how to make money by not drinking hot liquids. ... Mitt Romney will never be president. He's a Mormon. Therefore he's a loon, regardless of how blazingly intelligent you have to be to make a half billion dollars in this country. The American people aren't going to buy this particular pig in this particular poke" (hat tip: Dean Barnett) (see also Democracy for Utah).

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Utah in the National News

Columnist Paul Miller: "After years of the Republican Party disappointing conservatives, a sign of hope can be seen coming from the state of Utah. Last week the Utah House approved the first statewide universal school choice plan by a vote of 38-37. Republican Governor Jon Huntsman, who made school choice a focal point in his 2004 campaign, will undoubtedly sign it into law. While the new program is not perfect, it is a good start. ... Utah has opened a door that the GOP has only been willing to talk about entering for decades" (The Conservative Voice) (see also related WORLD Magazine story).

Mitt Romney Watch
National Journal column by Marc Ambinder discusses the controversy surrounding Romney's political evolution from moderate to social conservative.

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Many cops can't afford to live in the cities they patrol

- Corporate group sets new lobbying standard

- Senator's wife called 'amazing institution'

- PTA to visit Legislature on Tuesday

- Off the Agenda

- Enid Greene to take Cannon's spot

- Op-ed: No easy solutions to Utah immigration challenge

- Editorial: Ode to a quota: Legislators should let police do their jobs

- Editorial: This bill is quackers: Don't fiddle with title to Bear River Bird Refuge lands

Standard-Examiner

- Land bidding war

- Editorial: Questions for UDOT

KCPW

- Vouchers Could End Up In Court

- "Gay Clubs" Bill Returned to Controversial Form

- Helping the Innocent Get Back On Their Feet

Daily Herald

- Establishment of Utah Lake Commission in final stages

- Cedar Hills to decide fate of golf course

- Editorial: School vouchers on fast track

Logan Herald Journal

- Man-made or natural?

KUER

- Utah Legislature Approves Soccer Stadium Deal

Deseret Morning News

- Abortion bill opposed

- Backers & Money: Romney, other hopefuls in early fight to stand out in '08 presidential race

- Math program deleted

- 8-story landmark for Orem planned

- Residents quiz lawmakers on legislation

- S. Jordan plans hands-on class on city government

- 2 spots open on S.L. human rights panel

- Invasive phragmites choke Utah wetlands

- W. Jordan opposes Corridor road tolls

- Open House Feb. 22 on plans for S.R. 92

- Study of dam expansion urged

- John Florez: What message is Real deal sending to kids?

- Op-ed: Focus on victims of illegal immigration

- Editorial: Don't dawdle with tailings

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Feb 12: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Feb 12: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "Mitt Romney's 2008 Bid for President," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. According to the essayist Walter Kirn, Romney's Mormonism is ultimately a bigger deal to Latter-day Saints than to other Americans. RadioWest will look at Mitt Romney's candidacy, his political evolution and how he stacks up to the other Republican candidates.
- Feb 13: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Feb 13: Hinckley Forum "Disability Law and the Political Process," 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Virginia Sudbury, Staff Attorney, Disability Law Center.
- Feb 13: Gov. Huntsman to attend the KSL PCMC Radiothon, 4:15 p.m., Primary Children's Medical Center.
- Feb 13: Gov. Huntsman to attend the Reception for World Trade Center Utah, 6:30 p.m., Governor's Mansion.
- Feb 13: Gov. Huntsman to attend the Legislative vs. Executive Branch Basketball Game, 7:30 p.m., University of Utah, Huntsman Center.
- Feb 14: Gov. Huntsman to attend a Highland High School Assembly, 8 a.m., Highland High School
- Feb 14: Hinckley Forum "The EU in the Global Economy," 9:40 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Kyle Galler, General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and Distinguished Scholar at the European Union Center of Excellence, University of Washington.
- Feb 14: Gov. Huntsman to attend the Utah Association of Realtors Convention, 11:45 a.m., Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City.
- Feb 14: Women’s State Legislative Council, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment Comm. presentation meeting, 11:45 a.m., State Office Bldg. Auditorium. Questions & Answers. Delegate  members and visitors invited. For a guest pass contact Kitty Kaplan at 801-942-5133, kittykaplan@msn.com or Suzanne Merrill, 801-787-9372, suzannemerrill@comcast.net.  Visit www.wslcofutah.org for more information.
- Feb 15: Hinckley Forum "U.S. – Ukraine Relations, " 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. Guest is His Excellency Oleh Shamshur, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States.
- Feb 16: Last day for legislators to prioritize bills with fiscal impact and other programs for new or one time funding.
- Feb 16: Utah Technology Council Industry Breakfast with Senate President John Valentine and House Speaker Greg Curtis, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Marriott City Center Hotel, 220 South State Street, Salt Lake City. Cost is $25 for UTC members, and $50 non-UTC members. This is an opportunity to discuss the hottest tech issues on Utah's capitol hill at the height of the legislative session.
- Feb 16: Citizen's Day at the Utah Legislature sponsored by Utah Issues, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To register click here.
- Feb 16: Hinckley Forum "American Grand Strategy After Iraq: The Case for Offshore Balancing," 2 p.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Christopher Layne, Associate Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and holder of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service Faculty Professorship in International Affairs.
- Feb 16: Salt Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner with Honored Guest Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, reception at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., Little America Hotel Grand Ballroom. Special invited guests include Sen. Orrin Hatch, Sen. Bob Bennett, Congressman Chris Cannon, Congressman Rob Bishop, Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., President of the Utah Senate John Valentine. Contact James Evans at 801-949-0955 or Carrie Dickson at 801-699-9089 to reserve your tickets.
- Feb 20: Hinckley Forum "Women and Muslim Law," 12:30 p.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Noraida Endut, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
- Feb 20: Mitt Romney Fundraiser, VIP reception 5:30 p.m. (contribution: $2,300 per person) and general reception at 6:30 p.m. (contribution: $1,000 per person), Grand America Hotel. Contact Karen Hammond at Karen.hammond@juno.com, 801-201-0859.
- Feb 21: Last day for the Executive Appropriations Committee to finalize budget decisions.
- Feb 21: Hinckley Forum "Korea/International Affairs," 8:35 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Kirk W. Larsen, Korea Foundation Associate Professor of History and International Affairs and Director, Undergraduate Program in International Affairs, The Elliott School of International Affairs.
- Feb 22: Hinckley Forum "U.S. – Slovak Republic Relations," 10:45 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is His Excellency Rastislav Kacer, Slovak Republic Ambassador to to the United States.
- Feb 22: Utah County Democratic Party's First Annual Honors Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Provo Marriott. The banquet will honor Utah County's Democratic candidates from the 2006 election cycle. The cost is $35 per person. RSVP by February 16th to Millicent at 801-489-9059.
- Feb 22: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Grecian Garden, 4816 South State Street, Murray,
- Feb 23: Last day to pass any bill with a fiscal note of $10,000 or more.
- Feb 23: Hinckley Forum "The West & The White House: A Changing Political Landscape for 2008," 11:00 a.m., Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, University of Utah. Guest is Martin Kasindorf, Reporter for USA TODAY reporting on national affairs, politics and legal affairs and former Newsday Los Angeles bureau chief Co-sponsored by ASUU.
- Feb 28: Last day of Legislative session
- Mar 10-11: Beyond Ballots or Bullets Workshop, Hampton Inn, 1511 South 40 East, Provo. For more information about this two-day workshop to develop freedom strategies contact info@freeamerica.ws, or to register visit www.freeamerica.ws/.
- Mar 20: Last day governor may sign or veto bills
- Mar 22: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Grecian Garden, 4816 South State Street, Murray.
- Apr 13: Washington County Democratic Party Annual Jefferson/Jackson Dinner, Reception at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and entertainment at 7:00 pm, Dixie Convention Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George. Keynote Speaker: State Senator Pat Jones. Tickets 35.00 each. Contact Cyril Noble 435-229-1281 or cyrnob@beyondbb.com.
- Apr 14: Washington County Democratic Party Convention 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dixie Convention Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George. Nomination and election of County officers. Key Note Speaker: Wayne Holland, Chairman Utah State Democratic Party. Everyone welcome. For information call Cyril Noble 435-229-1281 or cyrnob@beyondbb.com.
- Apr 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Grecian Garden, 4816 South State Street, Murray.
- Apr 29: Last day a veto-override session may begin.
- Apr 30: Normal effective date for bills
- Apr 30: First day to file bills for the 2008 General Session

- See the entire calendar