News Highlights

Gov. Jon Huntsman is receiving a lot of pressure to veto SB155, the EnergySolutions bill (Tribune).

Huntsman says spending $3.5 million for a presidential primary election next year would result in an even larger economic benefit for Utah (Morning News).

Rep. Chris Cannon tours U.S.-Mexico border, says border security measures are working but more needs to be done (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News).

Cannon backtracks "from comments he made on a local radio show that Trolley Square gunman Sulejman Talovic yelled 'Allah akbar' as he aimed at his victims" (Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"We get a lot of mandates, though. Some of them funded; some of them unfunded."

-- Sen. Howard Stephenson, in an exchange with Sen. Orrin Hatch at the Legislature after Hatch said U.S. senators don’t tell state legislators what to do (Tribune).

Our First President

Happy birthday to the father of our country, George Washington. Here’s what Thomas Jefferson said about him: “His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man.”

John Adams said of Washington: “His Example is now complete, and it will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as our history shall be read.” (Source: Patriot Post)

Wise Words From George Washington

“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American People.” (First Inaugural Address, 30 April 1789)

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness—these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens.” (Farewell Address, 19 September 1796) Source: The Federalist Patriot

Leaders List Economic Priorities

At a recent breakfast event hosted by the Utah Technology Council, Senate President John Valentine and House Speaker Greg Curtis agree that Utah's top economic priorities "revolve around the Engineering Initiative, research and development tax cuts, a mining inputs tax exemption, lowering or capping the top income tax rate and the continuation of the USTAR Economic Development Initiative program" (see press release).

Poking Fun at Economists

Utah economist Jeff Thredgold has a little fun at the expense of his own profession in this week’s Tea Leaf economic update. Sample: Q: How does one become an economist?  A:  It all starts with an invitation on a matchbook cover. This is followed by a couple of night classes learning to say things like, “Interest rates will remain stable, assuming they don’t rise, fall, or God-forbid…move sideways.” Q: Are you involved in community service? A: I’m tinkering with a new kind of copper bracelet that’s a lot cheaper than the new Medicare prescription drug benefit program.

Today in Political History

Feb. 22, 1732: George Washington is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Feb. 22, 1924: Calvin Coolidge delivers the first presidential radio broadcast from the White House. (Source: National Journal 2007 Calendar of American Politics)

UDOT Open House

UDOT is holding an open house to discuss the future of the S.R. 92 corridor today from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the IM Flash Technologies Complex (formerly Micron), 1550 East 3400 North, Lehi (see press release).

Blog Watch

Capital Carnage says: "I have watched this [legislative] session very closely, not the bills or any specific issue, but the Legislators themselves, their individual personalities and their ambitions. Most of my observations have been around the majority leadership teams. Each body has such a diverse set of leaders, (As diverse as a bunch of white, wealthy, middle-aged, Mormon guys can be) and it has been interesting to watch them interact with each other, their respective bodies, the other bodies leadership team. It has also been very entertaining to watching each individual posture themselves for a higher office. Fortunately, the melodrama that is joint leadership meetings hasn't hit 'Days of our Lives' status yet, but I predict total nuclear meltdown by this time next week" (for more on the Legislature, see The Senate Site, which discusses state employee pay increases, Utah Democratic Caucus, Under The Dome, Utah Taxpayer, Reach Upward, SLCSpin, and Red Pills).... Rob Miller accuses Attorney General Mark Shurtleff of slandering Rep. Jim Matheson (see also Utah State Democratic Party and Out of Context).... David Rodeback explains why he feels "a certain blogger's kinship to" Holly Mullen.... At Out of Context, Linda Fantin reports: "Ann Romney gave a friendly shout-out to members of the Utah media during her husband Mitt's whistlestop fundraiser Tuesday in Salt Lake City. 'It just seems odd that someone from the media would bring a smile to my face,' she said. The welcome was short-lived. Thirty minutes later, the presidential candidate himself booted me and Deseret Morning News reporter Lisa Riley Roche from the ballroom after we dared to venture past the double doors. Not much was said. Mrs. Romney thanked a few people by name, notably Sinclair Oil tycoon Earl Holding, whose health is failing. Then she encouraged everyone to 'say "hi" to Mitt' on the way out. My digital recorder was still on. 'How are you? Good to see you,' Romney said, shaking my hand and grinning widely. 'Wait a minute. The media's not allowed in there, are they?' I thought he was joking. He kept smiling and shaking. 'No no. That's a closed event. Linda. That's a closed event. Don? Don?' Don 'the muscle' Stirling grabbed my arm and escorted me out. Lisa was a few minutes behind. She said the man who would be president practically yelled at her. The only explanation for Romney's behavior (even his press secretary didn't see a problem with us listening in) is that we didn't pay for the handshake" (see also Paul Rolly).

Best of Late Night Humor 

David Letterman: “Top Ways George W. Bush is Celebrating President’s Day”: Same as every year—watching Maury then going outside to hunt squirrels; Spent morning hiding eggs on White House lawn; Videotaped himself playing “Stairway to Heaven” on guitar, put it on YouTube; Nothing—Air Force One is stuck on the runway behind a JetBlue plane; Planning his 2008 re-election campaign.

“Top JetBlue Excuses”: 10-hour delay? Hey, that’s actually pretty good for us; It could have been worse... No, wait, it couldn’t; We don’t have an excuse right now, but sit here for ten hours while we come up with one; You gotta admit, after six hours it became a little funny; There was a monster on the wing!!!; Pilots too drunk to fly.

Jay Leno: [Monday was] Presidents’ Day—or for those of you in California, el Presidente Day! ... Al Gore will be speaking at this year’s Democratic Convention—or as we call it, the Oscars. ... When Al Gore presented the “Best Album” award to the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Grammys, Al Gore said because of global warming, the Chili Peppers are now 20 percent hotter than they were 20 years ago. ... In the latest count, there are now 25 politicians running for president—and 15 of them also claim to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby. ... Al-Qa’ida released another video tape from their number-two man. This one had a shocking revelation: “The great Satan will soon taste unspeakable suffering from our hands. Oh, and by the way, I am the father of Anna Nicole’s baby.” ... The number one movie at the box office is “Norbit,” where Eddie Murphy plays a huge fat woman. Or as Bill Clinton calls it, “Dreamgirls.” ... The FAA is very close to raising the retirement age of pilots. That means pretty soon both astronauts and pilots will be wearing diapers. ... Congress is now trying to pass a bill that would require health insurers to cover more costs for the mentally ill. Once again, Congress looking out for themselves. So typical!

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Utah in the National News

The Colorado River basin, comprising 240,000 square miles in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico, is running short of water and severe droughts can be expected in the future, according to a panel of experts organized by the National Research Council. The future presents “a sobering prospect for elected officials and water managers,” said the report, which is available at www.nationalacademies.org. (New York Times).

Mitt Romney Watch
Columnist James Bopp Jr. says of Romney's Mormonism: "Many social conservatives do not share Romney's Mormon faith, but his faith should be viewed by social conservatives as a good sign, not as a matter of concern. The Mormon religion, while having tenets that Christians do not share, is profoundly conservative in its support for life, family, and marriage. Thus, Romney's religion reinforces, rather than conflicts with, his [political] conversion [on social issues]. All people of faith believe that the best public officials are those with God, not man, at the center of their lives" (National Review).

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- 'Oppressive' rules stall school clubs bill

- Romney brings in the green in redrock country

- Rebecca Walsh: Mitt stays mum on the U-word

- Mitt who? Romney loses to Dem contenders in red states

- Sly add to bill would end ban of sodomy

- History hints at vast dry spells to come

- Calls rush in over N-dump

- Sandy postpones vote on payday cash stores

- Draper reviews ethics ordinance

- Cannon tours border, praises progress

- Pay hike: Treasurer, $20K; auditor, 0

- Budget committee approves pay boost for state employees

- Hatch gets an earful from Stephenson

- Gift-giving bill clears committee

- Compromise reached over sewage plant plans

- Provo weighs parking snarls

- Saxton calls for lasting ban on gay bias

- Inflation decreases in Utah

- Industry unveils plan to help customers

- Editorial: Eminent domain: Bill would let RDAs use it, but protect property rights

- Editorial: Mission impossible: Virtual charter school mandates unrealistic

Standard-Examiner

- Op-ed: Education as an investment strategy

- Op-ed: Rules on gifts that are clear enough for a child to understand

- Editorial: Ethical baby steps

KCPW

- Hatch Offers Conflicting Views on Immigration Reform

- State Employees Get Pay Raises

- The Most Powerful Committee on the Hill

- House Reconsiders Gay Clubs Move

- New Ethics Bill Reins in Tangible Gifts, Not Meals or Entertainment

- VFW Voices Are Heard

- Gay Clubs Bill Passes Legislature

- Renewable Energy Could Mean Extra Cash For Utah Farmers

- SL County Keeps Control of Restaurant Taxes

- Misperception Causing Problems In Snake Valley Water Rights Negotiations

- Lawmakers Look Back at New Orleans
- Mormons Against Romney

St. George Spectrum

- Romney in S. Utah to raise funds

- Divine Strake opposed

- Business ideas sought for funding

- Editorial: Utah needs illegal alien study

City Weekly

- Hits & Misses

- The Ocho: Eight preliminary campaign slogans for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential run

- Protest Schmotest: Animal-rights and progressive activists find free speech is an idea Utah is still getting used to

- Toll Tale: Has the Taxpayers Association found common ground with environmentalists?

KSL Editorial Board

- Move Moab Tailings

Daily Herald

- UVSC proposes tuition increase

- Orem residents: Must we move?

- Hatch critical of immigration, No Child

- Senate committee adopts lobbyist disclosure bill

- 3rd Substitute SB 211

Logan Herald Journal

- A word about vitality

- Second recycling phase starts in July

KUER

- Immigrant Tuition Issue Returns to Legislature

Deseret Morning News

- Cannon takes 'Allah' quote back

- Cannon cites border progress

- Huntsman says Utah should fund a primary

- Payday loan industry to alter ways 'voluntarily'

- Homes are becoming 'greener'

- Salt Lake may codify anti-bias rule

- School-clubs bill back up in air

- Small firms may get health-care credits

- Backers in Dixie pay up to see Mitt

- Syracuse Council is seeking audit

- UVSC plans tuition hike next year

- Panel OKs pay package

- Ethics reforms may be subtle, not sweeping

- Snake Valley bill ready for a signature

- House OKs bill rewarding teachers in 'shortage' areas

- Senate to get bill merging applied-tech college with CEU

- House OKs bill addressing flaws in eminent domain laws

- Senate OKs bill to create restaurant-tax review board

- House moves to 'clearly' outlaw illegal gambling

- West Jordan enacts 1% transient room tax

- Push to hike terms for crimes against children advances

- Women's Legislative Council meets March 1

- Editorial: Hands off of UTA

- Editorial: Inexcusable lapses

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Feb 22: Lt. Governor Hebert to address attendees at the 4th Annual Diversified Agriculture Conference, 8:30 a.m., Thanksgiving Point, Lehi.
- Feb 22: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on NPR Utah, KCPW 88.3 FM, features a legislative update with KCPW’s Julie Rose; Wayne McCormack, constitutional law professor at the University of Utah, on a unique conference on human rights, human dignity and international cooperation at the U; and Police Chief Chris Burbank on the Trolley Square shooting investigation. To participate call 801-355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org.
- Feb 22: Governor Huntsman to visit with Woods Cross High School AP Government Class, 10:30 a.m., Governor's Office.
- 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: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: "Jorge Fierro and Rico Mexican Market," 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jorge Fierro started his business selling freshly cooked pinto beans at the Downtown Farmer's Market. Now Rico Brand carries over 125 products distributed throughout Salt Lake and Park City. Doug talks to Jorge Fierro about his commitment to the local economy, and about the delight of well-made food.
- Feb 22: Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Obert C. and Grace A. Tanner Humanities Center welcome speaker Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel, 12 p.m., Kingsbury Hall. For more information, click here.
- Feb 22: KSL's "Let Me Speak to the Governor," 6 p.m., KSL Studios.
- 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 3: Utah Women's Democratic Club Luncheon "Vouchers and Public Education," 11:45 a.m., Olio's Restaurant, Sheraton City Centre, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City. Guest speaker is Elaine Tzourtzouklis, Director of Wasatch Uniserve (Salt Lake, Murray & Tooele Teacher's Associations). $17 at the door. For details and to register, call 801-250-6613, email jccoffey1954@aol.com, or visit www.utdemocrats.org.
- Mar 4: March Forth! Commemorate the effective date of the U.S. Constitution, and screen and discuss the film America: Freedom to Fascism, 1 to 5 p.m., Main Library, Room 4, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City. For more information, visit www.LPUtah.org.
- Mar 5: Dr. Edward P. Lazear, Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors, to speak at the University of Utah, 9:40 to 10:30 a.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium. Dr. Lazear is one of the three most influential economic policy advisors in Washington today, and will speak on "The Transformed U.S. Economy." This event is free and open to the public.  For further information please contact jrandall@cppa.utah.edu.
- 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 16: Democratic Progressive Caucus Annual Bowling Tournament Fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m., Sue Rich Lanes, 1376 East 3300 South. Cost is $35 per individual ($40 at the door), children $5.00 each. A team of five is $150. For more info click here.
- 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.

- See the entire calendar