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Nice Session, Everyone
Welcome to March and a Legislature-free Utah. All good lawmakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and legislative news reporters should be home sleeping right now after working into the wee hours. Congratulations to all on a smooth and historic legislative session that made just about everyone happy.
Publisher’s Note
Housekeeping: Yesterday Utah Policy Daily had a slight goof-up in production and the News Highlights and Quote of the Day were left out. We apologize for that. Also, the link to the full in-depth profile on House Speaker Greg Curtis didn’t always work. Click here for the entire Curtis profile. We want to continue to publish profiles about interesting people in the broad political community. If you have suggestions on people you’d like to see profiled, e-mail me at lwebb@exoro.com.
Tea Leaf
China and India Economies
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week provides an overview of the economic status of China and India. Thredgold writes: “I am asked frequently if the Chinese Communist leadership could stop the powerful entrepreneurial growth underway in recent years. My answer is to picture a powerful thoroughbred flying down the race track. Picture a tiny jockey holding onto the reins for dear life near the tail. The horse is the free enterprise explosion underway in China. As you might assume, the jockey is the Communist leadership.”
USTAR Update
The Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) economic development initiative will participate in a periodic KCPW radio show highlighting Utah’s science and technology communities, according to Ted McAleer, executive director of the USTAR governing authority. The first show, tomorrow (Friday, March 2) at 10:30 a.m., will feature Dr. Chris Johnson, director of the University of Utah's Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute and a team leader for the Imaging Technology Focus Area. Johnson will talk about some of the advances in medical and diagnostic imaging and discuss the hiring of Dr. Guido Gerig, who will join USTAR in July 2007. KCPW Public Radio is found at 88.3 105.3 FM / 1010 AM or www.kcpw.org. For more background about USTAR, see the USTAR web site).
CPPA Newsletter
The University of Utah's Center for Public Policy & Administration has posted its latest Policy Perspectives newsletter. This edition features an update on the Western Presidential Primary and articles on Utah's economy, in-state tuition for undocumented students, and the economic benefits of universal preschool.
Hinckley Legislative Wrap-Up
The U.'s Hinckley Institute of Politics is hosting a legislative wrap-up today at noon in the Hinckley Caucus Room (OSH 255). Sens. John Valentine and Pat Jones and Reps. Greg Curtis and Ralph Becker will participate. Dan Jones will moderate.
Washington Watch
Hatch’s Subcommittees
Sen. Orrin Hatch is "selected as the top Republican on the Health Care Subcommittee. He will also serve on the Taxation and newly formed Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittees" (see press release).
Land Exchange Bill
Reps. Jim Matheson and Chris Cannon introduce "a bipartisan bill proposing a land exchange between the Utah school trust land administration and the Bureau of Land Management. Sen. Bob Bennett has introduced the companion Senate bill" (see Matheson press release) (no link to Cannon release available).
Cannon Warns Democrats
Article: "Republicans warn that Democrats could lose their momentum in the West if they don't heed rural, Western concerns about the difficulties imposed by environmental restrictions. 'If there's sensitivity to that, they may do well,' said Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), chairman of the House Western Caucus. 'If they start locking up Western land, most of the West will be upset'" (The Hill);
Cannon Education Committee
Rep. Cannon announces "the organization of an Education Advisory Committee that will provide recommendations regarding the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Former State Representative Matt Throckmorton will be the Committee Chair."
Committee members include Shauna Brown, Executive Director, Project Read; Kim Campbell, President, Utah Education Association; Forrest Cuch, Executive Director, Utah Division of Indian Affairs; Brent Degraff, History Teacher/Founder, Liahona Academy; Graham Doxey, President, Neumont University; Lincoln Fillmore, Development Director, Parents for Choice in Education; Lynne Herring, Director, Freedom Academy; Catherine Kamphaus, Superintendent of Schools, Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City; Christine Kearl, Deputy for Education, Office of Governor Huntsman; Glen Kimber, PhD. President, Kimber Academy; Kirk Wright, Superintendent, Juab School District; Sandra Manwill, Generalist, Human Resources, Stampin' Up!; Brett Moulding, Curriculum Director, Utah State Office of Education; Bonnie Palmer, former Nebo School Board Member; Margaret Pratt, English Teacher, Bingham High School; Andrea Rorrer, PhD. Director, University of Utah Education Policy Center; and Ronda Rose, Legislative Vice President, PTA. For additional details on the Committee’s mission statement and guiding principles visit its web site.
Bennett Reps to Visit Nephi
Representatives from Sen. Bennett's office will be at the Juab County Courthouse in Nephi on March 6 "to help individuals with federal agency questions or problems" (see press release).
Regional Politics
Colorado River EIS Released
The Interior Department releases "for public review and comment a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on proposed interim guidelines for managing the Colorado River Storage System, particularly under drought and low reservoir conditions" (see press release).
National Politics
McCain Struggling?
In a Townhall.com column, Dick Morris and Eileen McGann claim John McCain’s presidential campaign is fizzling before it really gets started.
Today in Political History
March 1, 1781: The Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation (Source: NBC5.com).
March 1, 1954: Three Puerto Rican nationalists open fire on the House of Representatives from the visitors’ gallery, wounding five members (Source: National Journal 2007 Calendar of American Politics).
Wise Words
"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."
-- Abraham Lincoln (The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume III, "Letter To Henry L. Pierce and Others" [April 6, 1859], p. 376)
Political Trivia
Q: How many states outlaw all forms of gambling?
A: Two, Utah and Hawaii
Q: In what year did Utah grant full voting rights to women?
A: In 1870, 26 years before becoming a state.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Blog Watch
At The Senate Site, Sen. Curt Bramble says: "I would characterize the 2007 Session as rewarding, intense and productive. I appreciate the team effort between Senators, the House of Representatives, and the Governor's Office that made this session historic. Respect and close communication work. We started the session by establishing six major priorities (and several less public areas of focus) and we worked toward those goals all session. We met or surpassed each one and I believe that was a great service to the state. ... To my colleagues in both chambers, let me echo President Valentine's words: Thank you. Utahns will benefit from your work here for generations to come. I salute each and every one of you for a job well done" (for more on the Legislature, see Utah Democratic Caucus, Utah Taxpayer, Under The Dome, Out of Context, UAC Blog, Lincoln's Legislative Blog, Part of the Plan, Anderson Development Blog, and Red Pills).... Bob Aagard says of SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson's participation in a rally today in Washington state calling for the impeachment of Pres. Bush: "While I respect having the Rocky Andersons of the world in the [Democratic Party], our public face needs to be more Peter Corroon. Rocky was elected by the people of Salt Lake to do good for them here in Salt Lake City. If Rocky wants to stand on the national stage, fine. However, that is not the role of a mayor" (see also The Utah Amicus and UtahOpinions).... At Out of Context, Thomas Burr reports: "Sen. Bob Bennett played a critical role Wednesday in a staged phone call using a new device from Utah-based Sorenson Communications that allows hearing impaired people to make phone calls via a video device. Marlee Matlin, an Oscar-winning actress who played a deaf White House adviser on the 'West Wing' series, called Bennett via the system and they conversed about this and that for a few minutes. In one exchange, Bennett asked Matlin how the real West Wing compares to the Hollywood version. 'The Hollywood version of the West Wing has better actors,' Matlin joked. Replied Bennett about the Hollywood version: 'The difference is the problem's always solved in an hour'".... At Utah State Democratic Party, Wayne Holland says of the controversy surrounding Mitt Romney's Mormonism: "The later part of the 20th century saw the religious right turn the personal beliefs of individual candidates into a matter for public debate. On the other hand, too often Mormons seeking office as Democrats privately express the pain that their faith is questioned by some voters simply because they are Democrats where the test of a candidate's faith has not been a deciding factor for nomination. When was the last time you read an article about the left having a fit about Harry Reid's Mormonism or Congressman Keith Ellison's Islamic faith? The time has come for Utah's Republicans to stand up to those within their party who have made questions of personal faith a matter worthy of public debate. Either the religious right is right and specific beliefs are necessary to qualify a person for public office, or the religious right is wrong and they are not. Mitt Romney's supporters can't have it both ways."
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman: “Top Surprises in Barack Obama’s 60 Minutes Interview”: Interview took place in a car as Obama stalked a hunky astronaut; Kept calling Steve Kroft “Doctor”; Criticized Bush for not doing anything to prevent “Norbit”; Announced plans for a lavish Broadway musical “Obama Mia!”; Vowed to reduce Al Gore’s pants size by 2012; Andy Rooney wandered in to complain that there aren’t enough candidates named Chet; Confessed to switching to Geico after seeing those charming caveman commercials; He’s voting for Hillary.
Jay Leno: The state of Virginia’s General Assembly has passed a resolution apologizing for slavery. Not a moment too soon. It’s good to nip these things in the bud before any hard feelings develop. ... Speaking of that, according to a new report by genealogists, Al Sharpton’s ancestors were slaves once owned by Strom Thurmond’s relatives. And now Al Sharpton wants a DNA test to see if they are related. And somehow you know this is going to end up that Strom is the father of Anna Nicole’s baby. You know that’s going to happen. ... Did you all watch the Oscars [Sunday] night? I tried to TiVo the show, but my TiVo only holds 30 hours of programs. ... It was so long that parts of Peter O’Toole were starting to fall off. ... Bank of America will be giving out credit cards to illegals. See, this way they won’t need cash. You can buy forged papers and phony drivers licenses on credit. ... Democratic presidential candidate Tom Vilsack announced he has dropped out of the race. The reason cited? He’s Tom Vilsack. Now the hard part—telling his supporter. ... Hillary Clinton is being pressed on why she hasn’t apologized for voting in favor of the war in Iraq. In reply to this, Hillary actually told voters who are upset about this, “You have other choices.” Something, of course, Bill already knows. ... It looks like Hollywood is starting to turn on Hillary Clinton. Hollywood mogul David Geffen—he’s given huge amounts to the Clintons—[said] that Hillary Clinton is too scripted, that Bill Clinton is reckless, and both of the Clintons lie so easily it’s troubling. Bad scripts, reckless behavior, and lying—thank God that kind of thing can never happen here in Hollywood! ... Hillary Clinton’s campaign wants Barack Obama to publicly renounce Geffen’s statement attacking the Clintons. Geffen said, ‘I know everyone in politics has to lie, but the Clintons do it with such ease, it’s troubling.’ I think that’s an unfair statement. Just because you’re really good at something doesn’t mean it’s easy. |
