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Washington Watch
Hatch, Bennett: Security Threatened
In speeches on the Senate floor, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett warn of threats to national security if a provision in the Improving America's Security Act of 2007 allowing for collective bargaining in the Transportation Security Administration remains in the bill (see Hatch press release and Bennett's Senate website).
Hatch, Cannon Reject H.R. 800
Sen. Hatch criticizes the House for passing H.R. 800, "which would take away the right to a private ballot in union organizing elections." Says Hatch: "This bill is a disgrace, and we're going to fight it in the Senate" (see press release); Rep. Chris Cannon says of the same bill: "[F]ew things could be more repugnant than this legislative wolf in sheep's clothing. How many sponsors of this 'freedom fiasco' would consent to their elections being determined by anything other than a secret ballot? Removing a right as sacred as a secret ballot only allows organized labor to gain control over American workers."
Schweitzer Declines Cannon's Invitation
At a House committee hearing, Rep. Cannon invites oil and gas development-friendly Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer to become a Republican, to which Schweitzer replies: "I understand the Republicans have older whiskey and faster horses, but other than that, I think I'll just stay with the Democrats" (Casper Star-Tribune and New West).
SEED Dixie Boosts St. George
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUTAH) has posted its latest Economic Review newsletter online. This week's issue highlights "SEED Dixie," a strategy being developed to help diversify the economy in Utah’s Dixie and make the region more entrepreneurially friendly. "While the heavier than normal demographic of citizens age 65 or older has had a stabilizing effect on the Dixie economy, this Mecca for retirees and snow-birds is not a single-purpose community and economic diversification is imperative," the newsletter says.
Network For Business Success
This week's Zions Bank Business Resource newsletter features "Utah First Fridays," a monthly networking event for small businesses hosted at the Miller Business Resource Center on the campus of Salt Lake Community College. Utah First Fridays create excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn from each other and position their businesses within the community with minimal expense. The March event is being held today from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Miller Business Resource Center, 9750 South 300 West. The networking event includes a continental breakfast and costs only $5 to attend. For more information about Utah First Fridays call 801-957-5284 or email rsvp@utahfirstfridays.org."
National Politics
War Hero
In her Wall Street Journal column, Peggy Noonan writes about the life of John McCain and wonders if his great resume will carry him to the White House.
Today in Political History
March 2 1867: The first U.S. Department of Education was established. Henry Bayard, a leader in educational reform, was the first commissioner under the act.
March 2 1925: In Carroll v. United States 267 U.S. 132 the Supreme Court allows searches of automobiles without a search warrant under some circumstances (Source: perspicuity.net)
March 3, 1931: “The Star-Spangled Banner” officially becomes the national anthem of the United States (Source: National Journal 2007 Calendar of American Politics)
Wise Words
“The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser -- in case you thought optimism was dead.”
-- Robert Brault (Source: quotegarden.com)
Rocky: Impeach President
The SLC Mayor's Office http://www.slcgov.com/mayor/ has posted several items related to Rocky Anderson's participation at a hearing in Washington state yesterday calling for the impeachment of Pres. Bush, including a press release, the mayor’s verbal and written hearing statements, and a short and extended transcript of his remarks at a rally before the hearing.
Groups React to Legislature
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance celebrates the demise of HB 425, while the Sutherland Institute hails the passage of HB 228, 3SHB 86, HB 343, and SB 56.
Political Quiz
How many bills did the Utah legislature pass this session?
- 540
- 357
- 422
- 401
Answer: 422 (Source: Legislative web site)
Blog Watch
At Out of Context, Matt Canham reports: "House Democrats had no problem throwing a few jabs at some freshmen Republicans during their last caucus meeting of the [legislative] session. Lamenting the absence of The Trib's famed 'LaVar' awards (my bad, I kind of spaced the goofy awards this year), they came up with their own. Salt Lake City Rep. Jackie Biskupski labeled Provo Rep. Chris Herrod the 'superfreak.' Holladay Rep. Carol Spackman Moss considered Sandy Rep. Sylvia Anderson the Legislature's biggest 'bloviator,' an award that should probably be retired in honor of former Rep. LaVar Christensen, whom Anderson replaced. And they even suggested renaming the entire awards for Herriman's new representative Carl Wimmer. Not surprisingly, none of the light-hearted jabs were aimed at Republicans with real power" (for more on the just-adjourned Legislature, see The Senate Site, UAC Blog, Paul Rolly, Reach Upward, and Anderson Development Blog).... Holly Mullen, in a post on Sen. John McCain's arrival in Utah yesterday for a fundraising visit, notes: "Broadcast media chatter this morning fell to speculation -- again -- over why [Gov. Huntsman and his father] have split their allegiances between [Mitt] Romney and McCain, respectively. ... [A] source very close to the Romney campaign told me what might be the most fascinating explanation yet for Jon Jr.'s decision to forgo Mitt for John: Bad telephone etiquette. This source said that early in his exploratory campaign, Romney (or at the very least, a designated hitter) failed to return several of Jon Jr.'s phone calls from Utah. Some e-mails were ignored, as well. ... Romney's people, the source told me, either didn't know the weight of the Huntsman name and reputation or simply didn't care. At any rate, the phone calls weren't returned and Junior got more than a bit torqued. ... The lesson here: Listen to those voice mails and return them promptly!" (see also Out of Context).
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
-- Fresh snow brings skiers to Utah resorts in the Morning News
-- Washington County offers warmer recreation alternatives for boating enthusiasts in the Tribune
-- Morning News takes readers on winter adventures around Bryce Canyon National Park
-- Enjoy the view up Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Tribune’s Snowshoe Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Wild Hogs: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Zodiac: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Black Snake Moan: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- “Little Red Riding Hood,” Shawna Gottfredson's Voice Studio, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, U., free
-- Utah Valley State College Chamber Choir, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Ballet Ensemble, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., also Saturday, 2 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, U.
-- “Coppelia,” BYU Theatre Ballet, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $10 (801-422-7664)
-- “Cosi Fan Tutte,” Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Val A. Browning Center, WSU, Ogden, $8.50 (800-978-8457)
-- Utah Symphony, Brahm’s Fourth, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- James Margetts, piano, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, free
-- Murray Concert Band, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Murray High School, 5440 S. State, free
-- U. Choirs, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, U.
-- U. Flute Choir, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- U. Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, U.
Theater
-- “Into the Woods” through March 3, Draper Historic Theatre
-- “Othello” through March 3, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” through March 4, Performing Arts Building, University of Utah
-- “A Doorway ...” through March 9, Fort Douglas Post Theatre
-- “Arsenic and Old Lace” through March 10, Art City Playhouse
-- “The Comedy of Errors” through March 10, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Hello, Dolly” through March 10, Center Street Musical
Theatre
-- “The Hobbit” through March 10, Academy Theatre Company
-- “Pirates of Penzance” through March 10, Empress Theatre
-- “The Who's Tommy” through March 10, Egyptian Theatre
-- “Pot Pie the Sailor Man” through March 17, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Butch Cassidy & the Sunburnt Kid” through March 24, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” through March 24, StageRight TheaterCompany
-- “Little Women, the Musical” through April 7, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Lucky Stiff” through April 14, Hale Center Theater Orem
Museum Exhibits
-- Modern Utah Exhibition through March 10, New Narrative: Warhol, Stella, Marden, Fitzpatrick through March 17, Ascension Exhibition through March 17, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Nathan Thomas Jones: Scattered Shadows and Collected Light Exhibition through March 11, Lesleigh: Paris — City of Light Exhibition through March 11, Kimball Art Center, Park City
-- The Quiet Landscapes of William B. Post Exhibition through May 28, Museum of Art, Brigham Young University
Et Cetera
-- “No Strings Attached” Puppetry Festival, Saturday and Sunday, The City Library
-- Moab Skinny Tire Festival, through March 5
-- Snowshoe with a Naturalist, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Saturdays and Sundays through March 25, free, reservations required
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