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Regional Politics
Water Crisis Looming?
New York Times article on the West's water problems notes that "the seven states that draw water from the Colorado River -- Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico in the upper basin and California, Arizona, and Nevada in the lower basin -- and the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the river, are considering plans that lay out what to do if the river cannot meet the demand for water, a prospect that some experts predict will occur in about five years. 'What you are hearing about global warming, explosive growth -- combine with a real push to set aside extra water for environmental purpose -- means you got a perfect situation for a major tug-of-war contest,' said Sid Wilson, the general manager of the Central Arizona Project, which brings Colorado River water to the Phoenix area." (See also related Arizona Daily Star and The Nation stories).
Taxpayers Assoc. Newsletter
The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its April newsletter. This month's edition looks at the impact of recent tax changes on Utah families and features a column by Association President Howard Stephenson on why it's "time to fix Utah's punitive corporate income tax."
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Guardian: Columnist and former New York Times editor Howell Raines says the current crop of presidential candidates "represent a re-appearance on the US campaign scene of an endangered breed -- elected officials who have used their time in office to become expert in some aspect of domestic government or foreign relations. ... Encouragingly, there are prospective political candidates in both parties who, whatever their individual flaws, have used their careers to acquire a body of knowledge about governance."
-- Slate: John Edwards is working to distinguish himself as the "the anti-Obama," filling his stump speeches with detailed policy proposals instead of the "anecdotes and set-piece jokes" Barack Obama is becoming known for.
-- The Politico: Sen. John McCain's top advisors say they're overhauling the campaign amid concerns about poor fundraising. "'This is clearly a moment in the campaign that says, "Hello? Wake up!"' finance chairman Tom Loeffler said in a telephone interview. 'It's not a time to jog anymore. It's a time to sprint in the fundraising efforts. We have learned the political fundraising realities of 2007, and we are making the proper adjustments'" (see also related New York Times story).
-- New York Observer: Columnist Rebecca Sinderbrand analyzes "the mysterious appeal of Fred Thompson."
Europe Economic Challenges
In his Tea Leaf economic update this week, Utah economist Jeff Thredgold writes about “Europtimism” – a fantasyland millions of Europeans find themselves in. They want to “keep things the way they were,” even as the fundamentals of the European style of government continue to crumble. “Europe simply cannot have things the way they were.” A realization is “building across European political and business circles that in order to be competitive . . . European countries must have greater flexibility in terms of hiring/firing practices, more open competition, and wider use of production incentives for workers. Lower tax rates and less government are also viewed as necessary.”
Today in Political History
April 5, 1792: President George Washington casts the first presidential veto, rejecting a congressional measure for apportioning representatives among the states. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed -- else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower (Source: Freedom Quotes)
Utah Political Trivia
Questions:
- What was the size of the tax cut approved in the last legislative session?
- How much will it save the average family in Utah?
- What percentage does the single rate income tax system become?
Answers:
- $220 million
- $300
- 5 percent
(Source: Tribune)
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sens. John Valentine and Curt Bramble relate their impressions of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who participated in a dinner reception Tuesday night with various Utah luminaries at the home of U. President Michael Young.
-- Paul Rolly reports: "Between Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and religious intervention, the Utah State Legislature could have a significant make-over before its next general session in 2008, without even having an election. Shortly after the 2007 session ended, Huntsman named Rep. Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, as director of the State Division of Facilities Construction and Management, meaning Buxton will be leaving the Legislature and will have to be replaced. Also, Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, is one of the finalists for an opening on the 4th District Court bench. If Huntsman selects her, she too will have to leave the Legislature. The third possible change is out of the governor's hands. Rep. Richard Wheeler, R-Ephraim, was called by LDS Church leaders over the weekend as an Area Authority 70, which is a part-time appointment but carries significant responsibility. Wheeler, who also is a vice president of Snow College, says he hasn't made a final decision, but he probably will leave the Legislature before the next session convenes. For sure, he said, he will resign before the next election, in November of 2008. Legislative observers say all three are considered moderates in the conservative-leaning House of Representatives."
Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman: “Top Features Of The One Million Dollar Laptop”: Goes perfectly with your $600,000 desk chair; If you hit Control-F5, a kid shows up at your door with a meatball sub; Mouse is an actual mouse. What? That doesn’t make sense; Documentation that explains what the “Scroll lock” key actually does; High-definition lickable screen that tastes like bacon; Instead of “You got mail,” computer says “You got screwed.”
Jay Leno: We’re now finding out where all the [presidential] candidates met their spouses. Barack Obama met his wife at a law firm. John McCain met his wife at a naval officers’ dance. And Rudy Giuliani met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife. ... Hillary Clinton said today that public appearances with her and Bill would be rare. The only thing more rare? Private appearances with her and Bill. ... Iran has seized 15 British sailors, claiming they were in Iranian waters. Britain denied their sailors entered Iranian territory. Iran responded by denying the Holocaust. ... The UN Security Council expressed “concern” over Iran capturing those 15 British soldiers. Concern. With the UN involved this could escalate from “concern” to “severely frowned upon.” ... In USA Today there was an interesting article about a group of Native Americans at an Indian reservation in Minnesota who are trying to save the language of Dakota, which is on the verge of extinction. You know, it’s the same thing we’re trying to do in Los Angeles with English. (Source: Patriot Post) |
