Utah’s Golden Age

No doubt about it, this is a great time to be living in Utah. In fact, if there is such a thing as a Golden Age, this is it. I honestly don’t think there has ever been a better time, or more opportunity, at least in terms of business and the economy. It's worth pausing for a moment and reflecting on these remarkable times. 

Never has Utah’s economy been so strong. Economist Jeff Thredgold wrote recently that Utah, overall, has simply the best state economy in the country. We had some good years in the late 90s, but that economy was built on a counterfeit dot-com bubble, which burst a short time later. This economy is built on a firm foundation, with a diversified business sector, healthy profits and rising incomes churning out the best state revenues ever, the lowest unemployment rate ever (better than full employment), a booming energy sector and massive construction projects up and down the Wasatch Front and elsewhere.

The amazing state revenue windfall has allowed unprecedented investments in education and transportation infrastructure. Multi-billions of dollars worth of construction projects, including the City Creek project downtown, rail transit and highway projects, and large mixed use projects all over the Wasatch Front, will keep that sector humming for several more years. Even rural Utah, with projects like the Mt. Holly resort in Beaver County, is seeing positive growth.

The good times won’t last forever. Individuals, families and governments should be careful and modest. Surplus money should be invested in one-time projects instead of built into base budgets. Investments should be made in areas that will create further economic growth.

Utah will be affected by what happens in the world and national economies, and the national economy even now shows signs of slowing. So enjoy the best economy in the country while it lasts, but don’t operate like it will last forever.

Washington Watch

Bennett: Expand Stem Cell Funding

Sen. Bob Bennett says he voted to expand federal funding for stem cell research because he believes "it provides great hope for the many Americans affected by debilitating diseases today. Federal involvement will not only help move this promising science forward, but it will ensure that it occurs under strict ethical and procedural guidelines" (see press release).

Cannon Creates Mormon-Run PAC

Article: "A new congressional campaign group could piggyback on Mitt Romney's apparent success in rounding up political cash from first-time Mormon contributors. Neither the website nor filing papers for the Eagle Political Action Committee, or Eagle PAC, mentions Mormons. But those familiar with the PAC say one of the reasons Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), a Mormon, created it this year was to solicit money from Mormons for distribution to Republican congressional candidates" (The Politico).

Today in Political History

April 13, 1743:  Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US president (1801-1809), born this date. Died Jul 4, 1826 (at age 83).

April 13, 1993:  Iraq makes a bungled attempt to assassinate former President George Bush while he is visiting Kuwait.  (Source: perspicuity) 

Wise Words

"It does not take a majority to prevail...but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."

--Samuel Adams (Source: Patriot Post)

Utah Facts

In 1847, Salt Lake, Bountiful and Farmington were officially founded.  Ogden, Centerville, Holladay and West Jordan followed in 1848. (Source:  Utah’s History, Richard D. Poll, et al,  BYU Press 1978,  page 684) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- New York Times: Sen. John McCain's continued defense of Pres. Bush's Iraq War policy has "served as a bold reminder of the remarkable degree to which his party, and all of its leading presidential candidates, stand united behind the president even as public support for the conflict erodes. ... If polling is correct, Mr. McCain and the other Republican presidential candidates may have little choice. Republican primary voters, unlike the rest of the nation, appear to remain supportive of the president and the war ... Backing away from the White House and the war now could prove problematic for any candidate seeking the Republican nomination even if it could prove helpful in the general election" (see also related Politico story and Washington Times editorial).

-- Washington Post: Democratic congressional leaders agreed to meet with the White House next Wednesday "to discuss the stalemated war funding bill -- but only after a day of dueling statements that left prospects for bipartisan cooperation remote. At one point, officials at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue could not even agree on whether they had agreed to have a meeting."

-- Los Angeles Times: Editorial says Pres. Bush should "make amends" for his past opposition to federal funding for embryonic stem cell research by signing the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.  

Blog Watch

-- Steve Peterson reports on the "unique quasi-virtual town hall" he participated in Wednesday with Rep. Chris Cannon and several other bloggers (see also David Rodeback).

-- Patrick Hynes interviews Rep. Cannon about immigration reform.

-- Utah Taxpayer and Col Takashi respond to this anti-voucher op-ed by Rep. Kay McIff.

-- At Out of Context, Thomas Burr reports: "Presidential candidate Mitt Romney called into the Doug Wright show on KSL Radio [Thursday] morning and faced a barrage of Wright's trademark softball questions. Wright talked of the good 'ol Olympics days and handled Romney with kid gloves. No questions about the lifelong hunter controversy, about how his religion affects the race, about any of the criticism of flip-flops. And Wright did his best to pump up Romney's candidacy, noting that, 'The polls are looking really, really good.' Well, let's fact check that. The Los Angeles Times has Romney running in fourth place, behind Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson -- who hasn't even said he's running. Gallup shows Romney in fifth place with 6 percent, and Rasmussen has Romney in its fourth spot with 12 percent. In Iowa, on average, Romney is in third place and in New Hampshire, Romney is third, though gaining a bit. It looks like Wright is, well, wrong."

Casual Friday

Fishing Report

Lake Powell offers excellent fishing right now. Here’s a quote from Wayne Gustaveson's report: “The main event is right around the corner. Large and smallmouth bass will begin spawning with the next warming trend. The long range weather forecast is for sunny and warm by the weekend (April 14-15). My best guess for spawning then is April 17-20. Did I mention that this is the best year in recent memory for big bass? You may want to mark down these dates in RED on the calendar. Fishing is going to be even better than it is now. Next week will be as good as it gets in the spring, if the weather warms as forecast. I hope you can make it.”

Action is good now on most of our lakes and streams. See Dave Webb's fishing report for details.

Outdoors Report

-- Ski Utah unveils new logo in the Morning News

-- Morning News explores Utah’s state parks

-- Sherpas gain recognition during monumental climb in the Tribune 

-- Morning News’ Cycling Notebook provides information about local bicycling competitions

-- 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

-- Perfect Stranger:  Tribune review

-- Disturbia:  Tribune review

-- The Wind That Shakes the Barley:  Tribune review

Concerts

-- Ralph van der Beek, piano, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Allred Theater, WSU, Ogden, free

-- Salt Lake University Institute Concert Choir and Evening Choir, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free

-- BYU Singers and Philharmonic Orchestra, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., de Jong Concert Hall, BYU

-- “Rain,” Cirque Eloize, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Kingsbury Hall

-- “Rites of Passage,” Salt Lake Community College Dance Company, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Grand Theater, 1575 S. State Street, $8

-- Utah Ballet, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance

-- Brahms Requiem, Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall

-- Repertory Dance Theatre presents “Outside Blake’s Window,” Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

-- “Ring Around the Rose,” Repertory Dance Theatre, African drums, Saturday, 11 a.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

-- Jon Schmidt, piano, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $10

-- Pablo Ziegler Quintet and Claudia Acuna, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Allred Theatre, WSU

-- Ogden Institute of Religion Folk Dance Team, Institute Choralaires and Chorale, Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., LDS Conference Center, free but tickets required (801-570-0080)

-- Ballet West presents “Giselle,” through April 21, Capitol Theatre

-- Madeleine Festival, Sundays through May 20, Cathedral of the Madeleine

Theater

-- “Guys and Dolls” through April 14, Center Street Musical Theatre

-- “Lucky Stiff” through April 14, Hale Center Theater Orem

-- “The Busy Body” through April 15, dates and times vary, Babcock Theatre

-- “The Sound of Music” through April 21, Rodgers Memorial Theatre

-- “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” through April 21, Empress Theatre

-- “Rounding Third” through April 22, Salt Lake Acting Company

-- “Wine and One-Acts” through April 28, Pygmalion Productions

-- “Barefoot in the Park” through May 5, Heritage Community Theatre

-- “The Jungle Book” through May 5, Academy Theatre Company

-- “Seussical the Musical” through June 2, Terrace Plaza Playhouse

-- “Phantom of the Grand Ol' Opry” through June 9, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre

Museum Exhibits

-- The 3rd Annual Arte Lation: A Celebration of Latino Art in Utah Exhibition, La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico Exhibition, both exhibits run through April 20, Kimball Art Center

-- Resonance and Return: Social Documentary Photography, 1935-Present Exhibition through May 19, Salt Lake Art Center

-- From Above:  Images of a Storied Land Exhibition through May 20, Utah Museum of Natural History, University of Utah

-- The Quiet Landscapes of William B. Post Exhibition through May 28, Museum of Art, Brigham Young University                                    

-- Brian Kershisnik: Painting from Life Exhibition through July 1, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah                                           

Et Cetera

-- Tulip Festival through April 28, Thanksgiving Point

-- The Organ Loft Spring Silent Movie Series, through May 25