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CPPA Newsletter
The University of Utah's Center for Public Policy & Administration has posted its latest Policy Perspectives newsletter. This month's edition looks at the "nonprofit pipeline problem," diversifying Utah's energy portfolio (see also related white paper), and Utah's uninsured.
Washington Watch
Cannon: New Clinic in West Valley
Rep. Chris Cannon announces plans by the Department of Veterans Affairs to open a new community-based health care clinic in West Valley. Says Cannon: "Those who risk their lives to defend our values and freedoms abroad deserve the security of knowing that they will be given the care they deserve when they return. On the front lines there are plenty of things to worry about. Proper health care should not be one of them. This clinic gives brave veteran Utahns that peace of mind and for that I am thankful."
Regional Politics
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons is off to a very rocky start, with an approval rating of just 28% (New York Times).
Today in History
May 30, 1937: Memorial Day Massacre by Chicago Police occurs this date. Four strikers are killed, three others mortally wounded, and 84 injured as police fire on unarmed Republic Steel strikers. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Still one thing more, fellow citizens, a wise and frugal government which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”
-- Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address (Source: Patriot Post)
Campaign Tip
The following are lessons that have been gleaned by observing debates among candidates in races small and large, local and national:
1. Know the rules. A candidate must be fully briefed on the rules of the debate before it begins. That includes knowing the amount of time available for opening and closing statements, answers, and rebuttals. It also includes knowing whether and how prepared notes may be used and what visuals (charts, photos, documents, etc.) may be displayed. The rules will directly affect your presentation strategies.
2. Know the physical format. Your biggest enemy in a debate is surprise. Do everything possible to reduce the possibility of shock. That includes making sure the candidate is fully aware of the physical format. Whether you will have a podium or table in front of you will affect how you use notes. Whether you will be standing or sitting will influence how you can relate to the opposition. (Read more political debate lessons at this web site)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Politico: "Rudy Giuliani, whose positions on abortion and homosexuality mark him as the most socially liberal Republican presidential candidate in more than a generation, is so far winning the contest for the support of social conservatives, according to a new analysis of recent polls."
-- Des Moines Register: "Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama [unveiled] a health care plan in Iowa City that he says would guarantee that all Americans have health coverage by the end of his first term if he is elected."
-- Wall Street Journal: Columnist Peter Berkowitz: "The left prides itself on, and frequently boasts of, its superior appreciation of the complexity and depth of moral and political life. But political debate in America today tells a different story. On a variety of issues that currently divide the nation, those to the left of center seem to be converging, their ranks increasingly untroubled by debate or dissent, except on daily tactics and long-term strategy. Meanwhile, those to the right of center are engaged in an intense intra-party struggle to balance competing principles and goods."
-- Washington Post: Columnist E.J. Dionne says the immigration reform proposal "is a source of great agony and a fountainhead of opportunity. ... Just about everybody has a problem with parts of this bill. But just about everybody has an even bigger problem with the status quo. My hunch is that the politics of opportunity have a slight advantage over whatever agony may be called forth by this imperfect compromise."
Blog Watch
-- At the Senate Site, Sens. John Valentine and Curt Bramble report: "According to Paul Rolly, the GOP is 'brimming with rumors' about Curt Bramble gearing up for a run against John Valentine for president of the Utah Senate. To our discriminating readers, we offer the following: It's not true. What is true: President Valentine and Senator Bramble work well together. So does the rest of the Senate Leadership Team. Also true: President Valentine and Senator Bramble are totally committed to Stan Lockhart as the next Utah Republican Party Chairman. No questions, no reservations. Another nugget: The Valentines, Brambles and Lockharts are long-time friends and do a lot of things together off of the Hill. In fact, the annual fishing & backpack trips with the three families and their boys are now almost legendary. (And yes, the fish stories are all true!) And finally: Senator Bramble is not running against President Valentine in 2008. John Valentine intends to run for Senate President again, and Senator Bramble for Majority Leader."
-- Rep. John Dougall says "[t]he Dnews editorial board really missed the mark last week in their comments regarding electronic voting" (see also related Phil Windley and Frank Staheli posts).
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart solicits reader feedback on a petition he's drafted "to get the discussion going" about the voucher referendum situation (for more on the voucher issue, see Jeremy's Jeremiad).
Utah’s Top Issues
Here’s our periodic list of significant political issues, generated by observing what’s hot in the news media, what’s on the agenda of various policymaking groups, and what’s being discussed among opinion leaders and policymakers. We welcome suggestions and input from UPD readers. E-mail daily@utahpolicy.com.
Hottest of the Hot
° The voucher issue: State School Board votes against implementing voucher legislation; Gov. Huntsman and legislative leaders say they will make November’s vote on vouchers conclusive
° Dividing big school districts: Proposed legislation that would distribute the burden of school building costs across counties or the state
Emerging
° Six candidates file for the Republican Party Chair
° Concerns over rising gas and energy prices in Utah
° Hogle Zoo’s request to place a $65 million bond on the November ballot
° Sales tax ballot proposals for transportation projects in Davis, Weber and parts of Box Elder county
° Lake Powell pipeline to Washington/Iron counties
° Centerville & Farmington propose a bypass road between North Legacy Highway and Legacy Parkway
° Global warming: Huntsman signs the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative
° The race for Rep. Chris Cannon’s third district congressional seat in ‘08
° Opposition to HR811 requiring paper ballot back-ups for new voting machines
° UDOT chooses 2100 North in Lehi for Mt. View Corridor connector
° Mayor Rocky Anderson’s threat to prevent a skybridge by selling access to the air space over Main Street to a third party
° Longer teaching contracts for public education teachers
Mature
° 4th congressional seat for Utah
° Snake Valley water pumping for Las Vegas
° Immigration
° Affordable heath insurance
° Mitt Romney presidential campaign
° Pending court case on vouchers
° School district breakup/downsizing
° All day kindergarten
° Salt Lake City mayoral race
Getting Old (but not totally resolved)
° SITLA land sales
° Education achievement gap of disadvantaged students
° UTA route changes and fare increases
Oldies But Goodies
° Overall transportation funding
° Ethics reform
° No Child Left Behind
° Healthcare reform/Medicaid
° Guns on campus |
