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The Week Ahead
-- The longest day of the year is Thursday, June 21, the summer solstice, when the sun hits its point farthest north.
-- The Legislature has a busy week with meetings Tuesday, Wednesday (interim day) and Thursday. See the legislative calendar for meeting notices and agendas. Current hot issues like school building finance, judicial retention elections, education vouchers, energy issues, elderly drivers, etc., will be discussed.
-- For all the week’s political events, see the UtahPolicy.com calendar.
Washington Watch
Hatch, Bennett: PILT $$ for Utah
Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett announce that Utah counties will receive over $20 million in PILT payments from the federal government to help rural communities pay for essential services (see Hatch and Bennett press releases).
$40 Million for Military Projects
The Senate Appropriations Committee approves a bill that will fund over $40 million in military construction projects for Utah, including a request from Sen. Bennett for a new munitions maintenance facility at Hill Air Force Base (see press release).
Today in Political History
June 18, 1812: The War of 1812 began as the U.S. Congress declared war against Britain for repeated violations of America rights to the sea, and the incitement of Indians on the frontier. (Source: perspicuity)
June 18, 1873: Susan B. Anthony is fined $100 for attempting to vote in the 1872 presidential election. (Source: NBC5)
June 18, 1953: The Republic of Egypt is declared and the monarchy is abolished
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 (Patriot Post)
Leadership Tip
Avoid Wasting Time in Meetings
By John Baldoni
A recent study claimed that managers spent between 25-50% of their time in meetings. Much of this time is unproductive. Too many managers fit their work schedules around meeting times, and end up spending too much time in meetings. They have to work early or late to get their real work done. It’s no wonder then that Scott Adams chooses to use meetings and all their deficiencies as a fodder for many of his Dilbert strips.
For effective meetings, first, make sure the meeting has a specific and useful purpose. Second, draft an agenda based upon the meeting purpose. Third, establish ground rules for discussion. Fourth, limit debate. Fifth, adhere to the agenda items. Sixth, end the meeting at the scheduled time. (Source: Management at About.com)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Wall Street Journal: "An unprecedented number of states have scheduled early presidential primaries to grab some influence from the traditional first kingmakers, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. But ... the front-loaded calendar could instead make that opening trio of states -- and roughly a half-million voters in each party -- more decisive than ever."
-- Los Angeles Times: "It is a paradox of the 2008 presidential race. By a wide margin, several polls show, voters want a Democrat to win -- yet when offered head-to-head contests of leading announced candidates, many switch allegiance to the Republican."
-- The Economist: Editorial: "A [Barack] Obama presidency would signal to many ... that the American dream still works. His opposition to the two policies that have hurt America's image most -- invading Iraq and making use of torture -- will convince many that he represents a fresh start. But his inexperience is worrisome ... As George Will ... put it, he is asking Americans to 'treat the presidency as a nearly entry-level political office.'"
-- Washington Post: Pres. Bush and Congress "are headed toward a battle over spending this fall ... Bush is trying to hold discretionary spending to no more than $933 billion for the coming fiscal year ... but Democrats in Congress are pushing for an additional $23 billion for domestic programs."
Feds Release FrontRunner $$
The Utah Transit Authority has received word from Rep. Rob Bishop that the first $80 million installment of federal funding for the FrontRunner project has been released by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Says UTA general manager John Inglish: "We are excited about this installment and even more excited about what it means for the people of Utah. Construction is more than 70 percent complete on FrontRunner and we look forward to beginning service next spring" (see press release).
Lighter Side
Belated Father’s Day Quotes
“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” —Mark Twain
“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” —Charles Wadsworth
“By profession I am a soldier and take great pride in that fact, but I am also prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father.” —Douglas MacArthur (Patriot Post) |
