Slower Economy, But No Recession Yet
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold's Tea Leaf economic update this week says that all the talk about the current or imminent American recession will have to wait a bit longer. "The reason? The U.S. economy added an estimated 94,000 net additional jobs during November. A net gain of 94,000 jobs is consistent with slowing--not declining--U.S. economic growth." Thredgold says the economy is going to slow, but he's not ready to predict a recession.
Becker Focuses on the Economy
Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Ralph Becker's transition teams have been busy helping him prepare to take over City Hall in January.
EDCUtah's latest Economic Review newsletter says Becker reached out the Salt Lake Chamber to organize the economic development transition team, which is wrapping up its work this week. The Chamber's Natalie Gochnour led the team, which included a variety of high profile economic developers. Gochnour told EDCUtah that the economic development transition team's work "reaffirmed the optimism and energy felt by Salt Lake's business community, because of the strong economy, the unprecedented investment in the central business district, and the freshness of new leadership in the mayor's office, all of which has created the opportunity for substantive progress."
Among its list of priorities for the mayor-elect, the transition team is recommending that Becker focus on:
-- Building upon the Downtown Rising platform and include development of a performing arts center, World Trade Center, permanent public market, and an explicit partnership with the University of Utah.
-- Expansion of the Salt Lake International Airport.
-- Balanced development of the northwest quadrant of Salt Lake City.
-- Reactivation of Salt Lake's Foreign Trade Zone.
Washington Watch
Hatch's TBI Act Approved
The Senate passes Sen. Orrin Hatch's Traumatic Brain Injury Act, which "expands the Public Health Services Act and provides individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) assistance in returning to work, finding a place to live, accessing needed supports and services, and obtaining appropriate rehabilitation services" (see press release).
Today in Political History
Dec. 13, 1918: President Woodrow Wilson arrives in France, becoming the first chief executive to visit Europe while in office. (National Journal 2007 political calendar)
Dec. 13, 1991: North and South Korea leaders sign a treaty ending the Korean War, after 38 years.
Dec. 13, 2000: George W. Bush claims the presidency 36 days after election day as Vice President Al Gore concedes. (Source: NBC5)
Dec. 13, 2003: Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. forces, found in a hole in the ground on a farm south of Tikrit. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
-- Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775 (Source: GMU.edu)
Utah Spotlight
Hogle Zoo Facts
- The zoo has been a favorite family destination for 75 years.
- It is the 5th most-visited attraction in the state.
- Last year’s attendance, 847, 831, set a new record. Attendance continues at a record-breaking pace, with Jan. 1 – June 24, 2007, numbers up 104,000 over the same period last year.
- While attendance has grown 37% since 2002, the membership base has grown 60%.
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Hill: "Despite the hype and anticipation, the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses and the first since former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee surged to the lead was a rather ho-hum affair. The Des Moines Register's format, combined with a distracting appearance by Alan Keyes and the field's apparent decision to play nice, amounted to a pass for Huckabee, who was expected to endure his toughest outing yet."
-- New York Times Magazine profiles Huckabee.
-- Chicago Tribune: "Not long ago it was the issue that dominated every campaign event and speech. Now the war in Iraq has dramatically receded as a campaign topic, giving way to preoccupations closer to home -- the price of heating oil, the collapse of the real estate market and the high cost of health care."
-- The Politico: Rep. Nancy Pelosi's performance as House Speaker has dashed the expectations of both conservatives and liberals.
Blog Watch
-- Sen. Scott McCoy, COL Takashi, Eric S. Peterson, and Christian Burridge discuss Mitt Romney's Mormonism in the aftermath of Romney's "Faith in America" speech.
Lighter Side
History’s Regrettable Quotes
(Great Quotes)
-- “I’m sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don’t know how to use the English language.” – The San Francisco Examiner, rejecting a submission by Rudyard Kipling in 1889
-- “Just so-so in center field.” – New York Daily News after the premiere of Willie Mays, 1951
-- “You better get secretarial work or get married.” – Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modelling Agency, advising would-be model Marilyn Monroe in 1944 |
