Practical Legislative Priorities
Utah House leaders have listed their legislative priorities this year as higher salaries for teachers, funding for critical transportation projects, and health system reform. Those are excellent priorities. Notice there is not any “message” bills among them. They are all nuts-and-bolts, practical priorities that affect the lives of real people.
That’s not to say that some legislation on moral issues or conservative causes won’t be dealt with. In a body of 104 lawmakers, each with the ability to introduce whatever he or she wants, some “message” bills will inevitably come up. Such legislation always gets heavy media attention, even if it doesn’t ultimately pass. But the focus of legislative leadership isn’t on “message” bills.
I believe in this election year voters want leaders, both in Utah and nationally, who focus on nuts and bolts, who are problem-solvers rather than ideological purists. Voters are tired of ideological warfare. Read this interesting column by David Brooks of the New York Times for more on this topic.
Washington Watch
Hatch Supports Majerus
Columnist Bernie Miklasz: "Of the many messages of support that Rick Majerus has received this week, the most meaningful probably came from the notable Utah conservative, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch. Hatch and Majerus have known each other for more than a decade, since Majerus took over the Utah basketball program. Politically, they agree on very little. ... So Majerus was touched when Hatch sent a message Wednesday, telling Majerus that he admired The Coach for being a stand-up guy in stating his beliefs on abortion rights and stem cell research. Majerus is pro choice, and is a passionate supporter of stem cell research, and those beliefs were famously criticized by St. Louis Archibishop Raymond Burke, who reminded us that they are in conflict with the official positions of the Catholic Church" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Hatch denounces "partisan obstruction of a bill to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which empowers the government to monitor potential terrorist activity abroad. The Senate Intelligence Committee approved a bipartisan compromise on FISA by a vote of 13-2 in October 2007, but certain Democratic Senators have slowed the legislation’s progress" (see press release).
Matheson: Fighting for SCHIP
Rep. Jim Matheson says "he’ll keep fighting for legislation to extend a successful children’s health insurance program, despite the disappointing outcome of [yesterday's] vote to override the president’s [SCHIP] veto" (see press release).
Today in Political History
Jan. 25, 1915: The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, inaugurates U.S. transcontinental telephone service.
Jan. 25, 1961: Pres. John Kennedy holds the first presidential news conference to be televised live. (Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.”
-- Thomas Paine (Source: Quote Garden)
Utah Landmarks
Alta: Mining and Skiing
Situated at the upper end of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta is a community that has had two lives. Silver was discovered in the area in 1864, and by the following year the first verified mining claim was filed. The first settlement in the area - Central City - consisted of a sawmill along with several small boarding houses and businesses. The town soon boasted a population of 216.
In the fall of 1871, Alta was established only 850 yards east of Central City on what was the widest flat area of the canyon. Starting with the Alta Hotel, Central City merchants began relocating their log buildings. The borders of the two communities soon merged, the name Central City was dropped, and its residents were absorbed into Alta. Though alta is a Spanish word meaning "upper or higher," the actual origin of the name has remained unclear. By 1872, the town's population had boomed to 3,000 and there were 180 buildings.
On 13 November 1938 Alta's first ski lift was officially dedicated, becoming operational in 1939. Its second season saw the purchase of 86,000 ski lift rides; and its first international downhill and slalom competition was held in March 1940. The Alta Ski School opened soon after and the Alta Lodge was dedicated on 29 November 1940. During World War II Alta became involved in the war effort when paratroopers from the 10th Mountain Regiment trained on its ski slopes. The postwar period saw the addition of two more ski lifts, two new lodges, and several rope tows.
The resort was enlarged in 1960, to accommodate the growing popularity of skiing in general and the attraction of the resort with its spectacular beauty and, according to some, even more spectacular snow. It was soon considered one of the premier ski resorts in America. By 1970 Alta recorded 92 full-time residents and was incorporated as a town in order to become eligible for federal government funds for water and sewer facilities. The incorporation brought with it the formulation of an overall master plan for the future development of all surrounding private lands. Alta has continued to develop under a slow steady growth plan into a year-round recreational community. Yet, with all of its changes and developments, Alta has never lost sight of its foremost purpose: to provide a place for locals and visitors to ski what has been called by many the "greatest snow on earth." (Source: Utah.Edu)
Blog Watch
-- The Senate Site reports: "Ambassador John Bruton, the European Union's Ambassador to the United States, visited the Utah State Senate [Thursday]. Feeling 'at home' on the Senate floor, Ambassador Bruton analogized the feelings of loss and opportunity associated with Irish emigration to Utah's pioneer heritage. He said the same feelings of loss and opportunity accompany the United States' and the European Union's challenges regarding energy consumption and global climate change. Ambassador Bruton also discussed how his visit to Utah was a reminder of the European Union's and Utah's interdependence. In 2005, $11 billion of the $12 billion invested in Utah came from the European Union, while in 2006, Utah exported three times more goods and services to the European Union than it did to China, Japan, India, and Korea combined." (For more Legislature-related posts, see The Utah Amicus, Salt Lake Crawler, Lincoln's Legislative Blog, Perception is Reality, and Woods Cross Citizen.
Lighter Side
“The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.”
—Scott Friedman (Quoted in Tea Leaf)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Bear Lake is now completely frozen. Ice is only about 1.5 inches thick around Cisco Beach, but some people are getting on it trying to net cisco. The cisco run has peaked and will fade over the next few days. More information.
Ice fishing remains good at most waters, but is often spotty where access is easy. Hike away from the crowds for the best action.
Several interesting outdoor events will take place during the next weeks, including the St George Winter Bird Festival, Bald Eagle Day, the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo and the Sportsmans Vacation & RV show. More info here.
Outdoors Report
-- Tribune reports on novices learning to ski
-- Be prepared for avalanches, says the Morning News
-- Outdoor retailers look to teens for future business, reports the Tribune
-- Morning News takes readers on turns in Alta’s powder
-- Sherpas’ genetics give them advantage at high altitude, reports the Tribune
-- 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
Weekend Events
New Films
-- Untraceable: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Eighth Annual Gospel Music Festival, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Browning Center for the Performing Arts, Weber State University, Ogden, free
-- “Sample Tracks,” SB Dance and Sugar Space, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Center
-- Mark Broschinsky and Larry Blackburn, trombone and piano, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, free
-- BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men's and Women's Choruses, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, 100 S. University Ave., Provo
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “The Vertical Hour” through January 26, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Tosca” through January 27, Capitol Theatre
-- “What the Butler Saw” through February 2, Wasatch Theatre Company
-- “The Robber Bridegroom” through February 4, SCERA Center
-- “Cheaper By the Dozen” through February 9, Heritage Theatre
-- “Crowns” through February 9, Grand Theatre
-- “Don’t Drink the Water” through February 9, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Lend Me a Tenor” through February 9, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Once Upon a Mattress” through February 9, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “Robin Hood” through February 9, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “Forever Plaid” through February 15, Terrace Plaza Playhouse, Logan
-- “Man of La Mancha” through February 16, St. George Musical Theater
-- “My Valley Fair Lady” through March 22, Desert Star Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- Masks, Magic, and Mirrors Exhibition through March 31, Natural Revelations: Paintings by Susan Swartz Exhibition through April 13, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- SF Recycled and Masters of West Coast Assemblage and Collage Exhibitions through January 26, David Kimball Anderson: To Morris Graves Exhibition through February 2, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Minerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Et cetra
-- Cats and Cocoa, Friday and Saturday, Hogle Zoo
-- Park City Film Music Festival, through January 27
-- St. George Winter Bird Festival, through January 27, Tonaquint Park and Nature Center
-- Sundance Film Festival, through January 27, Park City |
