Planet Utah

SLC Spin: Sutherland Is Right About Transparency

Fri, 09 May 2008 19:06:21 +0000

Governor Huntsman to Sign Bill to Increase Government Transparency

Sutherland Institute Releases New Research Showing Potential Savings from New Law

Salt Lake City, UT – May 9, 2008 – Based on research conducted by the Sutherland Institute, Utah taxpayers could potentially see a yearly savings in excess of $100,000 once SB 38: Transparency in Government Finance is fully implemented. Governor Huntsman will sign the bill on Monday, May 12 at 2:00 pm at the Department of Workforce Services.

The Sutherland-supported bill requires the state to set up a website that will “provide access to financial reports, financial audits, budgets, and other financial documents” free of charge to all Utahns. In conjunction with the bill’s signing, Sutherland has issued a new report: Transparency in Government that highlights the potential for significant savings and increased public awareness that Utah’s new transparency bill will facilitate.

“When the light of public inquiry is allowed to shine on government finances, liberty is preserved, representative government is strengthened, and responsible governance is encouraged,” said Derek Monson, policy analyst for Sutherland. “We commend Senator Niederhauser’s efforts to enact policy that uses current technology to put information about state spending just a click away for the average Utahn.”

Sutherland’s new report discusses in detail the benefits of the legislation to Utah and makes the case for continuing to broaden the scope of SB 38, which currently only applies to the state government while exempting cities, counties, and most educational institutions from providing information to the website. Some of the reports highlights include the increased good governance, easy access to state spending habits, significant financial benefits to Utah taxpayers, and better fraud prevention capability.

The full report can be downloaded at

http://www.sutherlandinstitute.org/uploads/transparencyingovernment.pdf.

Utah Senate: Progress Report: Funding Public Ed

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:28:18 +0000

By Curt Bramble

Senate Majority Leader

I appreciate Senator Hillyard's sentiments in his previous blog. It's something all of us have felt many times. Maybe it will take a few years for the unprecedented funding increases to sink into the public consciousness. We have truly taken some giant steps in funding education and expect to do more in the next few years.

Here is a progress report:

Education employee compensation growth has outpaced other government salary increases in each of the past three years. In FY 2007 and FY 2008 the increase was almost double.

In FY 2009, compensation items funded for public education equal a 6.6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 5 percent increase for state employees.

In FY 2008, compensation items funded for public education equal a 9.6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 4.5 percent increase for state employees.

In FY 2007, compensation items funded for public education equal a 6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 3.5 percent increase for state employees.

In the last three years, the Legislature has nearly doubled the rate of increases to the WPU. From 2006 to 2009 the value of the WPU increased 13 percent (Compared to 6.9 percent 2003 to 2006).

Charter school enrollment increased 256 percent from 2004 to 2007. Number of charter schools increased from 28 in 2004 to more than 55 in 2007-08.

From 2006 to 2009, Education fund appropriations (including the Uniform School Fund) supporting public education increased 37.7 percent (compared to a 13.5 percent increase from 2003 to 2006). Total education appropriations (including all funds) increased 36.6 percent from 2006 to 2009. (Compared to 19.1 percent 2003 to 2006).

Total education appropriations increased 11.3 percent in FY 2007 and 14.4 percent in FY 2008 – representing the highest annual increases since 1991 at 11.4 percent.

Since FY 2000, total education appropriations have increased more than 73 percent. Student enrollment has increased 15.7 percent.

The average annual change in education appropriations from FY 2000 to FY 2009 equals 6.4 percent compared to the average annual change in student enrollment of 1.6 percent.

A few more stats . . .

Utah Criterion Reference Test (CRT) results have increased from 2004 to 2007:

Language Arts: 75.78 percent proficient in 2004 to 77.09 percent in 2007
Mathematics: 69.9 percent proficient in 2004 to 69.98 percent in 2007
Science: 60.62 percent proficient in 2004 to 63.6 percent in 2007

Keep paying attention. The vast majority of my colleagues are fully committed to meet the funding [and other] challenges faced by our students and teachers.

Utah Amicus: “Don’t Fall Prey to Meth”

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:30:00 +0000

Methamphetamine Abuse Presentation To Be Given

Free to Public at City & County Building

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series

A monthly presentation on substance abuse issues that affect our community

Date: Friday, May 9th, 2008

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Room 326, Salt Lake City and County Building (451 S. State St.)

Topic: “Don’t Fall Prey to Meth”

Methamphetamine ("meth") use affects more than just the person using the drug. It literally impacts the lives of all Utah citizens; users, spouses, siblings, parents, grandparents, children, friends, neighbors, educators, businesses - indeed, entire communities. The drug possesses an insidious ability to strike in unexpected places. In fact, the face of meth addiction is most often that of a woman, often with young children. Meth use in Utah has devastating effects for families and communities. We'll explore some prevention and intervention strategies that may help people not fall prey to meth.

Guest Speaker: Mike Cottam is a retired public educator with experience as a counselor and prevention specialist. As an educator, he was honored with the U. S. Department of Education recognition for outstanding achievement in Drug and Alcohol education, the Alpine Excellence in Teaching award and the Utah State PTA Friend of Children award.

Mike is a member of the Utah National Guard and recently received the prestigious Utah National Guard Minuteman Award for 40 years of outstanding service to his country.

For more information contact: Abbie Vianes, Tel: (801) 535-7936

Email: abbie.vianes@slcgov.com

Utah Amicus: Vote Bob Aagard for National Delegate

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:12:00 +0000

Dear Delegate:

I am sure that by now, you're sick and tired of getting numerous emails and phone calls from my fellow candidates for National Delegate. That's why I chose not to send any out. I didn't want my message to get lost in the clutter.

I chose other distribution for my message to get out.

I run one of the longest-running political blogs in the state of Utah. (http://www.TheWorldAccordingToMe.US) I have also been a long-time supporter of Senator Obama's.

In fact, you can say I've been ready and right from day one. I signed up to help the Obama campaign on February 10 of last year while the Senator was announcing his candidacy. I have stayed with him since then.

That same day, I created the group Mormons for Obama, and also joined the Utah for Obama group.

When Michelle Obama came to Salt Lake to speak before our primary, she said that Barack was going to need our help not just on February 5, but clear through Novemebr 4, and then for the next 8 years. It's not just about getting to the office, it's about doing what's best for America once you're there.

If you elect me as a delegate, I promise to make sure my conduct and my votes represent the best options for the State of Utah.

Thank you for your time.

-Bob Aagard

Candidate

Obama Pledged Delegate

Utah's Second District

Utah Senate: Public Education Funding

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:18:29 +0000

By Lyle Hillyard

Utah State Senator, District 25

I was attending a public meeting the other day when a good friend asked me when the legislature was going to get serious about funding education and raise taxes. It reminded me, once again, of the misconception about how “we are always cutting education” and that is why there are still the concerns about what we are doing to improve the lagging success of public education.

Of course, I mentioned all the money we have put into education the last few years. I heard Gov. Huntsman point out that the initial salary for beginning teachers has risen about 20% in the last two years. In this last year’s budget, public education received, by far, the most new state dollars.

My final point in talking to my friend was this: if pouring nothing but money was the solution for what he thought ailed public education, the huge amounts of money that we had invested the past few years would have reduced or at least started to reduce his concerns (and it obviously had not). More money would probably help every program but he finally suggested that maybe the biggest help to public education would be for more parents to become involved with the process in helping their children and holding them to a higher expectation of performance. After all, helping public education succeed is not just a problem for teachers. All of us need to be involved at a level beyond merely complaining.

One Utah: Getting CORC’ed

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:59:31 +0000

Last night was the annual meeting of the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC). The Coalition represents 20+ denominations thoughout Utah. Members of CORC work on a broad array of social justice issues, primarily issues of economic justice - although we were also one of the leading groups supporting effective hate crimes ...

Political Spyglass

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:41:48 +0000

The Morning Roundup

Posted: 08 May 2008 08:30 AM CDT

Fox News's "Fox and Friends" Debbie Dingell, on Michigan delegates being seated: "With all due respect to President Carter, he's wrong. He's one of the people that's made Iowa, a small state that...

Political Spyglass

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:41:20 +0000

Clinton Fights For Her Life

Posted: 08 May 2008 06:41 AM CDT

Hillary Clinton's biggest problem right now isn't her lack of money, and it isn't that undecided superdelegates will suddenly move against her. Indeed, yesterday was notable for the fact that so few...

Political Spyglass

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:40:45 +0000

Obama's Next Step

Posted: 07 May 2008 12:24 PM CDT

In a conference call with reporters, the Obama campaign focused on the relatively small number of pledged delegates they need to win the majority, and had five of Obama's top elected supporters...

Death Knell: The Obama problem

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:37:29 +0000

Obama has spent the last few days and weeks attempting to distance himself from Jeremiah Wright (an ironic name given his political leanings). Better writers than I, including Charles Krauthammer and Thomas Sowell, have done excellent jobs in pointing out Obama's consistently inconsistent stance on the Reverend Wright and the troubles Obama has run into in embracing and then distancing himself from his reverend of 20 years.

The problem that I wanted to reference relates to an old political adage. The saying goes, you move to the extreme during primaries and then back to the middle for the general election. Obama's problem is that he's had to move himself from the extreme far left (a la Reverend Wright's positions on America, whites, and terrorism) more toward the middle just to be accepted by his own party. When the general election comes around, he'll have a hard time taking any positions that resound with the majority of Americans.

The solution to his problem (which remains a problem for the rest of us) is handed to him on a silver platter by the left-leaning "mainstream media." They don't seem to care that this guy has been attending a racist's sermons for 20 years, nor do they seem to care that this guy's soundbites come more from Karl Marx than any original thinking. Obama has been given a free pass by all mainstream media outlets. They really don't care what this guy says, as long as it causes them to swoon they will endorse him and fall all over themselves attempting to look like the more tolerant entity.

The irony is that, right after 9-11 liberals constantly harped on their new mantra "to criticize the U.S. does not make one un-patriotic." While I agree with that statement, liberals would often use it to avoid being criticized on any ground by labeling the critics as right-wing nuts who believe America is infallible.

Now the shoe is on the other foot. Liberals will jump all over any individual who criticizes Obama's policies, lack of substance, and associations by making blanket statements about the critic being racist or intolerant. Whereas before they could criticize the U.S. without reproach, now they denounce anyone who criticizes Obama as improper.

The inconsistencies, and unwillingness to allow Obama to be truly vetted is the biggest cause for concern for any American, whether they love America or wish that God would damn it. Unfortunately, the latter group welcomes this lack of media scrutiny with open arms.

SLC Spin: Energy Solutions Has Their Fingers Crossed Behind Their Back

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:46:18 +0000

From the Energy Solutions press release:

EnergySolutions also announced that it has offered to self-impose a limit on international material equal to 5 percent of the remaining capacity at its Clive disposal facility.

Then at the bottom of the page is LITERALLY the fine print:

There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements

Out of Context (Salt Lake Tribune): The old switcheroo

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:03:14 +0000

SB53, banning initiatives and referenda on local land-use ordinances, is pretty clearly unconstitutional, the Attorney General's Office now says. It doesn't even look like a close call. The plain language of the Utah Constitution says it all. Voters have the right to initiate law at the state or local level and they have the right to put any law or ordinance passed by the Legislature or local

One Utah: Helen Thomas on Sadr City: ‘Why are we bombing these people?’

Thu, 08 May 2008 04:59:36 +0000

Via The Washington Independent we learn that Helen Thomas went to Tuesday's White House press briefing with Dana Perino and asked the questions few dare to ask, even of the most unpopular administration ever: THOMAS: Yesterday, according to The New York Times, we dropped a bomb on a home in Sadr ...

Utah Senate: Education $$

Thu, 08 May 2008 03:28:18 +0000

KUTV: More Utah Taxpayer Money Going To Kids' Educations

Public spending on Utah's students increased by nearly 10 percent last year, officials said.

According to the Utah Taxpayers Association, spending increased from $6,529 per student in 2006 to $7,009 per student in 2007 -- a 7.3 percent increase. Officials credit the Utah Legislature with the increase, since they have allocated more public funds to the state's education system.

Operations expenditures also increased during the same period from $5,126 to $5,348 -- a 4.3 percent increase.

The report, which includes students between kindergarten and 12th grade, predicted that per-student spending would reach $7,500 by the 2008 fiscal year.

Here's the Taxpayers Association report.

Voice of Utah: From two Hillary supporters: Give it up

Thu, 08 May 2008 02:37:50 +0000

The time has come. Extract your price (Secretary of State?) and bow out.

Utah Amicus: Wayne at 50

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:14:00 +0000

Utah Democratic Chair Wayne Holland, Jr. on his 50th birthday

Wayne and Katie Holland

Out of Context (Salt Lake Tribune): Jensen was -- what's the word? -- cautious

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:37:05 +0000

Salt Lake County created a snoop-into-Kennecott committee to find out if the copper giant's Magna tailings pile can withstand a major earthquake. But County Council Chairman Michael Jensen stumbled over his words in describing the gamut of personalities on the panel -- ranging from Kennecott defenders to outspoken opponents such Michael Sullivan, who once threatened a class-action lawsuit

Pete Ashdown: iProvo Sale and RFP

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:10:06 +0000

Over a year ago, Provo City put out an RFP titled, “Request for Proposals for Partnership Opportunities with Telecommunication Service Providers on the iProvo Network”. This was a public invitation to companies like XMission to provide services to the citizens of Provo over the fiber network installed by the city. You can read the full text of the RFP on the Provo city website.

XMission was excited to respond to Provo’s request. This was in fact, the first time we had been invited to participate at all. The process that Provo originally engaged in to select their disastrous first Internet provider, HomeNet, and then subsequent providers was never extended to XMission. This in spite of the consistent calls from Provo residents to iProvo to allow us to participate on their network.

After responding to Provo’s request, XMission had a number of meetings with iProvo which were welcoming and positive. The last meeting we had with them was in December when we were told that we were on track to be a participant and some wholesale pricing was reworked. Yesterday, iProvo held a press conference where they announced the sale of the network to a company named Broadweave.

I attended the press conference and asked a simple question of the mayor, “Do you think the sale of a public asset should be done through a public process?” His response was that it was done in a public fashion and that I only needed to read the RFP to understand that the network sale was a possibility. The RFP title states, “Partnership Opportunities with Telecommunication Service Providers on the iProvo Network” with the keyword being “on”. Later in the document the “goals and design for the Network Project” are laid out, with the first being, “To provide the citizens of Provo a full range of competitive choices for telecommunications services and applications.” How exactly does selling the network to a business which will lock out out all other businesses meet this goal of the RFP? As recent as two weeks ago, Mayor Billings was claiming there were offers, but “due diligence” had prevented a sale. If this is the same “due diligence” that selected HomeNet, an out-of-state company which used forged documents to prop up its financials, then it would have been enlightening to see how Broadweave was selected.

Unfortunately, none of the proceedings in selecting Broadweave are public. Provo officials have handled the public trust much like a private entity in signing “non-disclosure agreements” and not being fully clear that iProvo indeed was for sale. Although the claim is made that Broadweave is paying $40 million for the network, they are simply assuming the bond debt, which will fall back to Provo City if they can’t sustain their business model and Sorenson Capitol backs out of the transaction.

I wish Provo the best success in their efforts, others have been more critical. Some have claimed my comments to the press are so much “sour grapes”. Let me be clear, my interest in iProvo since its inception was being a provider on an open-competition network. I believe there is a very good reason private interests worldwide are not building ubiquitous fiber networks — the payback is beyond 20 years. There is no doubt in my mind that if Qwest, Comcast, and all data service providers were restricted to providing service over one municipal fiber network, it would not only succeed, the public would see cheaper rates and superior service. The lack of proper RFP for the sale of iProvo hands the network over to a single private interest that will control rates and service.

I have been told that there were other national and international companies who expressed interest in purchasing iProvo. Would they have kept the network open to service provider competition? Would there have been a better deal instead of just assuming the bond debt? Without a proper RFP process in place for the sale, the public will never know.

Since the beginning of iProvo, XMission has wanted to help the network succeed. Instead, we have been inexplicably stonewalled and blocked at every turn. What is certain now is that there will be no open competition on the iProvo network. Eventually this country will realize that fiber infrastructure is not a luxury that can be sustained by a business model, but a necessary investment in our economy. Sadly, it is going to take another decade of mismanagement and lost promises by the private sector before that is realized.

One Utah: Best Barack Quote of the Day

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:59:38 +0000

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington . . . I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Utah Amicus: Did AG Shurtleff break Federal Election Commission law?

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:39:00 +0000

From the Deseret News:

He spent $146 for a "clothing expense"; $45 to pay for a locksmith to open his car when he accidentally locked in his keys; and tens of thousands of dollars in donations to other politicians, including $5,000 to state Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo; $2,300 to the presidential campaign of John McCain (and also used money to travel to campaign for McCain); and $5,000 to Walker's treasurer campaign.

The Deseret News states that 94% of AG Shurtleff's campaign contributions came from corporations. They also stated that Shurtleff made a $2300.00 expenditure to Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

I looked at Shurtleff's 2004 and 2008 expenditure report and could not find a donation to McCain's campaign. Was it there before it was pointed out to the D-News and removed afterwards, or did the D-News get that information from another source, or do I need new glasses?

To be fair, I'm not accusing Shurtleff of breaking FEC laws. I am however asking a important question that should be clarified. I'll take a closer look at the FEC laws on travel and personal contributions.

To be continued...

Out of Context (Salt Lake Tribune): Bigger than the 'little Legislature'?

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:08:35 +0000

Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch jabbed at the Legislature this week in backing an $8.7 million funding package for the Sandy Amphitheater and nearby recreational venues. While colleagues clamored about the money lightening Sandy's budget burden and perhaps allowing the suburb to sink more cash into a Real Salt Lake soccer stadium -- a sore spot after Sandy, with the Legislature's help,

Utah Amicus: Deseret News: Payday lenders are generous to Shurtleff

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Sum is fourth of total he has raised for campaign

Copyright 2008 Deseret News

By Bob Bernick Jr. and Lee Davidson

Deseret News

Published: May 7, 2008

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff seeks a third four-year term this year, and he's looked to some old friends for much of his campaign fundraising — like payday loan operators who charge an average of 500 percent interest annually.

Shurtleff, 50, is a conservative GOP attorney general who at times angered core Republicans over his more liberal stands, like including gays in hate crimes laws and opposing Amendment 3, which banned same-sex marriages in Utah.

Shurtleff raised $38,400 from payday loan owners this year, about $1 of every $4 given to him, according to new financial disclosure forms required before Shurtleff faces renomination at Saturday's Republican State Convention in Orem.

Shurtleff raised $161,625 in 2008, leading among candidates for attorney general, auditor and treasurer. Next best fundraiser was state Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy, who is running for state treasurer. He raised $46,605.

More...

Utah Senate: Another reason to hate us

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:29:29 +0000

Conservatives Happier Than Liberals

Don't be a hater.

One Utah: A Very Special Kind of Stupid

Tue, 06 May 2008 23:14:28 +0000

This week's "very special kind of stupid" award goes to Kathleen Roberson, of Dove Creek, Colorado. Her letter in the Trib has a special mix of "bumpkin" and pearl-clutching, "Get me my smellin' salts, Vern, I've got the vapors" kind of stupid and moral indignation: During a visit to Salt ...

Utah Amicus: Give the Money Back AG Shurtleff!

Tue, 06 May 2008 22:34:00 +0000

JEAN WELCH HILL QUESTIONS SHURTLEFF'S ABILITY TO VIGOROUSLY DEFEND UTAH AGAINST ITALIAN NUCLEAR WASTE PLAN

Hill Says Shurtleff Should Return $26,400 In Campaign Contributions

SALT LAKE CITY – With campaign finance reports revealing that EnergySolutions is one of Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's largest campaign contributors, Shurtleff's opponent today questioned whether Utahns can be confident that Shurtleff will vigorously defend them against EnergySolutions' controversial plan to dump Italian nuclear waste in Tooele County.

"If we are going to avoid becoming the world's nuclear dumping ground, Utah needs the strongest legal representation," said Jean Welch Hill, the Democratic nominee for Utah Attorney General. "With $26,400 of EnergySolutions' money invested in his campaign, it is not clear that Mark Shurtleff can provide the kind of independent leadership in court that Utah needs."

EnergySolutions filed suit on Monday against the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, of which Utah is a part. The Compact meets on Thursday to consider whether to approve EnergySolutions' plan to import radioactive waste from Italy for disposal at the company's Tooele facility. Gov. John Huntsman, Jr. has indicated that Utah will vote to block the waste. EnergySolutions questions the Compact's authority over its operations.

Campaign disclosures reveal that Mr. Shurtleff has received $26,400 in contributions from EnergySolutions and its corporate predecessor, Envirocare. Hill said that these contributions pose serious ethical concerns.

"Every law student knows that attorneys should avoid representing a client if the lawyer's personal interests, including financial interests, might affect his representation," Hill said. "At the very least, Shurtleff's huge campaign contributions from EnergySolutions create the appearance of a conflict of interest, with Mr. Shurtleff's important campaign donor on one side, and the citizens of Utah on the other."

"Conflict between EnergySolutions and the State is inevitable," Hill said. "Mr. Shurtleff never should have taken EnergySolutions' money, and at a minimum, he should return it now."

Out of Context (Salt Lake Tribune): And where's your flag lapel pin?

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:27:33 +0000

I recently blogged about a history of Republican loyalty tests in Utah, recounting the infamous purge of local Salt Lake County party leaders a few years back because they had (gasp!) endorsed a Democrat. In contrast to that, I pointed to the Summit County Democratic Convention, where a candidate (Chris Robinson) who had donated thousands of dollars to Republicans was nevertheless overwhelmingly

Utah Senate: Internet Safety Podcast

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:04:26 +0000

Dr. Charles Knutson spoke with Senate President John Valentine about internet safety, legislation, the will of the majority vs. the protection of the minority, spyware, mobile technology, etc.

Listen in here.

Utah Amicus: Guess what day it is kids?

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:02:00 +0000

It's Utah State Democratic Chair Wayne Holland's, "I'm older than dirt" day!

That's right, the big five-0!

Halfway dead!

Black Tuesday!

More to come...

Utah Senate: Time to get serious

Tue, 06 May 2008 05:29:01 +0000

By Lyle Hillyard

Utah State Senator, District 25

It is time to get serious about the garden.

This has really been a strange spring. We really received a lot of snow in Cache Valley this past winter and it has taken longer than usual for it to melt. It seems like every day that it has been warm and dry enough to work in the garden in the evening, I have had another commitment. I have gotten the raspberries mostly caned and my brother in law (freshly returned from a mission in Scotland) and gotten a few rows of potatoes planted. With the State Republican Convention slated for this Saturday, I will miss the normal Mother’s Day weekend where I have really gotten most of the garden planted. With the food prices going crazy, gardening this year may be more than just a hobby but a budget-conscious behavior.

At least this time of the year, I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes when it gets dark. I have learned that you don’t plant corn until it turns 70 degrees but that may only be for two days sometime next week so I had better be ready. It is my plan to have the raspberries fully weeded, caned and fertilized, the first crop of corn, peas and another few rows of potatoes planted. I will have to let the bananas and rice and grapes wait until at least Memorial Day.

SLC Spin: Legalize Polygamy

Tue, 06 May 2008 04:51:43 +0000

There…

I said it.

Maybe it’s time.