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Feb 9, 2007 Legislature approves vouchers Today the Utah Legislature passed what is being called "the nations most expansive school voucher program." Democratic Senator Gene Davis, responding to the passage of the bill in the Salt Lake Tribune, states "This is not about the children. We've got it covered up real nice making it seem... Utah Democratic Party more
Feb 6, 2007 Presidential candidates speak to DNC members Last week, Democratic presidential hopefuls spoke to members of the Democratic National Committee, including Utah DNC members Chairman Wayne Holland, former Senator Karen Hale, and Helen Langan. To view any or all of the video's of the Democratic candidates' speeches, just click here. Utah Democratic Party more...
Jan 17, 2007 Matheson Op/Ed - Hold the government accountable Confronting the government's efforts to design, develop, and-I believe-ultimately test new nuclear weapons, has been my primary mission as Utah's representative. I voted against funding for the nuclear Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator or "bunker-buster" as well as for test site readiness.
I... The Spectrum more...
Jan 14, 2007 Rolly: Blowing Democrats off the map But if you look at voting patterns statewide, Democrats get about 43 percent of the vote. So if the Legislature reflected the political makeup of the public it serves, there would be 32 Democrats to 43 Republicans in the House and 12 Democrats to 17 Republicans in the Senate. Salt Lake Tribune more...
Jan 14, 2007 Poll shows Utahns, Legislature priorities don't match up It's a perennial disconnect between public opinion and lawmakers. Polls of voter sentiment often outline a very different set of priorities from lawmakers' to-do list. So politicians typically dismiss public opinion surveys, insisting they know best what their constituents want. At the same time,... The Salt Lake Tribune more...
Jan 13, 2007 Nearly 11% of Utahns in poverty, study finds While Congress awaits Senate action on a minimum-wage hike from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour, a new report says that 10.9 percent of Utahns and one Utah child in 10 live in poverty.
Reps. Chris Cannon and Rob Bishop, both R-Utah, voted last Wednesday against the successful bill in the... Deseret Morning News more...

Jan 8, 2007 Deseret Morning News editorial Reform is called for, but legislators shy from it. That might actually mean coming up with ideas and laws that deal with the situation as it is instead of presenting a Fantasyland alternative. It's easier to dog the boys and girls with schoolbooks beneath their arms than it is to rethink the issue.     Deseret Morning News        more...

Jan 7, 2007 Gastric surgery: Bill would mandate that insurance pay "Our state laws have not defined morbid obesity as a medical disease," Mascaro said. "Medicare covers gastric bypass procedures in certain situations. People are having a devil of a time getting surgery that their doctors say will cure morbid obesity."     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Jan 3, 2007 New team takes reins in Salt Lake County "I want them to know the Salt Lake County sheriff wants to be a full partner with them in the future," Winder said. Although the idea of creating the agency doesn't sit well with him, he said, "I'm going to continue to push all options."     Deseret Morning News        more

Jan 2, 2007 Yocom: The prosecution rests - District attorney retires David Yocom built a reputation as a scrapper who hates to lose a fight - whether in the courtroom or the political arena.
Yocom prosecuted nearly 300 cases, 17 of them murders, during the 1970s. They included a kidnapping conviction for Ted Bundy and a murder conviction for polygamist...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jan 1, 2007 U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 3,000 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The day after Saddam Hussein's execution, the death toll for Americans killed in the Iraq war reached 3,000 as President Bush struggles to salvage a military campaign that has scant public support.
The death of a Texas soldier, announced Sunday by the Pentagon, comes as...     Associated Press        more...

Dec 24, 2006 Utah risks loosing its best teachers Consider that a Utah teacher with a master's degree and 14 years experience could leave Utah, start at year one on the pay scale in Wyoming and make more money, and the severity of the situation becomes apparent.
The second report that caught my attention was the recent budget request...     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Dec 12, 2006 Basic-wage hike stalled? - After yearlong study, governor's panel fails to reach a consensus Undeterred, state lawmakers Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City, and Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, are moving ahead with bills to raise Utah's rate above the current $5.15 an hour.
"I don't know why we should shove our problems off on the feds if there's something we can do about it," said...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Dec 9, 2006 GOP insider Cannon to lead Morning News Democrats were quick to jump on the announcement. Utah Democratic Party Communications Director Jeff Bell said having Cannon in control of the Deseret Morning News' coverage "makes me very, very nervous. I couldn't figure out how their bias would get any more blatant in how they cover 85 percent...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Dec 9, 2006 Reactions to Cannon appointment "We're frankly shocked. You can't find a more partisan appointment for the slot. It's mind-blowing. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but we're worried. There's a definite conflict-of-interest problem." � Jeff Bell, Utah Democratic Party communications director     Deseret Morning News        more...

Dec 8, 2006 Nonpartisan redistricting panel unlikely Apparently Urquhart never read Animal Farm, where pigs ran the show � to paraphrase: All legislators are created equal, but some are more equal than others.
This observer will continue watching and commenting (Urquhart terms it "whining") on the Utah Legislature.
Anyone care...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Dec 8, 2006 Fiscal-note abuse costs 'real money' Fiscal notes are estimates made by economists and analysts of the impacts of new legislation. Over the past two years, tax commissioners have developed end runs around the fiscal note process to get zero-dollar fiscal notes for legislation that really costs the state millions of dollars per year....     Deseret Morning News        more...

Dec 8, 2006 Cannon ordered to pay $12,000 WASHINGTON - A Utah judge ordered Rep. Chris Cannon on Thursday to pay more than $12,000 to a former staffer who claimed Cannon defamed her by discussing a settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed years earlier.     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Dec 3, 2006 Dan Jones honored for his teaching "We honored him for his more than four decades as a teacher of political science, journalism and generally teaching in the area of political engagement," said Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine M. Durham.     Deseret News        more...

Dec 1, 2006 Politics as (Un)Usual: Blue Utah? State Senator Scott McCoy, who heartily endorsed Dean�s strategy, agreed that for Democrats to regularly win elections they cannot ignore the heartland anymore. �I think that if we are to regain majorities and begin to govern, that we have to be prepared to do that everywhere, not just in certain...     Catalyst Magazine        more...

Nov 27, 2006 4th-seat process infuriates DemoCRATs - Review: Minority party wants to see a special commission do Utah's redistricting Not surprisingly, minority Democrats like the idea. State Democratic Party Director Todd Taylor says he would rather boycott redistricting than give an air of bipartisan legitimacy to Republican lawmakers' efforts.
"The system is so entirely and totally corrupt. We have reached an...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Nov 27, 2006 Utah Republicans still rule, but state Democrats could one day trim GOP power. The Democrats, conversely, are becoming more and more the model of discipline. New Chairman Wayne Holland has tempered ideological divides within the party in the name of winning elections.     City Weekly        more...

Nov 22, 2006 Democrat elected S.L. County auditor The Democrats captured another elected position in Salt Lake County government, adding the county auditor post.
Democrat Jeff Hatch was down 344 votes on election night but catapulted to a 1,235 vote lead after absentee, provisional and paper ballots were officially added to the...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Nov 22, 2006 Recounts on in 2 races - Curtis, Walker each won his seat by less than 20 votes While Democrats likely missed a golden opportunity to take out one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, the minority party in the Legislature did keep another one of its incumbents when Rep. Carl Duckworth, D-Magna, defeated challenger Deena Ely. Duckworth had trailed by 25 votes before...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Nov 22, 2006 Johnson insists she'll be voice for Snyderville Basin on education and transportation "I feel sorry for [Buttars] that he is so hateful His obsessive hatred for members of the gay community is suspicious," said Christine Johnson, a lesbian who was elected to serve parts of the Snyderville Basin and Salt Lake City in Utah's House of Representatives. "I think Chris Buttars sort of...     The Park Record        more...

Nov 22, 2006 Fourth-district debate: Panel endorses three redistricting options, bars the proposal pitched by Democrats from the short list "I'm frustrated. It's the same old thing," said Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, who walked out of the meeting immediately after Republicans rejected her party's plan as unworthy of public input. "They always say they want input from the Democrats. Why have Democrats on the committee if...     Tribune        more...

Nov 21, 2006 53% of evangelicals say they wouldn't consider it, bad news for likely '08 hopeful Mitt Romney WASHINGTON - About 43 percent of Americans wouldn't even consider voting for a Mormon for president, according to a new poll that shows an increase from previous surveys in the number of voters unwilling to support an LDS candidate for the White House.     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Nov 20, 2006 Bait 'n' switch?: Legislators should keep Prop 3 promise to voters So, if the Utah Legislature were to delay or otherwise manipulate the process of deciding which transit projects come first -- or to slight mass transit in favor of road-building -- it would be the mother of all bait-and-switch scams, right?
*UT DEMS NOTE: This is the Republican...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Nov 19, 2006 Reid leads Mormons into D.C. mainstream "He doesn't even drink soda. I'm sure it was orange juice" Reid sipped during the presidential chat, joked Tessa Hafen, Reid's former spokeswoman. It's a small but important detail to note for Reid, who was elected last week to lead the Senate when Democrats take over in January. He'll...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Nov 8, 2006 GOP still rules, but speaker sweats Both parties focused most of their time and money on contested Salt Lake County races. But a new, more aggressive Republican strategy did not help conservative candidates much - particularly on the east side. Democrats Ross Romero, Carol Spackman Moss, Karen Morgan, Roz McGee and Pat Jones all...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Nov 8, 2006 Rolly: Wacky bits as elections drew near Numerous state employees complained Tuesday that they received automatic voice messages for the Lohra Miller for District Attorney campaign on their state telephones - government property. And the messages were from the one guy who should know about improper use of government property: Utah...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Nov 8, 2006 Demo takeover will impact Utah delegation

Matheson credits moderate Democrats, known as the Blue Dogs, with the takeover and points out that is it not just going to be Pelosi, a more liberal Democrat, leading the House, but all levels of Democrats....     Deseret Morning News        more...

Nov 8, 2006 Winder pulls off an upset to pin on sheriff's badge Jim Winder - a career cop who wielded energy during a gritty campaign, lobbed a golf shot at his opponent and banked on his golden dairy-farmer name - toppled four-term Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard on Tuesday.     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Nov 8, 2006 Matheson wins re-election to House by wide margin Matheson was also happy to learn that control in the U.S. House of Representatives had shifted to favor the Democrats as a result of the national election. During an interview with The Spectrum & Daily News, he credited the Blue Dog Coalition for the victory. "They're conservative Democrats...     The Spectrum        more...

Nov 8, 2006 Rumsfeld resigns as secretary of defense WASHINGTON � Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, unable to fulfill U.S. goals in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during his tenure, is stepping down, President George W. Bush said today.     The Salt Lake Tribune wire services        more...

Nov 8, 2006 ROLLY: The Press Being Pawns The background: Salt Lake County Republican Chairman James Evans shopped carefully edited clips of Democratic Sheriff's candidate Jim Winder taped training seminar to the news media on Sunday, two days before the election. The four minutes of clips out of several hours of taping, shows Winder...     The Salt Lake Tribune Blogs - GenRolly Speaking        more...

Nov 5, 2006 Frank Schaeffer: I should be supporting Allen. Instead, I'm leaving the party. I'm a Christian, a writer, a military parent and a registered Republican. On all those counts, I was disgusted by an e-mail I just received that's being circulated by campaign supporters of Republican George Allen, who's trying to retain his Senate seat in Virginia.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Nov 1, 2006 Ashdown to Speak at Challengers Forum Thursday WHY: Though the incumbents lack the courage to defend their positions at every opportunity, the challengers relish the privilege of being able to communicate with their potential voters. With the incumbent advantage fully in place during this election, Ashdown is grateful to KCPW for being...     ASHDOWN        more...

Oct 31, 2006 Election '06: It's campaign crunchtime and niceties are scarce "He's trying to tar Matheson with a broad-brush allegation that is not accurate," said Matheson spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend. "He's trying to shoehorn Matheson into something that doesn't fit Matheson or his record.
"You have to find out what his definition of 'positive' was," she...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 31, 2006 3rd Congressional District: Dem challenger counting on the 'X-Factor' Cannon said in interviews that House pages are "precocious" and "worldly" and may have led on disgraced Rep. Mark Foley as a prank. He supports House Speaker Dennis Hastert's refusal to resign over the issue.
Democratic Party spokesman Jeff Bell said Cannon's attitude is the equivalent of...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 31, 2006 Democrats: Lukewarm GOP response for official meet-the-candidates nights Lack of formal debates among Davis candidates the week before elections isn�t from a lack of trying, say Democratic leaders who have had invitations declined by GOP candidates.
Democratic candidate Rob Miller, seeking the County Commission �A� seat, said he challenged his Republican...     Standard-Examiner        more...

Oct 28, 2006 Demo says he represents values abandoned by GOP Sugar beet ethic
Although Olsen's philosophies have evolved over the years, he credits growing up just south of Logan for his core beliefs. Although he had a good relationship with his father, he points to his grandfather, Lee, as the "real father figure" who instilled a strong work...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 27, 2006 Tribune Editorial - Burridge in Dist. 3: Replace Cannon with a vigorous Utah Democrat At 31, he would be one of the youngest members of Congress, but as he rightly points out, that would be appropriate in a district with one of the youngest populations in the nation. The Tribune's Editorial Board believes that 3rd District voters would be better served by a young man who would be...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 23, 2006 Winder for sheriff Winder, a Salt Lake County deputy with the rank of sergeant and 20 years experience in the department, can't match Kennard's 19 years with the Salt Lake City Police Department, 16 years as sheriff, his bachelor's and master's degree and professional training. But, at 43, Winder is 20 years...     SL Tribune Editorial        more...

Oct 19, 2006 County District 3: Turner's law-enforcement background tips scale Diane Turner, the Democratic candidate for the County Council from District 3, would give the council valuable expertise as it weighs those decisions. Her extensive background as a probation and parole officer for the state, as director of a successful juvenile sex-offender program at Decker Lake...     Tribune Editorial        more...

Oct 19, 2006 Gill for D.A.: Salt Lake City prosecutor brings policy vision to the job We, the Editorial Board of The Salt Lake Tribune, submit that in our judgment, Sim Gill is that candidate.
Mr. Gill, as you have heard, is chief prosecutor for Salt Lake City, where he has served for six years. But he also is a veteran of the D.A.'s office, where he prosecuted arson fraud...     Tribune Editorial        more...

Oct 19, 2006 Sheriff blames tight budget for slow response "Frankly, this is another example of how out of touch Sheriff Kennard is with the day-to-day work of his office, and the result is that public safety in Salt Lake County is being compromised." Winder, who has scheduled a news briefing on the issue for 10 a.m. today at the County Government...     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Oct 18, 2006 Ford in the 11th: New blood needed to replace Stephenson The voters of the 11th District would be doing themselves, and the entire state of Utah, a favor if they would elect Ford and end Stephenson's 14-year run of supporting a government that is far too comfortable operating behind closed doors and doing the bidding of big-spending special interests.     Tribune Editorial        more...

Oct 18, 2006 Newcomers are ready to make an impact "It's appropriate that they be the ones to finish what they started," Miller says. "I've looked at the issues. At this point, the need is there. I may support this tax increase publicly, but I would not vote for it because I've told the voters I would not raise taxes if they elect me."
...     The Salt Lake Tribune.        more...

Oct 18, 2006 Drawing the Line - The story on Utah�s fourthcongressional seat. Political circles have been most surprised, however, by Matheson�s reluctance to comment on the proposed �Democrat-safe� 2nd District or the turn the process has taken. �Rep. Matheson supported the original [statewide seat] legislation. It was Chairman Sensenbrenner and congressional Republicans...     Salt Lake City Weekly        more...

Oct 17, 2006 District 2 looks like Matheson cakewalk Matheson's electorial success is galling to Republicans, especially because the 2nd District normally votes Republican. Cook lists the district as 17 points plus Republican, yet puts Matheson in with nine other Democratic-held seats that will likely go Democratic on Nov. 7.     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 17, 2006 Bishop, Olsen tout credentials at debate While Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, simply reminded the crowd of approximately 25 of his well-known conservative credentials, Democrat Steve Olsen attempted to cast himself as a nonpartisan, problem-solving moderate who would not walk lockstep with national Democrats.
"Congress, including...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 17, 2006 Ashdown far from spending limit There are several debates scheduled in the U.S. Senate race. The next is 7 p.m. Wednesday on KTVX Channel 4. Ashdown has one of the most Internet-savvy Web sites around. You can find Ashdown's debate schedule there; you can even watch previous debates at www.peteashdown.org.     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 17, 2006 Congress is in desperate need of new blood I've heard frequently that if we don't keep our incumbents who have senior status, Utah won't have any substantial representation. But it is those same incumbents, regardless of their good intentions, who are the cause of the problem - corruption, stagnation and cowing to presidential command. If...     The Spectrum.        more...

Oct 17, 2006 Mullen: Prop. 3 needs a close look Conveniently, Valentine failed to mention in his public relations stumping that he faces a substantial challenge from Taylorsville Republican Michael Waddoups for the senate president seat. He knows that putting his name behind a list of transit projects will favor some senate districts over...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Oct 17, 2006 Where they differ? Responding to a question from the audience regarding illegal immigration, Bishop said the United States' borders must first be secured before steps can be taken to address hiring practices involving undocumented workers.
However, Olsen said the ability of undocumented workers to obtain...     Standard-Examiner        more...

Oct 16, 2006 Pat Jones belongs in the Utah Senate Jones, by virtually any measure, would be the best replacement for Arent in District 4. She will serve the voters and the Senate with her hefty policy portfolio and bipartisan approach to solving problems.     Tribune Editorial        more...

Oct 14, 2006 Nearly half of Utahns say that Hastert should resign Half of all Utahns along the Wasatch Front think current U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert should resign his leadership post over the sex scandal involving a former GOP representative and congressional pages.
"I think the whole idea (of calling for his resignation) is pathetic. We...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 13, 2006 Poor choice of words, Mr. Cannon And then when a serious scandal breaks, they blame the victims. They blame the opposing party for "leaking" the information to the media near an election. They blame everyone except those whose public trust is to watch over these youngsters and protect them.
Leaders don't stand up,...     Bob Bernick Jr. - Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 13, 2006 Matheson acts on fallout study The more scientists look into the effects of fallout from nuclear weapons tests, the more damage they discover, says Rep. Jim Matheson.
The Utah Democrat was responding to a study by the University of Utah researcher Dr. Joseph Lyon and colleagues, which was reported in Wednesday's...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Oct 13, 2006 Rolly: Campaign follies in full swing The letter neglected to mention that the bill in question was sponsored by then-Republican Rep. Mike Styler and backed by Republican Speaker of the House Greg Curtis.
Thackeray, Garwood, Bagley, Ely and Clifford are strongly supported by the pro-school voucher group, Parents for Choice...     Paul Rolly - Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Oct 13, 2006 'No Excuses!' rally urges more fiscal support for Utah public education The state's largest teacher's union couldn't have a better spokesperson. As the group launched its second year of the "No Excuses! Invest in Public Schools" campaign Thursday, Noah's parents were among thousands of teachers attending the two-day annual UEA conference at the Salt Palace Convention...     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Oct 13, 2006 The plague of child predators The only defense is for parents to be actively engaged in their child's online activities, to strongly forbid them from using chat rooms, and to keep any Internet-connected home computers in clear sight and in parts of the home that receive frequent traffic. Perhaps the most frightening part of...     Deseret Morning News editorial        more...

Oct 12, 2006 Salt Lake DA hopefuls call each other green "Who is going to run that office? Somebody with experience in that office, somebody with felony experience? Or somebody who is hoping to learn on the job?'' Gill said during a recent interview. Gill likened Miller to a foot doctor who yearns to perform heart surgery.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 12, 2006 Police, fire unions back challenger Winder's bid Jim Winder has a rallying cry: that Sheriff Aaron Kennard is more politician than policeman and out of touch with the rank and file.
Now, deputies and firefighters from Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City have joined the chorus.
    Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 12, 2006 �Precocious� Cannon - Rep. Chris Cannon puts Rep. Mark Foley�s foot in his mouth But as we all know by now, Cannon didn�t do any of this. Instead he wanted to talk about today�s �precocious� congressional pages and about how they seemed to be �egging� Rep. Foley �on.� �These kids are actually precocious kids,� Cannon told KSL. �It looks like uh, maybe this one e-mail is a...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Oct 12, 2006 Candidates debate N. Korea, health care and land-use issues Ashdown, the owner of Salt Lake City-based Internet-service-provider XMission, fears the bill was crafted without adequate public input. He accused Bennett - along with other elected politicians in Washington County - of crafting the legislation behind closed doors.
�When will these...     SL Trib        more...

Oct 12, 2006 Transit tax could be in peril - Lack of specific info on spending for projects could turn off voters But the main reason Executive Appropriations won't take up the matter during its Tuesday meeting: House Speaker Greg Curtis will be in China on a trade mission with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.
Besides, the Legislature's intent was to avoid politicizing transportation priorities, Valentine...     SL Trib        more...

Oct 11, 2006 Romero in Senate 7: Energetic lawmaker is a better choice Romero pledges to speak truth to that unresponsive power, and not just for the interests of Salt Lake City. His program is to build public education, for its own sake and as an engine of economic development, open up government and help assimilate the state's growing minority population.
...     Salt Lake Tribune Endorsement        more...

Oct 11, 2006 McCain is dead wrong about Bill Clinton and North Korea. In the spring of 1994, barely a year into Bill Clinton's presidency, the North Koreans announced that they were about to remove the fuel rods from their nuclear reactor (as a first step to reprocessing them into plutonium), cancel their commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (which they had...     Slate        more...

Oct 11, 2006 Lohra Who? - Some donors to the GOP candidate for district attorney have buyer�s remorse. Of Miller, the employee said: �I had no idea who she was, really, truly never heard her name before.� But, like 17 colleagues, the employee gave Miller $2,000, the maximum legal contribution. �I have a family to take care of, and I don�t want to lose my job,� the employee explained.     City Weekly        more...

Oct 8, 2006 Mullen: Blame creeps in Congress Utah's 3rd District Republican congressman's comments last week regarding the congressional page scandal are outrageous. He hass now had the luxury of several spin cycles in the news media, but it still comes down to this: Cannon said what he meant, and he meant what he said.
He should be...     Salt Lake Tribune - Mullen        more...

Oct 6, 2006 Cannon: "Precocious" Pages Egged on Foley in Online Sex Scandal In the interview aired Thursday night, Cannon told the Nightside Project that Congressman Foley should not bear all of the blame for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to House pages. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah: "Frankly, this is the responsibility of the parents. If you get online...     KSL        more...

Oct 6, 2006 Cannon: Teens "egging on" Foley in online sex scandal State Democratic Party spokesman Jeff Bell posted on his blog that Republicans have been trying to blame Democrats for making the scandal political. "Fine. Do it. I don't care," Bell wrote. "And, you want to know why? Because one of Utah's politicians said the most disgusting, irresponsible...     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Oct 5, 2006 Springer in Dist. 42: Of two neophytes, Democrat better prepared Residents of House District 42 will have a novice politician as their representative next year, whether they choose Jim Bird or Norm Springer. Neither has held elected office before. Perhaps due to inexperience, neither Bird, a Republican, nor Springer, a recently converted Democrat, has a...     SL Tribune ENDORSMENT        more...

Oct 5, 2006 Shoot one foot, then another
Residents of Ogden, understand this: Your City Council has voted to keep you on the outside. Instead of simply taking the applications of those who wanted to be appointed to a vacant council seat and blacking-out...     Standard-Examiner Editorial        more...

Oct 1, 2006 Republican Stowell strikes out on campaign trail They visited with Democrats Emily Bingham Hollingshead and Larry Daniel. They talked to Ryan Bundy, Allison Howes, Sharla Christie and Woodard Westfall of the Constitution Party. They chatted with Republicans Bud Bowman and Dennis Stowell.
When Stowell bothered to show up, that is....     The Spectrum Editorial        more...

Sep 28, 2006 Shadow of Mansell hovers over state Senate race for District 9 "It concerns me when somebody is putting $85,000 of their own money to get a job that pays $10,000 a year. Is there something else they have in mind?" Beck asks.
"I'm sure he's very concerned about development and real estate," Beck adds. "But there are so many people up [on Capitol...     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Sep 28, 2006 Candidates make stop at SUU for voter registration drive "It kills me that so many students are apathetic, yet the decisions we make now, especially at the state level, will impact them more than they'll impact me," said Emily Bingham Hollingshead, the Democratic candidate for state Senate District 28. "Now is the time (to get involved). You need to...     The Spectrum        more...

Sep 28, 2006 Orrin Hatch, Software Pirate? But Hatch himself is using unlicensed software on his official website, which presumably would qualify his computer to be smoked by the system he proposes.
The senator's site makes extensive use of a JavaScript menu system developed by Milonic Solutions, a software company based in the...     Wired        more...

Sep 24, 2006 Mullen: Arrogant politicians are a disgrace Examples? Look at the decline of competitive legislative districts and the shameless gerrymandering by both parties. House campaigns have long been one endless election cycle, fed by non-stop fundraising.
"The growth and linkage of Congress with the lobbying community is shocking," Mann...     Salt Lake Tribune - Holly Mullen        more...

Sep 22, 2006 Even Republicans back Miller for commission �I will be a watchdog for the taxpayers of Davis County. I know that someone in that role can go too far. I promise that I won�t be a scandal monger. I won�t be a junkyard dog that barks at everything. Working as a bi-partisan pragmatist will give Davis County government the diversity and true...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Sep 21, 2006 Tribune Editorial - No help for schools No help for schools: Huntsman's dream may still turn ugly
Tribune Editorial
Pretend - and it will take all of your childlike capacity for belief to pull that off - that the income tax cut approved by the Utah Legislature Tuesday really will result in more money being raised for the...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Sep 20, 2006 Democrat Burridge appealing to John Jacob supporters Second, the self-described devout Republican said he found in Burridge a conservative, bipartisan, religious "Mathesonian Democrat," while in Cannon he perceived a Republican who had abandoned the ideals of the party. "He might be a Democrat in name, but he is reaching across party lines to...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Sep 17, 2006 Utah minimum-wage hike? 2 lawmakers hope to follow other states' increases in pay "There is a great movement going on, a massive movement going on, throughout the country to increase the wages for those who are on the lower end of the scale," said Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City, who plans to introduce a bill in the 2007 Legislature that would raise Utah's rate to $7 an...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Sep 8, 2006 Senate: No Prewar Saddam-al-Qaida Ties WASHINGTON (AP) -- There's no evidence Saddam Hussein had ties with al-Qaida, according to a Senate report on prewar intelligence that Democrats say undercuts President Bush's justification for invading Iraq.

Bush administration officials have insisted on a link between the Iraqi...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Aug 30, 2006 Ashdown raises money for poor The dinner, which Ashdown paid for out of his own pocket, was a stark contrast to Thursday's luncheon being hosted by his opponent, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. For the Hatch luncheon, which will feature a speech by President Bush at the Grand America, about 200 people will shell out $500 apiece,...     Deseret Morning News - Josh Loftin        more...

Aug 30, 2006 Patriot Guard promises to block veteran funeral protest Under the headline "thank God for IEDs," a Web posting by the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., promises a protest today at the funeral of Adam Galvez. The group says God is punishing American troops for the United States' tolerance of homosexuality.
A "Patriot Guard" group of...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Aug 30, 2006 Soldiers die, CEOs prosper As soldiers have died in displaying personal patriotism, the pay gap between soldiers and defense CEOs has exploded. Before 9/11, the gap between CEOs of publicly traded companies and army privates was already a galling 190 to 1. Today, it is 308 to 1. The average army private makes $25,000 a...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Aug 26, 2006 Democrat running for Congress sets tone - Steve Olsen OGDEN -- Steve Olsen, a Democrat from Plain City, says he doesn't have a campaign war chest to match Republican opponent U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop but has conservative values that are...     Standard-Examiner        more...

Aug 20, 2006 Blue man in a red state: Who is Christian Burridge? "I'm part of a movement to build Democratic candidates in red states," Burridge said. "If our party is really going to fight back against this huge, powerful conservative Republican...     Daily Herald        more

Aug 17, 2006 Rep. Christopher Cannon - Lawmaker helped brother's lobby clients Three times this year, a lobbyist sought help from Rep. Christopher Cannon for his clients and got it. The lobbyist was the congressman's brother, Joseph Cannon.

The Utah lawmaker acknowledges helping his brother's...     TED BRIDIS - Associated Press        more...

Aug 14, 2006 Where was Peter? Where was Peter?

As was noted in Sunday's Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon was a no-show for Saturday's star-studded groundbreaking for the Real Salt Lake stadium in Sandy. But it's not like he missed anything.

For one thing, he did make it to that...     The Salt Lake Tribune's editorial blog        more...

Aug 14, 2006 GOP plays the angry outsider, all while being firmly in control ''President Bush operates in Washington like the head of a small occupying army of insurgents,'' the pundit Fred Barnes writes in his recent book, Rebel-in-Chief. ''He's an alien in the realm of the governing class, given a green card by voters.''

Let's see: These insurgents today...     Thomas Frank - Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Aug 7, 2006 Utah's veterans policies unfavorable Every couple of weeks, we get together with a fellow veteran to assist him in his battle for Veterans Administration benefits. He is a friend, a fellow Irishman and a fellow veteran. Our conversation lately has been why Utah's political...     The Spectrum        more...

Aug 6, 2006 Deseret News Editorial - Utahns should reject Bush's partisan politics My Utah neighbors are caring, compassionate people. They give more to charity than people in any other state or nation. They volunteer freely when help is needed. But this administration has little compassion � conservative or otherwise � for the needy, for hungry children, for college students...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Aug 1, 2006 60 Years Ago, Vets Took Up Arms in Tenn. On the 60th anniversary of the uprising, Powers and others who can recall the 1946 violence shake their head as state election officials predict only about 35 percent of voters will cast ballots in Thursday's primaries in Tennessee."The lesson is that people ought to take voting a whole lot more...     AP Wire        more...

Jul 28, 2006 Ashdown's site open to suggestions On the Iraq war, Ashdown says he at first thought he and other Americans had to back U.S. troops no matter what and be in the war for the long haul. But "an unknown American" wrote on his site that through the democratic process U.S. troops should leave when Iraqi citizens vote to tell...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Jul 27, 2006 Jim Winder says Sheriff Aaron Kennard politicizes policing. Nonetheless, Kennard claims victory in the defeat of his own initiative, saying his contract-cities finally realized what he�d been telling them all along: The UPD will not be cheaper. �I was so pleasantly surprised that all of them, including the mayors, agreed after they�d looked at the budgets...     City Weekly � July 27, 2006        more...

Jul 23, 2006 Many GOP voters support Matheson U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson has turned many 2nd Congressional District Republicans into political schizophrenics, a new poll shows.

Matheson, a Democrat in a heavily Republican district, holds an overwhelming 64-23 percent lead over his GOP challenger, state Rep. LaVar Christensen, a new...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 19, 2006 Dean's List - The Democratic chair plans to fight in every one of the 50 states. A rep named Jay Parmley approaches an oversize easel and flips to a page showing John Kerry's share of the 2004 presidential vote here in Hancock County. "28%" is scrawled in magic marker. "Kind of scary," Parmley says.
But he flips the page to show former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's...     U.S. News & World Report        more...

Jul 18, 2006 Davis Democratic Party opening headquarters
The...     Davis County Clipper        more...

Jul 17, 2006 Standard Examiner Editorial - Hatch: Privilege has its perks. We wonder, just out of curiosity: How many people busted for possession of 1.26 grams or less of cocaine in Utah have had Orrin Hatch make a prison-excusing phone call for them? (Can you hear the crickets chirping, too, or is it just us?)
It's good to be connected to a guy like Hatch, who...     Ogden Standard Examiner        more...

Jul 13, 2006 Richard Watson seeks seat in Utah House Watson feels it�s necessary to �hold government accountable with a check on government secrecy and any conflicts of interest that are weakening today�s government,� while also saying lobbyists need to be kept in check while assuring county residents they are the �special interest� group.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 12, 2006 Tribune Editorial - Misuse of power: Sen. Hatch had no business helping music producer Hatch's misplaced concern was put in accurate perspective by his Democratic opponent in this year's senatorial race, Pete Ashdown. He pointed out the irony of Hatch interceding for a man who admitted breaking the drug laws of another country but doing nothing to help an Indian national and his...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 12, 2006 Daily Herald Editorial - Whose fight is it anyway? In the days building up to Utah's primary election, voters in the 3rd Congressional District were bombarded by campaign calls seeking to drum up the vote for U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon. While pleas from Cannon and his wife are understandable, the calls also included President Bush and First Lady...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 12, 2006 Ivins: Republicans feed politics of greed while poor go hungry I don't get it. What's the percentage in keeping the minimum wage at $5.15 an hour? After nine years? This is such an unnecessary and nasty Republican move. Congress has voted seven times to raise its own wages since last the minimum wage budged. Of course, Congress always raises its own salary...     Fort Worth Star-Telegram        more...

Jul 9, 2006 Rolly: Rampton got bi-partisan support for the good of the state Specifically, three key Republicans in the Senate worked with the Democratic governor for the good of the state, setting politics, ideologies and personal ambitions aside.
If you were born after 1980 in Utah, that concept is probably so foreign to you your first instinct would be to...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 9, 2006 U.S. reaps what the Army sows Thirty years later, Mr. Rumsfeld refuses to discuss the Tiger Force case. Mr. Cheney declines to discuss much of anything. Mr. Schlesinger conducted one of the see-no-evil investigations at Abu Ghraib. The senior leadership of the Army and the nation prefers to characterize war crimes as the work...     SL Trib        more...

Jul 9, 2006 Tribune Editorial - Paper trail: Lieutenant governor dropped the ball on election recounts Letting each county clerk decide how to proceed does not jibe with HAVA's requirement for statewide uniform standards of what constitutes a vote. Under Utah law, the paper ballot, meaning the audit tape, may be the official ballot     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 9, 2006 Rep. Jackie Biskupski - Protect natural resources Utah is a growing state with a variety of natural resources. My urban constituency and our rural citizens need to work together to keep this great state diverse and protected for current and future uses.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 8, 2006 Sen Orrin Hatch = Cocaine? No big deal! - That's What Friends in High Places Are For Dallas Austin, 35, who has produced hits for Madonna, Janet Jackson and others, flew home to Atlanta on Wednesday, after being released after midnight on Tuesday from a holding cell in a Dubai jail. Hours earlier Mr. Austin had been sentenced to four years in prison for carrying just...     New York Times        more...

Jul 7, 2006 Sen. Orrin Hatch - A bit too obvious But we also know this was a cynical time-waster designed to place some Democrats on record as having opposed protection for our national symbol, or some such nonsense to be used in negative campaign advertising come autumn.
Hatch has offered his amendment to protect the flag so many times...     Utah Democratic Party        more

Jul 7, 2006 Cannon challengers look ahead to election The outlook isn't quite as dark for Burridge, although the road ahead is still daunting.
He's staked out conservative positions on social issues like abortion and gambling and has roots in the district, which will help, Monson said.
"It sounds like he's the right kind of Democrat to...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 6, 2006 Lt. Gov = Confusion clouds Utah vote recount "The Help America Vote Act requires that all states have uniform standards of what constitutes a vote,"
Hall said. "The state should be providing uniform standards - that is their job, and that is what HAVA is about. If counties get to choose how it is done, the state is very likely going...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jul 5, 2006 Eskelsen still sings for school reform Eskelsen still keeps an eye on Utah politics and weighs in on hot-button issues, such as debates over private-school vouchers.
"How can we take the meager funding we give public schools and share it with private schools?" she asks. "Who on what planet thinks this is a good idea?"
...     SL Trib        more...

Jul 4, 2006 James L. Humlicek - Democrat known as a man who always took the high road Funeral services are scheduled for Friday for James L. Humlicek, a former Democratic national committeeman from Utah who died at his Cottonwood Heights home Saturday of a heart ailment. He was 60. Humlicek served two terms as national committeeman and a member of the Democratic National...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Jul 3, 2006 Ashdown using Net in bid to foil Hatch Ashdown believes the Internet will reduce the built-in advantages that incumbents like Hatch now enjoy.
"What I hope is the Internet will negate the need for the amount of money that is spent marketing a candidate - that this campaign will demonstrate a way that other people can run for...     The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Jul 2, 2006 Corroon gets high marks in new poll ... Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon resonates with residents. And it may be buoyed by his stand on public funds for a Sandy soccer stadium.
"He's a man of works, not words," says Holladay resident Richard Grider. "He wants to do what the people want."     Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Jun 27, 2006 Senator chatises party for failing to understand power of faith At the same time, he said, "Secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering the public square."

As a result, "I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people and join a...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 26, 2006 Utah primaries much more than just GOP thing Democrats are thoughtful voters, and education, especially, is an important, substantive issue that motivates us to go to the polls. Over the last few years, education has topped the list of issues that a majority of Utahns worry is not being taken seriously by government. Year after year, voter...     Deseret Morning News        more...

Jun 26, 2006 Celebrate troops success In fact, forethought of what would await the Triple Deuce, mentally and emotionally, was also heavily considered with the unanimous passage of House Bill 407, Counseling for Families of Veterans. The mandate was spearheaded by two Iron County Democrats - Mark Hollingshead and Larry Daniel -...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 23, 2006 Poor decision by Senate GOP Conservatives are fond of saying they want government to run more like a private business, and with good reason. Businesses deliver what people want in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and they understand what is needed in order for commerce to flow optimally.     Deseret Morning News editorial        more...

Jun 23, 2006 Utahns like Huntsman, not Legislature Some lawmakers, moderate Republicans like Mascaro, and Democrats like Holladay Rep. Pat Jones, tried to separate themselves from their conservative colleagues. They bristle at polls that ask general questions about the Legislature as a whole.
"We hope the public understands there are some...     By Matt Canham - The Salt Lake Tribune        more...

Jun 22, 2006 Scenes from a war � On Friday night, three young U.S. soldiers -- a Latino kid and two small-town white kids -- were left to guard a vehicle checkpoint on a canal bridge in the heart of the Sunni-dominated "triangle of death" south of Baghdad. Seven masked insurgents surrounded them, killed one and took the other...     St. Louis Post-Dispatch        more...

Jun 21, 2006 Rahm nixes second term �We�re in the middle of our campaign to explain the 50-state strategy and answer questions about its purpose,� Dean told backers. He referred to a letter from Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland Jr. calling the approach the �future of our party here in Utah.�

��Win for...     The Hill        more...

Jun 20, 2006 Democrats Look to Keep Minimum Wage on Table The minority party fired the first shot last week, when the House Appropriations Committee broke with its Republican leadership and approved a $2.10-an-hour increase as part of a spending bill for labor, health and education programs. Speaker Dennis Hastert responded by putting the measure on...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 19, 2006 Utah GOP - A House in Violent Disarray He said he believes party leaders simply don't like him because he has often made accusations of rules violations and has run against party leaders like state party chairman Joe Cannon. The county party has a history of infighting, and Chamberlain is part of a group regularly at odds...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 18, 2006 Tribune Editorial - Temporary filling: Dental donations a bridge, not a solution But Wednesday's celebration was an inappropriately jolly affair, made downright distasteful by the extreme chutzpah displayed by House Speaker Greg Curtis and Senate President John Valentine, who had come to share the moment.
(Chutzpah: The ability to murder both of one's own parents...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 16, 2006 Party leaders cross-examined at Boys State debate During the debate, the teens asked for each party's stance on gay marriage.
Miller said, "In the Democratic party, there are those who believe that the most important value is we value each other."
    Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 14, 2006 House lawmakers accept $3,300 pay hike Like last year, Matheson led a quixotic drive to block the raise. He was the only member to speak on the topic. "I do not think that it is appropriate to let this bill go through without an up or down vote on whether or not Congress should have an increase in its own pay," Matheson said. ...     Pioneer Press - St. Paul        more...

Jun 14, 2006 Congress receives 2% pay raise "We continue to swim in a pool of red ink," Matheson said on the House floor Tuesday. "I don't think it's appropriate to have this . . . raise go through without an up or down vote."     Thomas Burr        more...

Jun 14, 2006 Matheson's effort to block raises is foiled "Here we are in a circumstance where we continue to swim in a lake of red ink," Matheson said, referring to the $8 trillion deficit and the House's approval of a $94 billion supplemental spending bill earlier on Tuesday.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 14, 2006 Remembering the Battle of Belleau Wood Remembering the Battle of Belleau Wood May 28, 2006; Submitted on: 06/08/2006 02:33:44 PM ; Story ID#: 200668143344 By Staff Sgt. Will Price , Marine Barracks 8th & I The Battle of Belleau Wood was commemorated by the United States Marine Corps... Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 11, 2006 Keillor: Note to Republicans: The party's over You might not have always liked Republicans, but you could count on them to manage the bank. They might be lousy tippers, act snooty, talk through their noses, wear spats and splash mud on you as they race their Pierce-Arrows through the village, but you knew they could do the math. To see them...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 10, 2006 Dems pamper neglected reds Holland said the DNC's resources have already allowed the party to reach rural parts of the state where it has been absent for years, it has revived atrophied local party organizations and recruited a record number of candidates.
Specifically, Holland cites progress in building the...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 9, 2006 BYU professor dies in car accident This past year, he was asked by several chairs in government to run for a Democratic chair in congress, but Snow always turned them down.
"We asked him to run for congress, but his missionary work and responsibilities within the church and in his family have always taken priority," Miller...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 8, 2006 3 Utah colleges mourning the loss of R.J. Snow Snow's university and church positions were evidence of his ability to handle difficult situations and "get things done in a peaceful and harmonious way," said Ted Wilson, who followed Snow as director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "Every time the Mormon Church had a sticky...     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 8, 2006 Former BYU vice-president killed in accident PROVO � R.J. Snow, a former vice-president at both Brigham Young University and University of Utah, died Tuesday night in a car accident near his Provo home.     Utah Democratic Party        more...

Jun 8, 2006 Former BYU vice-president killed in accident PROVO � R.J. Snow, a former vice-president at both Brigham Young University and University of Utah, died Tuesday night in a car accident near his Provo home.     Utah Democratic Party