Mitt Romney is consorting with known Mormons in his bid to win the Republican presidential nomination according to reports today in the Trib and News. The Church says the story, originally reported in the Boston Globe is not entirely accurate. This is a story? Doesn't everyone who runs for office work whatever network they have? Don't plenty of Protestant and Catholic and other religious leaders guide their flocks to make the "correct" choice. No one from the LDS Church is going to endorse Romney from the pulpit but even General Authorities have the right to privately support whoever they want to.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Mormon Mafia rides again
Mitt Romney is consorting with known Mormons in his bid to win the Republican presidential nomination according to reports today in the Trib and News. The Church says the story, originally reported in the Boston Globe is not entirely accurate. This is a story? Doesn't everyone who runs for office work whatever network they have? Don't plenty of Protestant and Catholic and other religious leaders guide their flocks to make the "correct" choice. No one from the LDS Church is going to endorse Romney from the pulpit but even General Authorities have the right to privately support whoever they want to.
Soren cares about your rights?
Soren Simonsen (sorry no special o with a line through it character) is concerned about smokers rights according to news reports of Tuesday's City Council deliberations. I found this fascinating, because the previous week when talking about his grand plans to socialize Sugar House he didn't seem concerned about property rights at all.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
I'm for Scott
I was disappointed that the Salt Lake Tribune endorsed Dr. Joe Jarvis over Sen. Scott McCoy, my state senator. The reasons given were bogus, basically, we need a doctor in the Legislature and we already have a gay in there somewhere. Jarvis actually came and spoke at the Capitol Hill Community Council meeting last month and I was a little confused because I knew he was running for Scott's seat and he sounded like a democrat. When I found out he was a Republican I was truly surprised. Frankly, I don't think he'll have any more success as a liberal Republican than Scott does as a Democrat in getting attention, and we have enough Republicans in the Legislature already. So choose youthful, Democrat, human rights campaigner, environment supporter, health care for all advocate, Scott McCoy over Dr. Jarvis. I certainly will.
Proposition 3 - The Rest of the Story
Why I don't like Proposition 3
1. It requires 25% of the money be used for purchasing land for the Mountain View highway corridor. This is a road that probably must be built but it should be built with gas tax money. If there isn't enough, then the gas tax should be raised, not the sales tax. The gas tax is one of the best user fees we have.
2. There is not enough money in Proposition 3 to pay for all the TRAX lines that would have been covered by the SLC property tax increase.
3. The state legislature (and SLC business leaders) didn't agree with how the County Council was raising money so they took over the process. The legislature should be spanked (unless they're into that kind of thing).
4. Commuter Rail is included. I think commuter rail is a great idea. But why are my taxes being raised so that Utah, Davis, and Weber counties have an easier commute into SLC? I chose to pay the extra cost of living in the city to avoid the commute. Why should I then have to subsidize people who want to live in Provo and work in SLC? If anything, this should be financed at the state level, not the county level.
1. It requires 25% of the money be used for purchasing land for the Mountain View highway corridor. This is a road that probably must be built but it should be built with gas tax money. If there isn't enough, then the gas tax should be raised, not the sales tax. The gas tax is one of the best user fees we have.
2. There is not enough money in Proposition 3 to pay for all the TRAX lines that would have been covered by the SLC property tax increase.
3. The state legislature (and SLC business leaders) didn't agree with how the County Council was raising money so they took over the process. The legislature should be spanked (unless they're into that kind of thing).
4. Commuter Rail is included. I think commuter rail is a great idea. But why are my taxes being raised so that Utah, Davis, and Weber counties have an easier commute into SLC? I chose to pay the extra cost of living in the city to avoid the commute. Why should I then have to subsidize people who want to live in Provo and work in SLC? If anything, this should be financed at the state level, not the county level.
Proposition 3 - Vote for it or the World Will End
The other side - From the October 13, 2006 Deseret Morning News.
Proposition 3 would aid transit
By Jim Bennett
The "Vote for Proposition 3" campaign is now under way. Polling suggests that Proposition 3 in Salt Lake County has broad-based support, yet the biggest challenge we face is confusion about what the measure actually does. So here are the facts. Both measures, Proposition 3, as well as the Opinion Question in Utah County, propose increasing the sales tax by a quarter of a cent. That part is very easy to understand. The question the average taxpayer then asks is simple: What do I get for my money? The answer is simple: economic growth. More transit opportunities. Less congestion and gridlock. Let's start in Utah County. By voting for the Opinion Question, Utah County voters will generate enough tax revenue to create a commuter rail line from Utah to Salt Lake County. Commuter rail from Ogden to Salt Lake City is well under way and may be in operation as early as late next year. It's hard to overstate the benefits of a commuter rail line extending from Provo to Ogden as part of a regional transit system that will benefit commuters on the road as well as on the train. In Salt Lake County, the list and timetable of transit and highway projects is still being finalized, which can be frustrating to those clamoring for specifics. But we know the benefits will be enormous, and we ought to rally behind Proposition 3 and approve it at the ballot box Nov. 7. One-quarter of the new tax revenue will be used to preserve Mountain View Corridor right of way, accelerating construction of a major west-side highway across the Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County. We will save multimillions of dollars by securing the necessary land now. The choice is whether we want to pay for it now or pay like crazy later. A large share of the money generated by the new tax in Salt Lake County will help accelerate significant new TRAX and FrontRunner commuter rail projects. The Utah Transit Authority is planning construction of five rail transit projects in the county: four new TRAX lines to Draper, West Jordan, West Valley, and to the Salt Lake International Airport, as well as new commuter rail from Salt Lake City south, meeting the proposed Utah County segment. Most of the confusion surrounding Proposition 3 focuses on which of these projects will be constructed and how quickly. Here's the answer. All of these projects will be built under an accelerated schedule if Proposition 3 passes. But without a positive vote, some of them won't be completed until 2030 — almost a quarter century from now. By approving Proposition 3, all of these projects will be completed much, much sooner — many as quickly as 2015. Utah's population is growing by roughly the size of Layton every year for the next three decades, and traffic congestion is increasing twice as fast. Every person who rides commuter rail or TRAX is another car taken off of our crowded roads. Anyone who has driven on I-15 across Point of the Mountain during rush hour knows exactly what I'm talking about. The choice is clear. A quarter of a cent sales tax increase is a small price to pay to preserve Utah's future. No one wants I-15 to become the equivalent of a Los Angeles freeway. That doesn't have to happen. In Utah County, please vote for the Opinion Question. In Salt Lake County, please vote for Proposition 3. We can create an efficient regional transportation system. If we wait, congestion will only get worse.
Jim Bennett is the campaign manager for "Vote for Proposition 3."
Proposition 3 would aid transit
By Jim Bennett
The "Vote for Proposition 3" campaign is now under way. Polling suggests that Proposition 3 in Salt Lake County has broad-based support, yet the biggest challenge we face is confusion about what the measure actually does. So here are the facts. Both measures, Proposition 3, as well as the Opinion Question in Utah County, propose increasing the sales tax by a quarter of a cent. That part is very easy to understand. The question the average taxpayer then asks is simple: What do I get for my money? The answer is simple: economic growth. More transit opportunities. Less congestion and gridlock. Let's start in Utah County. By voting for the Opinion Question, Utah County voters will generate enough tax revenue to create a commuter rail line from Utah to Salt Lake County. Commuter rail from Ogden to Salt Lake City is well under way and may be in operation as early as late next year. It's hard to overstate the benefits of a commuter rail line extending from Provo to Ogden as part of a regional transit system that will benefit commuters on the road as well as on the train. In Salt Lake County, the list and timetable of transit and highway projects is still being finalized, which can be frustrating to those clamoring for specifics. But we know the benefits will be enormous, and we ought to rally behind Proposition 3 and approve it at the ballot box Nov. 7. One-quarter of the new tax revenue will be used to preserve Mountain View Corridor right of way, accelerating construction of a major west-side highway across the Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County. We will save multimillions of dollars by securing the necessary land now. The choice is whether we want to pay for it now or pay like crazy later. A large share of the money generated by the new tax in Salt Lake County will help accelerate significant new TRAX and FrontRunner commuter rail projects. The Utah Transit Authority is planning construction of five rail transit projects in the county: four new TRAX lines to Draper, West Jordan, West Valley, and to the Salt Lake International Airport, as well as new commuter rail from Salt Lake City south, meeting the proposed Utah County segment. Most of the confusion surrounding Proposition 3 focuses on which of these projects will be constructed and how quickly. Here's the answer. All of these projects will be built under an accelerated schedule if Proposition 3 passes. But without a positive vote, some of them won't be completed until 2030 — almost a quarter century from now. By approving Proposition 3, all of these projects will be completed much, much sooner — many as quickly as 2015. Utah's population is growing by roughly the size of Layton every year for the next three decades, and traffic congestion is increasing twice as fast. Every person who rides commuter rail or TRAX is another car taken off of our crowded roads. Anyone who has driven on I-15 across Point of the Mountain during rush hour knows exactly what I'm talking about. The choice is clear. A quarter of a cent sales tax increase is a small price to pay to preserve Utah's future. No one wants I-15 to become the equivalent of a Los Angeles freeway. That doesn't have to happen. In Utah County, please vote for the Opinion Question. In Salt Lake County, please vote for Proposition 3. We can create an efficient regional transportation system. If we wait, congestion will only get worse.
Jim Bennett is the campaign manager for "Vote for Proposition 3."
Proposition 3
I wrote the following letter to the editor that appeared in the Deseret Morning News on Friday, October 13.
Vote no on unknown projects
I'm a strong supporter of TRAX and commuter rail expansion. I would have voted to raise my property taxes to pay for TRAX expansion and would have encouraged all my friends and relatives to do the same. But I will not be voting to increase the sales tax to fund unknown transportation projects. The state Legislature does not trust the voters, why should we trust them?
Michael Fife Salt Lake City
Imagine my surprise this morning when perusing yesterday's paper over cottage cheese and a bagel I read the following:
Can't trust legislators
Columnist Bob Bernick Jr. really lit into Rep. Chris Cannon (Oct. 13). Then he turned his attention to congressmen in general, pointing out their arrogance and their apparent unwillingness to pass any legislation that would benefit the poor. "While others struggle financially, congressmen accept yearly automatic pay raises ... they refuse to raise the minimum wage," etc. Michael Fife (Readers' Forum, Oct. 13) thinks along a similar line. The Utah Legislature wants us to approve unknown transportation projects. "The state Legislature does not trust the voters," he says. "Why should we trust them?" This is all too true. Like Fife, I might have voted my approval if the projects were specified, such as TRAX to the airport.
Norval Turner Murray
What! People actually read the letters to the editor. I don't believe I've ever been quoted before in print. It was a little weird. Someone in this valley agrees with me!
Vote no on unknown projects
I'm a strong supporter of TRAX and commuter rail expansion. I would have voted to raise my property taxes to pay for TRAX expansion and would have encouraged all my friends and relatives to do the same. But I will not be voting to increase the sales tax to fund unknown transportation projects. The state Legislature does not trust the voters, why should we trust them?
Michael Fife Salt Lake City
Imagine my surprise this morning when perusing yesterday's paper over cottage cheese and a bagel I read the following:
Can't trust legislators
Columnist Bob Bernick Jr. really lit into Rep. Chris Cannon (Oct. 13). Then he turned his attention to congressmen in general, pointing out their arrogance and their apparent unwillingness to pass any legislation that would benefit the poor. "While others struggle financially, congressmen accept yearly automatic pay raises ... they refuse to raise the minimum wage," etc. Michael Fife (Readers' Forum, Oct. 13) thinks along a similar line. The Utah Legislature wants us to approve unknown transportation projects. "The state Legislature does not trust the voters," he says. "Why should we trust them?" This is all too true. Like Fife, I might have voted my approval if the projects were specified, such as TRAX to the airport.
Norval Turner Murray
What! People actually read the letters to the editor. I don't believe I've ever been quoted before in print. It was a little weird. Someone in this valley agrees with me!
LaVar is Looking for Bad Guys
Second district congressional candidate LaVar Christianson was on KSL this morning being lobbed softballs by Grant and Amanda. LaVar has evidently figured out that running against Congressman Matheson is a no-win situation so he reserved his criticism for Nancy Pelosi and the state Senate democrats. LaVar is, of course, not running against any of these people, much to his dismay. After he talked about how the national democrats were not immoral, just bent on lowering the country's moral standards, Grant and/or Amanda should have asked, "So how are your moral positions different than those of Congressman Matheson?" The answer would have been, there is no difference, hence his need to criticise other democrats.
Friday, October 13, 2006
SLC Traffic
Traffic in downtown SLC was horrible yesterday around 5 and the really big construction projects haven't even started yet.
EnergySolutions Tries Again
EnergySolutions, stymied in its attempt to expand horizontally, has now decided to expand vertically. The Radiation Control Board is of course too happy to agree to their demands. I testified Wednesday against the EnergySolutions expansion as did many others during a public comment period. An op-ed piece published in the Ogden paper written by HEAL Utah staffer, Christopher Thomas, gives more information on the proposed expansion.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Cannon and Hatch and Mark Foley
The Utah delegation is fighting for the dubious honor of most idiotic comments regarding the Mark Foley Scandal. First we have Rep. Cannon blaming the kids - they're precocious. And now Sen. Hatch says the House leadership was concerned about appearing homophobic. Have they turned over a new leaf? I had no idea they gave a tinker's damn about appearing anti-gay. This would have come in handy during the debate on the "Defense of Marriage" act. Or maybe that wasn't anti-gay. It was just pro-not gay? Being against molesting children is not homophobia. It's human decency.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Banning Smoking in SLC
Salt Lake City Council to discuss a ban on outside smoking. Right on. I hate going to cultural events at Washington Square, etc. and having to dodge the smoke as I'm walking down the sidewalk.
Monday, October 09, 2006
New Congressional District for Utah
My primary concern in looking at congressional districts is, "Do the districts keep communities together". To get four congressional districts in Utah and to keep communities together, I believe the districts should be centered on:
1. Weber/Davis/Cache counties
2. Northern Salt Lake County
3. Southern Salt Lake County
4. Utah County
I think the proposed Huntsman plan does a good job with this. There will need to be some adjustments to get the variations between districts down to a legal level but it looks like a good starting point to me.
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