"There is no doubt we will have a unified Democratic Party"

Hillary Clinton said it.

Let it be.

Clinton - Obama, Obama - Clinton

I'm watching the CNN debate and thinking how great Barack and Hillary look sitting next to each other.

They have great chemistry together.

Whoever becomes our Democratic nominee, and then our next president, should consider asking the other to run as vice president.

And, the answer from the other should be, "yes!"

It certainly would be, "America's Dream Team!"

Mayor Ralph Becker Appoints New Education Partnership Coordinator

Former City Council Member and State Legislator Tapped for Education Spot

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announced today that Joanne Milner has been selected to serve in the newly created position of Education Partnership Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office.

Milner will work on behalf of Mayor Becker to forge partnerships with the Salt Lake City School District, neighborhood schools, to help determine and coordinate Salt Lake City governmental policies and action for schools.

Becker created the position as part of a campaign promise to support education in Salt Lake City by working with the business community, state government, and higher education entities to match community resources with school needs. Milner was appointed by a selection committee comprised of Salt Lake City area educators, administrators, parents and teachers.

Milner is a former member of the Salt Lake City Council who served from 1996-2000. She was also a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 1986-1992. For the past 13 years, Milner served as the Community Relations Program Facilities Manager at the Horizonte Instruction and Training Center.

McKell Withers, Superintendent of the Salt Lake City School District, remarked, “I am pleased that Mayor Becker has appointed Joanne Milner. She is an outstanding individual whose background, experience and training uniquely qualify her to assist us as we move forward in addressing the critical issues facing the District. I am looking forward to working with her to develop community-based support to meet the needs of our students and their families.”

Mayor Becker said, “Education is key to improving the lives of our children and their families, and to moving people out of the cycles of poverty and crime. Joanne has dedicated much of her life to this goal and I am pleased that she has accepted this appointment. I know with her help, we can do much to enhance the quality of education in our city.”

The appointment of Milner reflects the fulfillment of one of the key planks of Mayor Becker’s 180 Day Plan for Salt Lake City. Milner will now help Becker by executing some of the additional elements of the plan such as arranging roundtable meetings, in coordination with the school district personnel, the school board, and with school principals, to share ideas and better understand how city administration and policy can support their efforts in our schools.

Biographical Information on Joanne Milner:

Joanne R. Milner is the Community Relations Program Manager at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, a non-traditional high school in Salt Lake City serving nearly 10,000 students a year.. She is responsible for establishing community partnerships, fundraising, coordinating and scheduling school and community use of the multi-cultural learning facility.

Milner is a former member of the Salt Lake City Council. She served a four-year term representing the culturally diverse West-side area of Salt Lake City from 1996-2000. She also served three-terms in the Utah State House of Representatives (Democrat) from 1987-1992. She is an outspoken advocate for under-represented ethnic minority populations, and initiated the first Multi-Ethnic Advisory Committee for Salt Lake City, a catalyst for promoting a city ordinance establishing a Multi-Cultural Advisory Board to ensure representation for minorities on city boards and commissions.

Milner, a descendent of Italian immigrants, is the executive producer of a soon to be released documentary production, Our Story: Italian-Americans in Utah which will air on KUED. She is a former producer and host of KSL NEWSRADIO Cultural Connections, and Perspective: The Changing Face of Utah, public affairs programs, focusing on multiculturalism and ethnic minority issues.

She is an appointed member of the Utah Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and is an advisory board member for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice, The Utah Humanities Council, Alliance House for the Mentally Ill, the Junior League Community Advisory Board, and is a former board member for the Center for Documentary Arts.

Milner received the 2005 Rosa Parks Award, presented by the Salt Lake Chapter of the NAACP, and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the first Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission for the State of Utah.

Her leadership and community service has been extended to numerous boards and committees including; Multi-Ethnic Housing Development, Salt Lake City Public Library Board, Governor’s Commission for Women and Families, State Domestic Violence Intervention Task Force, Governor’s Commission on Child Care, Governor’s Task Force on Health Care Cost Containment, Traveler’s Aid Task Force on Women and Poverty, Centro de la Familia, Indian Walk-In Center, Neighborhood House Child and Adult Day Care, Salt Lake County Environmental Quality Advisory Committee, Salt Lake Rape Recovery Center, and Esperanza Para Mañana.

Milner holds a Master of Public Administration degree and Bachelors in Communications/Public Relations from the University of Utah. She is co-author of the Utah State Fare Cookbook, which promotes the state’s cultural diversity through cooking and traditional family recipes.

Utah House Democrats "concerned" and "somewhat dissapointed" with HB 133: Healtcare Reform

“We know that this is the time for good, comprehensive health system reform. However, we are somewhat disappointed that this bill has been reduced to the creation of a task force,” said Minority Leader, Representative Brad King (Price). “We were looking forward to the governor’s proposal of bold and visionary health system reform, and were ready to move forward with meaningful solutions. Hopefully, a task force will not just set us back another year in an already overdue and multi-year process.”

Click here for more from the House Democratic Caucus website...

It's usury Mark, plain and simple

Shurtleff defends payday loan rates
By Lee Davidson
Deseret Morning News
Published: January 30, 2008

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Tuesday that banning "payday loans" could hurt the poor more than it would help them and could force more of them into bankruptcies or repossessions.

But debating against that was University of Utah law professor Christopher Peterson, an expert on predatory lending. He said payday loans are essentially legalized loan sharking that can bury the unwary into deep debt. He said societies for millennia have banned the sort of high interest rates that payday lenders now charge.

The pair faced off in the annual Jefferson B. Fordham Debate at the University of Utah's Quinney College of Law, a series that looks at key current issues. They took different sides of whether states should ban any loan with interest rates over 36 percent — which both agree would put the payday loan industry out of business.

Payday loans are usually given for two weeks to those with poor credit. A Deseret Morning News study in 2005 found the median annual interest on them here was 521 percent, or $20 for a two-week $100 loan. Critics contend the needy often cannot pay them off on time and must take out more loans at the high rates to cover them.

Shurtleff said while that interest may sound high, payday lenders actually spend $14 to $15 per $100 loan to service them, including collection on the risky loans. But Peterson said, "The average interest rate on a New York City Mafia loan syndicate loan was 250 percent (in the 1960s), half the price of a payday loan in Salt Lake City."

Shurtleff said, "I've done a lot of research in this area. And I truly believe in my heart of hearts that the people's good is best served by competition" and allowing payday loans as an option besides such things as bouncing checks or pawning goods.

He added, "It would be immoral to take away from somebody an option ... that allowed them to avoid bankruptcy, repossessions and welfare. That would be immoral: not to give people that opportunity and let them make that choice."

Shurtleff said when he took office, he talked to advocacy groups for the poor who complained about debt pitfalls from payday loans. He said he looked into them and found that the state regulators received few complaints from users.

He said a recent study by staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York also concluded that after Georgia and North Carolina banned such loans, former users migrated to costlier alternatives, including bouncing checks (and paying expensive bank fees to cover them), or filing for bankruptcy.

Peterson, who has written books examining predatory lending practices, said that study was flawed and did not control for many variables that could have increased bankruptcies and bounced checks. He said payday loans do hurt the poor.

He said studies have shown that a typical payday loan user spends $793 to pay off a $325 loan by needing to take out more payday loans to pay off the original — at astronomic rates — because they cannot pay it off in the original two weeks.

Compared to the 521 percent median rate on them in Utah, he said most cultures have capped interest at no more than 36 percent. He said, for example, ancient Babylon had interest rate caps of 20 percent on borrowing silver and 33 percent on borrowing grain at a time before money was developed. "Before we figured out what money is, we figured out that we need a 20 percent interest cap."

Peterson said the Roman Empire had a 12 percent cap. The ancient Chinese had a 36 percent cap. The American colonies had caps between 5 and 12 percent. Between 1900 and the late 1970s, most states had usury caps between 18 and 42 percent.

But since then, the median cap among states is 400 percent, and many states, including Utah, have no caps — which led to the rise of payday loans. Nationally, Peterson said, more payday lenders exist now than McDonalds, Burger King, J.C. Penneys and Target stores combined.

"The past 15 years have been a dangerous and radical historical anomaly," Peterson said. "If a 520 percent loan isn't usury, what is?"

To the Utah State Legislature: What would Jesus do?

Again with the instate tuition

We were struck by the remarks on illegal immigrants recently delivered by Bishop John C. Wester of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. He said, "Jesus himself was a refugee who fled the terror of Herod in the family's flight to Egypt." He spoke of half the earth's population living in poverty and pointed out that undocumented workers in the United States are not freeloaders but pay about $3 billion in income tax each year. He said America posts a "no trespassing" sign at the border, but a "help wanted" sign at the work place.

His remarks dove-tail nicely with recent pleas for "compassion" from the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which owns this newspaper).

But if we were struck by Bishop Wester's remarks, we were struck dumb by the unfortunate and wrong-headed attempt — once again — of some members of the Utah Legislature to hike tuition costs for the hapless and cash-strapped students who have ended up in the United States through no choice of their own. These students are simply trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Rep. Glenn Donnelson of Ogden is trying — once again — to repeal the law allowing undocumented students to pay instate tuition for college. They don't get a hand-out. It's not even a scholarship. They pay what others pay, but only if they completed at least three years of high school in Utah first. And the special status affects a mere handful of students — probably not enough young people to fill the day shift at just one mom-and-pop business.
Give us a break.

Then give these young people a break.

Rep. Donnelson, what part of the word "compassion" don't you understand?

It's time for legislators to climb off the high horse and get back on the work horse. Real issues and problems exist. Killing instate tuition for a handful of unfortunate children is not one of them.

Utah legislators need to display large hearts, not small minds. They need to think big, not narrow. Creative and visionary thinking are badly needed.

Update: Press Briefing on Utah Democratic Legislative Priorities

Note: this press briefing replaces the currently scheduled event, which was cancelled due to the death of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley

When: Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 12:00 sharp
Who: Democratic Caucus Leadership
What: Democratic Caucus Priorities for 2008 Legislative Session.

Salt Lake City – Representative Brad King (D – Price), Representative David Litvack (D – Salt Lake City), Representative Carol Spackman Moss (D – Holladay) and Representative Phil Riesen (D – Salt Lake City) will hold their first press briefing to unveil Democratic priorities for the 2008 legislative session.House Democratic Leadership will hold their weekly press briefings each Monday morning at 9am.

Democratic Legislative Priorities include:

- Improving the Legislative Process
- Education
- Health Care Reform
- Environment

Kennedys for Clinton

She stands for Democrats and for the nation, these family members say.

By Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kerry Kennedy
January 29, 2008

This is a wonderful year for Democrats. Our party is blessed with the most impressive array of primary candidates in modern history. All would make superb presidents.

By now you may have read or heard that our cousin, Caroline Kennedy, and our uncle, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, have come out in favor of Sen. Barack Obama. We, however, are supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton because we believe that she is the strongest candidate for our party and our country.

While talk of unity and compromise are inspiring to a nation wary of divisiveness, America stands at a historic crossroads where real issues divide our political landscapes. Democrats believe that America should not be torturing people, eavesdropping on our citizens or imprisoning them without habeas corpus or other constitutional rights. We should not be an imperial power. We need healthcare for all and a clean, safe environment.

The loftiest poetry will not solve these issues. We need a president willing to engage in a fistfight to safeguard and restore our national virtues.

We have worked with Hillary Clinton for 15 years (and in Kathleen's case, 25 years) and witnessed the power and depth of her convictions firsthand. We've seen her formidable work ethic, courage in the face of adversity and her dignity and clear head in crisis. We've also seen her two-fisted willingness to enter the brawl when America's principles are challenged. Her measured rhetoric, political savvy and pragmatism shield the heart of our nation's most determined and most democratic warrior.

She has been an uncompromising and loyal ally for each of us in our battles to protect the environment and to promote human rights around the world and juvenile justice in America. Hillary is a problem-solver, listening to people and then achieving solutions by changing attitudes.

Her transformational leadership was on display when she ran for the Senate seat in New York that had been held by our father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. She faced rabid, heavily funded attacks from the far right and the challenge of prevailing in traditionally Republican upstate New York. Traveling with her, we watched admiringly as she persuasively articulated an inspiring and unifying vision rooted in American values and history. Then, through patience, hard work, leadership and political acumen, she transformed many of those rock-solid conservative counties into solid Democratic strongholds.

We look forward to working beside her in the general election as she uses those same talents to change once rigid opinions and political affiliations across the nation.

Like our father, Hillary has devoted her life to embracing and including those on the bottom rung of society's ladder -- giving voice to the alienated and disenfranchised and working to alleviate poverty and injustice, while urging that we cannot advance ourselves as a nation by leaving our poorer brothers and sisters behind.

She's been an equally effective champion for human rights and for women's rights, a worldwide cause that will profit enormously by her elevation to the presidency. She has worked for peace in Northern Ireland and fought to bridge religious, racial and ethnic divides from Bosnia to the Middle East to South Africa. She has shown a rare understanding that American values can only be exported by moral leadership, by a strong home economy and by a detailed understanding of the history and cultural backdrops of the nations we engage.

She understands, as our current administration does not, the uses of power. The world, she says, is hungry for U.S. leadership but will not accept our bullying. She knows the difference and will reestablish America's lost prestige and moral authority.

Hillary Clinton's political career has been centered in comforting the afflicted, afflicting the comfortable and reminding Americans what it means to be American. As a young lawyer, she focused on children's issues and legal aid. As first lady of Arkansas, she brought healthcare to rural areas and helped reform the state's lagging education system.

As first lady, she courageously took on healthcare reform. When a massive propaganda campaign by Big Pharma and the radical right derailed her efforts, she didn't give up. She helped create the nationally acclaimed Children's Health Insurance Program. That kind of persistence in pursuit of our highest ideals is the brand of leadership America now requires. Inspirational leadership comes in many forms.

Seldom has history confronted America with such daunting challenges: a catastrophic foreign policy that has cost us our international leadership and aggravated the threat of terror; a misbegotten war that is squandering precious American lives and treasure; a healthcare system that leaves millions of Americans without coverage; irresponsible corporate power that is corroding our democracy and outsourcing our jobs, aggravating global warming and other environmental crises and reducing our economy to shambles.

We need a leader who is battle-tested, resilient and sure-footed on the shifting landscapes of domestic and foreign policy. Hillary Clinton will move our country forward while promoting its noblest ideals.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an environmental advocate and Kerry Kennedy is a human rights activist.

Obama cancels Saturday appearance in Utah

Sen. Barack Obama has canceled his visit to Utah in advance of the state’s presidential primary next Tuesday out of respect for funeral services of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The Illinois Democrat was scheduled to drop by the state for a short appearance in Salt Lake City, but his campaign said Tuesday the visit was off. Because of previously scheduled events, Obama won’t be able to make the trek to the state another time but plans to send surrogates to stump for him.

“Last night I spoke with President Thomas Monson and expressed my deepest sympathies to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Obama said in a statement. Monson is Hinckley's likely successor.


Obama spokesman Andrew Savage said he was unsure who might replace Obama in visiting Utah before Tuesday’s primary but to “stay tuned."

“Sen. Obama was looking forward to returning to Utah since his August visit and for the opportunity to meet and talk to the people of Utah again,” Savage said. Still, the campaign is "taking Utah's primary very seriously and plans to be very competitive on Tuesday.”

- Salt Lake Tribune

YouTube: Ted Kennedy endorses Barack Obama

A statement from Wayne Holland, Chair of the Utah Democratic Party, on the death of LDS President Hinckley

It is customary for organizations to release short statements of condolence at the death of prominent community leaders. Upon learning of the death of Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I found it impossible to sum up the Utah Democratic Party’s feelings about his leadership in a few short words. Utah Democrats appreciate his contributions to the world and our community too much to let his passing be memorialized with a one paragraph statement.

Utah Democrats embrace diversity as a source of strength in our community rather than a reason for division. President Hinckley exemplified this principle more than any other Utahn. He did more than just outreach to people around the world. In various LDS temple dedications and other services, he celebrated our cultural differences and, in doing so, helped us all discover the common humanity that we share. President Hinckley demonstrated this value with his good works around the globe and here at home in Utah.

Utah Democrats are constant advocates that access to government services be as widespread as possible. This principle is reminiscent of President Hinckley’s commitment to improving the access of LDS Church members to facilities where they could participate in sacred temple ordinances without undue travel and financial hardship aiding many LDS faithful who previously had little hope of ever attending far-away temples. Again, the work of his life demonstrated our common values.

President Hinckley wrote two books that many Utah Democrats cherish. Democrats in Utah and around the country are familiar with his 2000 book “Standing for Something.” The book speaks to people of all political persuasions and all faiths expounding on common personal virtues that bring us together as a community and help uplift us. The Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, was featured on the dust jacket of that book. While the book focuses on ten specific values, it provided Democrats in Utah with another virtue – courage, the courage to stand for their convictions which are based on the ten virtues that he did write about.

The other book of importance to Utah Democrats was President Hinckley’s biography “James Henry Moyle: The Story of a Distinguished American and an Honored Churchman” published in 1951. James Moyle was the first Chairman of the Utah State Democratic Party and our party’s nominee for governor and the United States Senate in the first two decades of our State’s history. He served on the Democratic National Committee until 1932. Mr. Moyle was a prominent attorney who went to law school in Michigan with George Sutherland, who later became a Supreme Court Justice. Moyle would serve in the Treasury Department of two national administrations for Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This book is an important historical document for the Utah Democratic Party and we are grateful to President Hinckley for his work on this important text.

Another thing we need to mention is President Hinckley’s dedication to openness both with the news media and in the political process though establishment of the Public Affairs Committee. The establishment of this important Church committee institutionalized a method of communication between the Church and the secular world. He used it masterfully, empowering the committee to meet with local and national officials and arranging numerous interviews with the national and local news media, increasing transparency about the LDS Church and its positions.

As an example: For years, politicians and the news media have treated political statements coming from the LDS Church administration as though they were delivered in some code that could only be discerned by the worthy. One particular instance took place in May of 1998 when Elder Marlin Jensen speaking for the LDS Church made its strongest public statement to that date about the need for political diversity among members, while expressing concerns the Republican Party is becoming the “church party.” The statement was immediately dismissed by then Congressman James V. Hansen who insisted that if the LDS Church really meant what Elder Jensen had said it would have come from President Hinckley. So, at a later date when President Hinckley was asked at the National Press Club, “Given the platform and positions taken by the Democratic Party, can you be a good church member and a Democrat?” He answered, “Yes, I think so.” He thus put an end to the debate.

Finally, on a personal note, I will always appreciate the words of comfort that he brought to the family and friends of former Congressman Wayne Owens by speaking at his funeral services. Congressman Owens was a close friend and mentor to me. I will never forget President Hinckley’s comment that, “Any man who is engaged in the cause of peace is engaged in the cause of Christ. That was the essence of Wayne's life.” President Hinckley offered his comfort to thousands of others in a similar manner that I know will always be appreciated.

The world has lost an irreplaceable role model who taught us how to reach out to one another and appreciate our diversity. He showed us the importance of access to the facilities and services that are important to conducting our lives in a fulfilling manner. He taught us to stand for something and live our virtues. He gave Utah Democrats an important text telling of our Party’s history. And, he was a community leader, who brought some openness and transparency through his willingness to talk to the public. We thank his family for sharing him with us and supporting his efforts. We thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint for providing us with such an inspiring leader. At this time our prayers are with them.

Statement from Congressman Jim Matheson on President Gordon B. Hinckley's passing

I am saddened to learn of President Gordon B. Hinckley's passing. In my experience, he was a man of tremendous foresight, with a keen awareness of current events and of the challenges and opportunities facing the people of the LDS Church, of the state of Utah and of our country.


I will remember him as a devout, compassionate spiritual leader who showed much warmth and humor. I express my sincere condolences to his family."

Utah Rep. Jim Matheson

Official LDS Church statement on President Gordon B. Hinckley's passing

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through nearly 13 years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.

President Hinckley was the15th president in the 177-year history of the Church, and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.

The Church president died this evening at 7:00 p.m. of causes incident to age at home surrounded by his family. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church's Council of Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley's funeral within the next few days.

President Hinckley was known, even at the age of 97, as a tireless leader who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering more than 13 million in 160 nations.

His quick wit and humor combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. A profoundly spiritual man, he had a great fondness for history and often peppered his sermons with stories from the Church's pioneer past.

He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on "60 Minutes" with Mike Wallace and on CNN's "Larry King Live," as well as in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event.

In recent years, a number of major developments in the Church reflected President Hinckley's personal drive and direction. In calling for 100 temples to be in operation before the end of the year 2000, the president committed the Church to a massive temple building program.

In 1999 - 169 years after the Church was organized by its founder, Joseph Smith - the Church had 56 operating temples. Three years later that number had doubled, largely because of a smaller, highly practical temple architectural plan that delivered these sacred buildings to Church members in far-flung parts of the world. Many more Church members can now experience the sacred ceremonies that occur only in temples, including marriages for eternity and the sealing of families in eternal units.

President Hinckley was the most traveled president in the Church's history. His duties have taken him around the world many times to meet with Latter-day Saints in more than 60 countries. He is the first Church president to travel to Spain, where in 1996 he broke ground for a temple in Madrid; and to the African nations of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, where he met with thousands of Latter-day Saints in 1998.

At a general conference of Church members in April 2001, President Hinckley initiated the Perpetual Education Fund - an ambitious program to help young members of the Church (mainly returning missionaries from developing countries) receive higher education and work-related training in nations where they would otherwise likely never receive it.

Closer to his Salt Lake City home, President Hinckley announced the construction of a new Conference Center in 1996, and dedicated it four years later. Seating 21,000 people, it is believed to be the largest religious and theater auditorium in the world, and has become the hub for the Church's messages to the world, broadcast in 54 languages.

Even before his term as president, President Hinckley's extensive Church service included 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the highest presiding body in the government of the Church, and for 20 years before that, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Hinckley was born 23 June 1910, in Salt Lake City, a son of Bryant Stringham and Ada Bitner Hinckley. One of his forebears, Stephen Hopkins, came to America on the Mayflower. Another, Thomas Hinckley, served as governor of the Plymouth Colony from 1680 to 1692.

President Hinckley's first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Deseret News, a Salt Lake City daily. After attending public schools in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Utah and then served two years as a full-time missionary for the Church in Great Britain. He served with distinction and ultimately was appointed as an assistant to the Church apostle who presided over all the European missions.

Upon successfully completing his missionary service in the mid-1930s, he was asked by then Church President Heber J. Grant to organize what has become the Church's Public Affairs Department.

President Hinckley began serving as a member of the Sunday School general board in 1937, two years after returning home from missionary service in Great Britain. For 20 years he directed all Church public communications. In 1951 he was named executive secretary of the General Missionary Committee, managing the entire missionary program of the Church, and served in this capacity for seven years.

On 6 April 1958, while serving as president of the East Millcreek Stake in Salt Lake City (a stake is similar to a diocese), President Hinckley was appointed as a general authority, or senior full-time leader of the Church. In this capacity he served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles before being appointed to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 5 October 1961.

President Hinckley has received a number of educational honors including the Distinguished Citizen Award from Southern Utah University; Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Utah; and honorary doctorates from Westminster College, Utah State University, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley State College and Salt Lake Community College. The Gordon B. Hinckley Endowment for British Studies, a program focused on the arts, literature and history of the United Kingdom, was established at the University of Utah.

President Hinckley was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America; was honored by the National Conference of Community and Justice (formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews) for his contributions to tolerance and understanding in the world; and received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In March 2000 President Hinckley addressed the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. He also has addressed the Religion Newswriters Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and twice has addressed the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

President Hinckley has written and edited several books and numerous manuals, pamphlets and scripts, including a best-selling book, Standing for Something, aimed at a general audience. In it he champions the virtues of love, honesty, morality, civility, learning, forgiveness, mercy, thrift and industry, gratitude, optimism and faith. He also testifies of what he calls the "guardians of virtue," namely traditional marriage and family.

President Hinckley married Majorie Pay in the Salt Lake Temple in 1937. They are the parents of five children. Sister Hinckley passed away April 6, 2004.

Governor Huntsman extends condolences to Hinckley family

Mary Kaye and I are truly mourning tonight’s death of President Gordon B. Hinckley. The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has served as a transformational religious leader and tremendous ambassador for Utah with his unprecedented outreach to all corners of the world.

We join with thousands of others, who have been touched by his words and deeds, in remembering all he has done for so many in our community and in the world. His leadership in humanitarian efforts around the world was matched only by his efforts in his own beloved state and community as a committed citizen. He has stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and he will be greatly missed by all. We extend our deepest of sympathies to the family and the community who loved President Hinckley. May we all be comforted in the knowledge of his beloved positive outlook on life.”

The Governor has authorized the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah to be lowered in honor of President Gordon B. Hinckley. The flags shall be flown at half-staff on all state-owned facilities until sunset on the day of his interment.

Statement from Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker on President Hinckley's passing

I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of President Hinckley and the millions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I appreciate the great care and concern President Hinckley had for our city. He has guided an unprecedented investment in downtown Salt Lake City that will be an example and catalyst for our future. He was truly one of Salt Lake City's greatest ambassadors. His compassion, sense of humor and wisdom will be deeply missed by our community. As the Mayor of Salt Lake City, I hope all of us will follow President Hinckley’s example of reaching out as individuals to serve our neighbors.

Ralph Becker

President Gordon B. Hinckley has been released and is going home

From KSL: Gordon B. Hinckley has passed away

KVNU: LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley Dead at 97

Pursuit of Liberty: President Hinckley

SUMP: Gordon B. Hinckley: A Tribute

The Senate Site: Statement on Passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley

Centerville Citizen: Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

KUTV: LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley Dies

Coke, Pepsi, Hillary, and Barack

For several years I have noticed a trend that I believe is worth mentioning at this time when Utah Democrats are deciding which Democratic presidential candidate they will support during the February 5th primary here in Utah. For lack of a better example I will call it the Coke and Pepsi Syndrome.

I first noticed this a child when my grandmother Kendall would send me to Pete's market in Winnemucca, Nevada to purchase her favorite soft drink and addiction, Coca-Cola. On one occasion I came back from Pete's not with her beloved "Coke", but with a six pack of Pepsi. My grandmother became unglued. Not only did she send me back to the market, she let me know that Pepsi was not allowed in her home. When I asked why, she said, "because I like Coke!" Although I too prefer Coke to Pepsi (sorry Bishop Larsen), I unlike my grandmother, am fine with drinking Pepsi, and in fact actually enjoy a little diversity from time to time.

Since it came out that I am on Hillary Clinton's steering committee I have received several e-mails, and phone calls from Barack Obama supporters who cannot understand why I am supporting Hillary. Most of the e-mails are not too condemning and are from friends, but yesterday I received a letter that stated that I, Rob Miller, am not a true Democrat, and that I have become another member of the do nothing status quo.

Just so you know, I don't take it personal. I am very comfortable with myself politically due to the fact that I absolutely understand my political motives, and still understand that I am an activist, not a politician. Don't let my age (42), haircut, or suit fool you. I came to this work with honest intentions. In fact, this wasn't what I originally wanted to do with my life, or imagined for myself, or for my family. But events happen, eyes open, and now I can hardly see myself doing anything else. I'm pleased that I have found my place as a Party steward, and I am grateful that I am engaged in the re-building of Utah's greatest Party, the Utah Democratic Party.

I don't truly understand how I, a mediocre man at best, has been allowed to be one of those agents of change at this most important time, especially since I am sure that there are so many others who could do a better job, that is except for maybe these reasons, I have the passion, I care about you and your family, and in my heart I truly want to do what is right.

Lately there has been some negative posts on the Utah blogosphere about Senator Clinton by Democrats I admire and love. Just yesterday I posted that Chelsea Clinton was coming to Utah. Soon afterwards my friend Bob wrote a post titled, Hillary doesn't give a damn about Utah. The day before my friend Misty had a post on her blog titled, This Really Disgusts Me. My first thought about Bob's post was that his passion for Barack has clouded his judgement as to why Hillary is sending Chelsea instead of coming herself. All one needs to do is look at the nasty things that are being said about Senator Clinton on the Tribune and Deseret News comment boards to see why Chelsea may be better spokesperson for her mother at this time, but even that hypothesis is my own and may have nothing to do as to why Chelsea is coming to Utah and Hillary is not. In fact, events this weekend (Florida) make me wonder if I'm not up in the night.

As for Misty's post I was taken back a bit due to the fact that Misty herself was in Nevada and stated,

"Thankfully, I didn't see any of this happen in the small town I was in."

Just because someone says it's true doesn't make it true, but with that said, it doesn't mean the events detailed in Misty's post didn't happen either.

One comment I received from my friend Marshall, stated,

"Are you really supporting Hillary? Dr. Dean will be out the door at the DNC as quick as you can say Utah if Hillary is the nominee. And Utah will return to being the forgotten state because the 50 state strategy will be gone."

This is one of my greatest concerns with any of the candidates. The 50 state strategy has been a nothing less than a miracle for Utah, and we have watched our Party go from three staffers to over twenty under his leadership, although much of that progress can also be attributed to our pragmatic chair Wayne Holland, our executive director Todd Taylor, our current president, George W. Bush, and the lack of true leadership from our Republican majority in the Utah State Legislature. It is my opinion that if Hillary is elected that she upholds and continues Governor Dean's successful 50 state strategy.

I'm also not pleased with some of the events from this weekend. When other states decided to move their primaries to February 5th in spite of the DNC rules Governor Huntsman asked if the Utah Democratic Party would agree to move our primary date up to an earlier date. We did not because we felt it was important to uphold the DNC's rules and dates that our DNC members agreed to. Florida did not do so and lost their delegates. We did and I can state that a representative from Hillary's campaign was at the same meeting our DNC members attended and agreed to do the same. Now they want the Florida delegates reinstated.

Anyway, just because grandma liked Coke she decided that Pepsi sucked, but that really isn't the point I'm trying to get across. Very often when someone chooses a side, the competition, no matter how similar they are, becomes the enemy. I have also observed another trend throughout my life that I am guilty of myself. Have you ever known someone who becomes angry at somebody else and no matter what the supposed offender does, it's wrong, or bad, or their actions are belittled regardless of what they do? I see it all the time, and it seems that no matter what is done to rectify the situation the person who has the grudge very often seems incapable allowing the supposed offender any latitude. I intentionally try to not get caught into this trap, but as I said before, I too am guilty of allowing my anger get the best of me when evaluating someone else, just ask Greg Curtis.

In ending I want to state that I am supporting Hillary Clinton and I have given her my name as an endorsement (as if that would do her campaign any good). Another fact remains that her campaign is the only campaign that asked for my endorsement. The only one. However, I also want to state that my blog has been supportive of the Obama campaign, the Edwards campaign, and the Richardson campaign. Why? Because I like all of these candidates. Have you ever heard the old saying there's a right way and the wrong way? I realized many years ago that this statement isn't always true, if at all. Todd Taylor has a great way of explaining my point. There are lots of ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich. You may use butter, I may use mayonnaise, but the end result is still a grilled cheese sandwich, and it is in the mind of the beholder which sandwich is the best.

I walked for John Edwards in Elko. I have been both supportive and helpful to the Obama campaign. And, I have made calls and lent advice, and my name to the Hillary campaign. Why? Because I believe they are all very capable of running this country, and I will have no problem supporting our nominee, no matter who comes out on top, even if it isn't my first choice, Hillary Clinton.

And by the way, I drink both Coke and Pepsi, and that's just the way it is.

With every best wish,

The Utah Amicus

The Salt Lake Tribune picks Hillary

Hillary Clinton: N.Y. senator is best choice among Democrats
Tribune Editorial
Article Last Updated: 01/26/2008 03:02:11 PM MST

With this country bogged down in two wars, burdened by a crushing deficit and hurtling toward recession, experience and sheer toughness are essential in a presidential nominee.

We believe Sen. Hillary Clinton has an abundance of both - as Sen. Barack Obama does not - and should be the Democratic Party's nominee to reclaim the White House.

Clinton offers a unique background in government. She has been an active two-term senator, but the singularity of her political experience does not come solely from her work in the Senate, but also from her role as first lady to former President Bill Clinton. By her own description, and there is ample supporting evidence, she was her husband's closest adviser, involved in major policy decisions - an unofficial vice president of sorts - for eight years.

As first lady, she was handed the monumental task of formulating a comprehensive health-care reform proposal. Her complex, sweeping plan failed in Congress, but the effort gave her a broad background in what has become a national crisis. Her current health plan is more market-driven than its predecessor, but it would require insurers to provide coverage to anyone who can pay the premium, regardless of existing health problems.

In the Senate, Clinton serves on the Armed Services Committee and has been a critic of the Bush administration's handling of Iraq after voting for the resolution to invade. She vows that if elected, she would begin bringing U.S. troops home in the first 60 days of her presidency.

Clinton worked to get the Children's Health Insurance Program for low-income children started and is pushing to expand it. For years she has warned of a looming climate-change crisis and says, as president, she would create a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund to jump-start development of alternative energies.

Clinton is a strong supporter of abortion rights, but also has worked on programs to reduce unwanted pregnancies. She fought the Bush administration to make the emergency contraceptive Plan B available to American women.

Hillary and Bill Clinton are a seemingly inseparable political team. What part he would play in his wife's administration is an important question, but not overriding. She has said his role would be advisory and unofficial.

We are endorsing Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee because her record of achievement is unmatched among the candidates - and is hers alone.

More on Chelsea Clinton's Utah Visit

SL Trib: Chelsea Clinton to campaign in Utah for Hillary

KSL: Chelsea Clinton to stump for mom in Utah

KUTV: Chelsea Clinton Will Come To Utah For Mom's Campaign

For Hillary it's "Full Speed Ahead"

Barack Obama's victory speech in South Carolina

Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama

CHICAGO, IL – In an op-ed published Sunday in The New York Times, Caroline Kennedy announced her support for Senator Barack Obama, citing his judgment in opposing the Iraq war from the start, his character in running a dignified campaign, and his ability to unite this entire nation around a common purpose.

Senator Obama said, “I am honored to have the support of Caroline Kennedy. Caroline has been a tireless advocate for providing every child with a quality education, most recently through her work with New York City’s public schools. And through her role in selecting Profile in Courage awardees, she has shined a spotlight on leaders who have the courage to tell people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. It’s also a special privilege to have this endorsement because I’ve always believed that Caroline’s father was one of our greatest presidents. At a time of great challenge at home and abroad, President Kennedy led this nation with judgment and courage, pulling the world back from the brink of war, calling a generation to service, and inspiring this entire nation to reach for new frontiers.”

Caroline Kennedy writes in her op-ed (LINK):

A President Like My Father
By CAROLINE KENNEDY
January 27, 2008
Op-Ed Contributor

"OVER the years, I've been deeply moved by the people who've told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn't that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates' goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents' grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."

Caroline Kennedy is the Vice Chair of the New York City Fund for Public Schools, a non-profit organization which seeks private sector support for public education. Since 2002, The Fund has raised more than $210 million in support of critical reform initiatives and enlisted record numbers of New Yorkers to volunteer in New York City schools. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School, Kennedy is an attorney and the author/editor of seven best-selling books on civil rights, American history, politics, and poetry including In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action, and A Pariot's Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love. She writes a column for TIME on the Power of One about people who are making a difference in their communities. Caroline Kennedy also serves on the Commission on Presidential Debates and the Profile In Courage Award Committee of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. She and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, have 3 children.

Chelsea Clinton to visit Utah Tuesday

Exciting news! Chelsea Clinton will be with us here in Utah this Tuesday (January 29, 2008) for the day.

As of this moment four events are planned but times and places are tentative and could change.

1-2 p.m. Town Hall Q & A, University of Utah Student Center Ballroon, 400-plus attendees, free, no tickets

3-4 p.m. Senior Citizens Meet and Greet Visit, North West Senior Center, 100 attendees, free not tickets

5:30-6:30 p.m. Town Hall Q & A, Weber State University, 150 attendees

7:30 to 9 p.m. Young Professionals Meet and Greet, Port O'Call, Salt Lake, 50+ attendees, $50 at the door or RSVP at www.HillaryClinton.com.

We will post Chelsea's official event agenda tomorrow evening.

A message from the Utah County Democrats

Briefing on Utah Democratic Legislative Priorities

Salt Lake City – Representative Brad King (D – Price), Representative David Litvack (D – Salt Lake City), Representative Carol Spackman Moss (D – Holladay) and Representative Phil Riesen (D – Salt Lake City) will hold their first Monday morning press briefing to unveil Democratic priorities for the 2008 legislative session.

House Democratic Leadership will hold their weekly press briefings each Monday morning at 9am.

First Meeting of Air Transportation Promotion Alliance Will Take Place Monday

Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will convene the inaugural meeting of the Air Transportation Promotion Alliance on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cannon Room at the City & County Building. The group was created and will be co-chaired by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Governor Jon Huntsman.

During the first meeting, the work of the newly formed Air Transportation Promotion Alliance will focus on addressing several air transportation issues that will be announced at the meeting.

WHO: Air Transportation Promotion Alliance

WHAT: Inaugural Meeting

WHERE: Salt Lake City & County Building

Third Floor

Cannon Room

WHEN: Monday, January 28, 2008 6:00 p.m.

"Back in the Day"

Do you remember back in the day before you were J.M. Bell, Militant Progressive, and I became Vice Boss Rob (nickname credit to AG Shurtleff), The Utah Amicus?

Back then you were Effie Mayflower Bell and I was simply known as Dude.

I had my fro, and you had your, ummm, well anyway, I had my fro.

Do you remember how PO'd Greggy C. and Curt B. got when we beat them out as student body officers at Olympus High? Those two were so jealous of us. We both had choppers, good looking girlfriends, and we could see over the counter at the 7-11 without a step-stool.

I wonder what Greggy was thinking that night when he tried to siphon gas out of your hog? Remember when we caught him and made he and Curt drink 3.2 beer until they puked? It only took two cans, and it may have seemed a bit harsh, but I'm sure at least one of them learned their lesson from the experience.

I can remember those hot summer nights when we used to be cruise down State Street listening to 2112 and Stairway to Heaven in my white convertible bug. We would drive around until we found our buddies Ethan , Tom, and Draino Bob. Do ya remember that night Bob fell out of the back of my car when he was trying to moon Misty on 13th East? LOL, what a dumbass!

Once we got the gang together we would head up to The Pie Pizzeria where Buttars worked. He may have always been begging for a ride but at least he was always good for a free Zappie.

Speaking of Buttars, can you remember that time he begged us to go to the KRSP bikini contest that was being held at Sugarhouse Park? Remember how he promised to give us gas money if we let him tag along, but instead he got busted selling a lid of wacky tobaccky to some undercover cop and was sent to some Southern Utah wilderness reform school where they beat the hell out of him. I think that's where he came up with that intelligent design thing. .

Well, those days are long gone and now we have to act all respectable and all, but those were some fun times Effie, whoops, I mean J.M., "Back in the Day."

Message to Tom DeLay: Who cares what you think?

Like most Americans, I'm puzzled by the vitriolic hatred many in the Republican Right have for John McCain. He has the epithet "RINO" slung at him more than anyone else in the Republican field - even though Rudy and Mitt have espoused positions far to the left of anything McCain has ever supported. Most ridiculous is when his critics cite his support of comprehensive immigration reform as proof of his rejection of everything Ronald Reagan held dear - when it was President Reagan who granted full blown amnesty to illegal immigrants in the Eighties.

The latest guy from the Right to weigh in on McCain's lack of conservative purity is Tom DeLay. Why the disgraced DeLay would think anyone would give a rat's behind about his opinion on anything is anyone's guess. Nevertheless, he announced this week that he would never vote for McCain for President - even if his opponent was the liberal Darth Vader-ess herself, Hillary Clinton.

I can understand DeLay's hatred of McCain. Knowing the history of both men, I'm sure McCain was a huge roadblock to DeLay's efforts to bloat the Federal budget with the most pork in history and sell Congress to his lobbyist buddies. No wonder DeLay hates the guy. Who wouldn't?

Suffice it to say, if Rush Limbaugh's constant attacks on McCain wasn't enough of an endorsement to convince average Americans he's the best guy on the Republican side, DeLay's anti-endorsement certainly should seal the deal.

URGENT! John Edwards asks Utahns to stand up for the Constitution

Dear Utahns,

When it comes to protecting the rule of law, words are not enough. We need action.

It's wrong for your government to spy on you. That's why I'm asking you to join me today in calling on Senate Democrats to filibuster revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would give "retroactive immunity" to the giant telecom companies for their role in aiding George W. Bush's illegal eavesdropping on American citizens.

The Senate is debating this issue right now -- which is why we must act right now. You can call your Senators here:

Robert F. Bennett, (R): (202) 224-5444
Orrin G. Hatch, (R): (202) 224-5251
Granting retroactive immunity is wrong. It will let corporate law-breakers off the hook. It will hamstring efforts to learn the truth about Bush's illegal spying program. And it will flip on its head a core principle that has guided our nation since our founding: the belief that no one, no matter how well connected or what office they hold, is above the law.

But in Washington today, the telecom lobbyists have launched a full-court press for retroactive immunity. George Bush and Dick Cheney are doing everything in their power to ensure it passes. And too many Senate Democrats are ready to give the lobbyists and the Bush administration exactly what they want.

Please join me in calling on every Senate Democrat to do everything in their power -- including joining Senator Dodd's efforts to filibuster this legislation -- to stop retroactive immunity and stand up for the rule of law. The Constitution should not be for sale at any price.

Thank you for taking action.

John Edwards
January 24, 2008

Utah House Democrats Applaud Passage of Veterans Hospital Funding Bill

SALT LAKE CITY - January 24, 2008 - Veterans in northern Utah and from around the Rocky Mountain west will now have access to a second Veterans’ Nursing Home.

Legislators in the Utah House of Representatives have passed HB 129 today, which appropriates $19.7 million dollars for design and construction of a Veterans’ Nursing Home in Ogden. The legislation, which will prepay the costs associated with the construction of the facility, states that no other nursing homes will be considered in Utah until the federal government repays the state of Utah.

Democrats, Representative Neil Hansen, Ogden and LaWanna Shurtliff , Ogden, have both been ardent supporters of the Veterans Nursing Home project, and it was Representative Hansen who suggested that the state appropriate the necessary funds to build the nursing home. A $5,000,000 bond has previously been appropriated by the legislature, and land for the building has been donated to the Veterans Administration for the nursing home, but the project had been stuck on a growing list of projects awaiting federal funds.

“Everyday that passes by is another day that we're not giving our veterans back something for their service," says Hansen. "I suggested to my colleagues in the legislature that we find a way to fund the project with state dollars and have the federal government come in and reimburse us."

Representative Shurtliff agrees. “The Veterans Administration has wanted this for so long, and Utah veterans have needed this for so long. I feel strongly that we need this to happen, and I was even willing to sponsor the bill so that we could get things moving,” said Shurtliff.

It was Representative Hansen who suggested that the appropriation be included in the Governor’s budget.

“I approached the Governor’s office and asked them to consider adding this to the governor’s budget. I am pleased that we are moving forward.”

The federal government will also pay nearly all operating costs of the nursing home.

Support the “real McCoy” renewable energy standard

Utahns are lucky. Our state has an abundance of waste-free, carbon-free, renewable sources of energy. Yet as our air gets dirtier and our climate hotter and drier, just 0.5% of our energy generation comes from renewable sources.

We can and must do better. As the Utah State Legislative Session begins this week we have a chance to do just that. This session, Sen. Scott McCoy (D-Salt Lake) is sponsoring a bill that sets a standard of 25% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025, while also promising renewable energy development in rural Utah. 26 states already have similar standards, though none have ever been proposed in Utah.

Unfortunately, Rocky Mountain Power--the state's largest electric utility--is pushing a competing bill that could stifle renewable energy development in Utah. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo), puts Rocky Mountain Power in the driver's seat while giving the utility every opportunity and excuse to put the brakes on actually delivering renewable energy to Utahns.

Join HEAL Utah, the Sierra Club, and others next Wednesday for a citizen lobby day and press conference to support the "real McCoy" renewable energy standard and help us show the legislature that Utahns want meaningful renewable energy legislation now.

What: “Real McCoy” Renewable Energy Citizen Lobby Day and Press Conference
Where: Utah State Capitol Rotunda
When: Wednesday, January 30th
11:45am - 12:30pm Press Conference
9:30am - 11:30am Citizen Lobbying (see below for details)

Even though 92% of Utahns polled support increased government incentives and investment in renewable energy, Rocky Mountain Power's bill is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing that could stall renewable energy development in Utah for decades.

While the utility's bill sets an "aspirational goal" of 20% renewable energy by 2025, it is entirely voluntary and up to Rocky Mountain Power's whim to comply or not. Incredibly, the proposal includes no intermediate benchmarks or plan to go from where we are today at 0.5% renewable energy to the 20% goal. And, it would allow dirty power like nuclear and coal with carbon sequestration to reduce the renewable energy goal.

Worst of all, the bill guarantees Rocky Mountain Power a monopoly on Utah's wind and solar resources by preventing small-scale renewable energy developers from entering the market. That means the businesses, communities, and entrepreneurs that are actually doing the work right now to deliver Utah's renewable resources to Utahns would no longer be allowed to compete.

That's like Congress deciding that because GM manufactures Hummers, they should be the only car company allowed to put hybrids on the road.

Rocky Mountain Power builds large, centralized coal and gas-fired power plants, which does not necessarily make them the best company to bring renewables to the market. So why should the State Legislature guarantee Rocky Mountain Power a monopoly on that market? It's an outrageous proposal that flies in the face of the free-enterprise, entrepreneurial spirit our elected leaders claim to hold dear.

Thankfully, Sen. McCoy's bill is the real deal. It helps identify where the state's best renewable energy resources are located and establishes an enforceable renewable energy standard of 25% to make sure those resources are actually developed. The Real McCoy doesn't include the handouts, caveats, and loopholes that pervade Rocky Mountain Power's bill. In other words, it delivers renewable energy to Utahns and creates a market to attract clean energy jobs and investment to our state.

Can you join us next Wednesday, January 30th, to stand with Sen. McCoy andsupport his plan for Utah's renewable energy future? We need your support to make sure the Legislature does more than pay lip service to renewable energy this legislative session.

To participate in our citizen lobby day, please contact jessica@healutah.org or tim.wagner@sierraclub.org and look for the HEAL Utah/Sierra Club table in the East Building cafeteria any time between 9:30 and 11:30am (you don't need any experience-we'll give you pointers and a quick tutorial when you arrive at the check-in table). And make sure to join us in the Capitol Building Rotunda at 11:45am for the press conference.

From Hillary TV: Hillary on Alternative Energy

Hillary will end our dependence on foreign oil with a plan that invests in alternative energy and takes away the tax subsidies from oil companies.

Utahns for Hillary to Make Important Campaign Announcement Today

SALT LAKE CITY, UT –Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich and former State Democratic Party Chair Donald Dunn will join Utahns for Hillary to make an important campaign announcement today, Thursday, January 24th, at the State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City at 2:15 p.m. MST.

Thursday, January 24

Senate Minority Leader Dmitrich and Utahns for Hillary to Make Campaign Announcement
2:15 p.m. MST
Senate Democratic Caucus Room
Room 455
Utah State Capital Building.
Salt Lake City, UT
OPEN PRESS

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker to Host Community Open House at Historic Fisher Mansion

Public Invited to Tour and Give Input on Potential Reuse of the Property

Salt Lake City – Mayor Ralph Becker is hosting an Open House at the historic Fisher Mansion to give residents of Salt Lake City an opportunity to tour the building and offer their input and suggestions on how Salt Lake City could best reuse the property and create a public space that serves the community in a positive way.

The Fisher Mansion is an architecturally unique historical treasure which the city hopes to renovate for community use. Visitors to the open house will be encouraged to share their ideas for future community use of the mansion, carriage house and property.

Renovation of Fisher Mansion is the first project to be undertaken under Mayor Becker’s Salt Lake Solutions program. Salt Lake Solutions is a collaborative approach that involves the community, considers a wide range of ideas and options, and arrives at public solutions based on healthy dialogue and consensus.

The Fisher Mansion adjoins the Jordan River parkway, and is ideally located for public access by bus, from TRAX and via bike paths. While specific decisions about renovation and reuse of the property will be made in conjunction with the community and other potential partners, the City anticipates the renovation will advance historic preservation, tie together our waterways and urban trails network, expand cultural offerings, and showcase environmental stewardship.

WHO: Mayor Ralph Becker

WHAT: Open House at the Fisher Mansion

WHERE: 1206 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2008

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Davis County Clipper Party Lines: Should county pay flouridation fee?

DEMOCRAT: Last month, the Utah Supreme Court ordered Davis County to pay court fees to Utahns for Better Dental Health (UBDH) from the failed fluoridation re-vote of 2002. In short, it was a victory for “the little guy”. The top court made their decision based on the private attorney general doctrine (PAGD) from a similar Utah case in 1994. In both cases, it was determined that citizens should not be discouraged from challenging any law in the courts because of the high cost of litigation.

Todd Weiler, more than likely, will argue the legal aspects of government paying court fees as well as the illegal initiative that started the litigation process. However, it is doubtful that he will mention the political abuses of our elected Republicans that resulted in a lawsuit.

Our County leaders should have known better and should have stopped the pursuit of a re-vote. But, the County’s indifferent attitude towards the citizens of Davis County has shown us yet another example of the taxpayers being betrayed. Consequently, the attempted re-vote procedures made by our elected county officials have brought up some important points.

One question that should be asked, who is running our government?

In May of 2001, a petition was initiated and illegally signed by Steve Rawlings, Dannie McConkie, and Mel Wilson. Clearly, these elected officials went beyond their duties as public officers. The re-vote petition had numerous flaws which made it illegal. Those actions included the absence of a petition application from the State of Utah and the petition should have been filed as a referendum, not as an initiative. When UBDH challenged the illegal petition, the court found in favor of the plaintiffs, but did not allow UBDH to collect court fees from Davis County. UBDH then appealed the court fee decision, all the way to the Supreme Court.

During the appeal process, County Clerk, Steve Rawlings, decided to not use our county attorneys and hired an outside law firm to represent Davis County. Of course, this action only increased of the cost of litigation and is now being paid by us, the taxpayers. Furthermore, Rawlings met privately with the hired attorneys without any County Commissioner present.

Whether or not someone is for or against fluoridation is irrelevant. The point is that our County Government is broken.

Over the years, I have constantly pointed out the hazards of keeping a one-party government in place. The actions from our County Clerk’s office and the inaction from our County Commissioners, unquestionably has shown there are no checks and balances in Davis County. Fortunately, citizens can challenge our one-party government abuses with PAGD. But, the real solution is more obvious. Elect more Democrats.

Of course, some will ask, why should I vote for a Democrat, just because he is a Democrat? A point that could be valid, except for this question: why should anyone vote for a Republican, just because they are a Republican?

Integrity and most of all, open debate, has to return to the people’s government.

Richard Watson,

Chair, Davis County Democratic Party

REPUBLICAN: In November 2000, Davis County voted 52-48 in favor of adding fluoride to the public water supplies. A group of citizens opposed to fluoridation subsequently sought to have a 2002 revote on the issue. Treating their petition for a revote with almost 10,000 signatures as an initiative petition, the Davis County Clerk submitted the petition to the Davis County Commission, which took no action. He then stated that he would place the opinion question on the ballot for the 2002 general election.

Utahns For Better Dental Health (UFBDH) challenged the constitutionality of revote in 2002 on the basis that the petition was actually an untimely referendum, and filed a lawsuit to prevent it. It won, and the 2002 revote was nixed. At that point, the battle for attorney’s fees began. Five years later, the Utah Supreme Court ruled in a 4-1 decision that the County has to pay UFBDH’s attorney’s fees pursuant to the private attorney’s general doctrine.

The private attorney general doctrine applies to societally important public policies. The threshold issue is whether an important right affecting the public interest has been vindicated. The court ruled that a revote based on an untimely petition for referendum would undermine the majority vote in favor of adding fluoride in 2000.

The county was placed in a difficult position when it received a petition with almost 10,000 signatures calling for a revote. The law at that time was unclear on how often a revote could take place, and it has since been clarified. It is hard to fault county officials for erring on the side of allowing the citizens to vote – but the court found that a second vote under those circumstances would undermine the first one.

Since the court found that all of the elements were satisfied, I believe that the county should pay attorney’s fees for the lawsuit. But for the filing of the lawsuit, the county would have allowed the 2002 revote based on an untimely, and therefore flawed, petition.

I do not believe that attorney’s fees should be blocked in all such instances. I will admit that I am biased to the extent that I make my living off of attorney’s fees and I am currently pursuing a case against a private individual pursuant to the private attorney doctrine. I fear that too many important cases would never see the light of day if the possibility of an attorney’s fee award was taken off the table in these instances.

We do, however, have draw the line to protect the public’s treasury. Although this case was arguably a close call, UFBDH did jump through several hoops before it was awarded fees: (1) it showed that the county was acting on an untimely petition; (2) it won in court (and on two appeals); and (3) it prevailed on an issue that was one of significant public interest.

Todd Weiler

Vice Chair, Utah Republican Party