Huntsman still in charge

Lisa Riley Roche’s article in the Deseret News this morning on Gov. Huntsman’s continued absence from Utah’s limelight…prior to his US Senate confirmation hearings to become the US Ambassador to China.

Just back from a trip to Washington DC, and having just spent 15-20 minutes reviewing the Founding Documents of our Nation on display in the National Archives…my mind has reflected on the miraculous events surrounding the passing of the “voice” of the Declaration of Independence, and its “pen.”   John Adams (the voice) and Thomas Jefferson (the pen) of This Document, died on the same day…Independence Day, July 4, 1826.

Just remember as you link to this Deseret News Editorial about UTOPIA…this day was “never” supposed to come…and, now it’s standing  at the door.  Also, remember this D-News article isn’t mine…it’s theirs.  And, remember when a governmentally guaranteed telecom system took sales-tax pledges only as a “back-up, just in case”…they really DID plan to use them…that’s why they took them.

Political strategist and editorialist, LaVarr Webb (Utah Policy Daily), suggests in a recent article in UPD that the 4-day work week adopted by the Huntsman Administration on August 4, 2008 for state departments and divisions isn’t working.  Furthermore, Webb suggests that incoming governor, Gary Herbert should seriously consider changing things back to the way they were previous to the 10-hour day change.   Mr. Webb also asks the legislature to further study the effectiveness of such a consolidated schedule.  Well, Mr. Webb…be careful what you ask for…

Tomorrow morning at approximately 10:30 am, the Government Operations & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee will begin an extensive review of the notorious 4-Day Work Week.  Mr. Webb isn’t the only person who feels this action by Governor Huntsman may have been a bit “hasty” in its implementation.  Agenda Item #7 on the Committee’s docket will be broadcast over the Internet  for the citizens of the State of Utah (and the world for that matter) to listen in.  Search le.utah.gov and look under “What’s Happening Today.”  Find the “Listen” link (flashing), click on it, and spend the morning with us.  Or, come on up in person to the House Building (West Building) Room 30.  All committee meetings are free and open to the public.

Rep. Craig Frank (House Co-Chair), will chair the meeting beginning at 9 am.  The Committee will hear a presentation by Mr. Jeff Herring (Dept. Human Resource Management) and Mr. Michael Hansen (Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget) discussing the governor’s work efficiency tool and how that tool is working for our state.

Should be interesting!  Join us.

This video was recently produced by the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools (UAPCS). The video clearly makes the case that charter school growth in Utah (and other states) should be a bi-partisan effort.

This Town Hall Meeting at the White House was originally broadcast March 26, 2009

You really need to read this article by Bob Bernick in the Deseret News.  Of course, the UEA will not point out that my voting record on Public Education is nothing less than supportive.  (Remember, the UEA is not Public Education.)

Said (Vic) Arnold: “We actually give about as much to keep good (GOP) moderates in the Legislature as we do to elect Democrats — it is a top priority for us” to continue to oppose some of the policies of “the radical right wing” of the Utah Republican Party.

“I am sure there never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a divine interpositionin their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe, that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God, who is alone able to protect them.”  

– George Washington

Joel Campbell writes for the  Mormon Times.  His latest article is probably what I would consider the most objective approach to the whole Huntsman-Ambassador-Mormon frenzy “event” to hit the web-world since this whole thing “blew up.”  Joel and I have spoken on a few occassions…I consider him…thoughtful, rational, and objective.