Day 12.  Elliptical trainer:  40:00 minutes, 633 calories, 4.14 miles; 210 crunches; weight: 191.0 pounds 

Talk Show Host Bob Lonsberry (KNRS 570 radio) has written an excellent book, BAGHDAD CHRISTMAS ($5.99, Cedar Fort Publishing).  My opinion, it’s a quick read (45 short pages, about an hour, couldn’t put it down), brought a tear to my eye, and reminded me of the good things in my life–spouse, family, country, freedom, and god.  Every teenager needs to hear this story before Thanksgiving.  The story of a young-married LDS granadier on patrol in Baghdad on Christmas day…don’t try to imagine the rest, buy a copy.

Day 11.  Elliptical trainer: 40:00 minutes, 620 calories, 4.12 miles; 200 crunches; weight 190.6 pounds.

OK…let me get this out of the way first thing…John Hughes, Editor of the Deseret Morning News is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and I am a Political Internet Blogger Hack.  (Remember, this is just my dumb blog!)  There! Now there should be no misunderstanding as you read this post.  Oh…there’s one more disclaimer just in case this post begins to taste a little like sour grapes.  I have been misquoted or partially quoted or taken out of context in the newspaper before—imagine that!

Perusing the newspapers yesterday morning (the on-line versions–I don’t like getting the offset print ink on my hands), I ran across an article in the Deseret Morning News, written by Elaine Jarvik, referencing remarks made by John Hughes at a local Rotary Club luncheon on Tuesday.  Mr. Hughes’ comments, according to his own paper, which I’m guessing he edited before it went to print (a luxury of being the Editor), centered on his belief that the “newspaper industry will survive even the Internet.”

Further, the Hughes article noted that intense competition between agencies creates an abnormal amount of eagerness between some reporters.  As the intensifying demands of news coverage will…well…intensify, some news reporters and news agencies will “invent,” “manipulate,” “overstate,” or “misrepresent” stories and events—all in an effort to sell “papers” (and advertising, too, I guess).  Mr. Hughes, according to the article, also affirmed that news reporters who don’t report “truthfully” or who “don’t get it straight,” and “betray” their profession, get fired!  Despite the competitive nature and increasing pressure of the industry on their reporters (and Editors) to get it quick and get it right, Hughes believes the “outlook is not all bleak.”

David vs. Goliath

Hughes also warned that anyone can “report” online but “there is no news on the Internet unless there’s a news organization behind it…” **  WOW! That’s quite a statement.  I wonder how Matt Drudge is feeling right about now? or, the good folks down at Utah Policy Daily? (who have professed to doing their jobs in their jammies)…  A statement like that would almost make one believe traditional newspaper agencies feel a little threatened (it’s kind of a reverse psychology thing) by the smaller, lighter-on-their-feet, disorganized folks.  The big boys can’t possibly feel threatened by the “David-like” internet news individuals and groups—can they?!

The Gift of Retraction

Newspaper and television agencies have certainly produced their share of sacrificial lambs as of late—what was that guy’s name?  Dave…no…Dick…no…Dan…yeah that’s it.   Careless reporting should be avoided like the plague.  Yet, fallible professionals will make errors–intentionally or unintentionally (words we like to use in the legislature).   That’s where the “gift of retraction” comes in.  Thank goodness for “the retraction.”  “The retraction” solves everything!  “The retraction” allows the free-press to say nearly anything (protected by the First Amendment) and not have to print a plea for forgiveness in the same location the “mistake” was originally printed.

Some newspaper reporters climb all over themselves to be the first to report the “hot” story—and, sometimes they just don’t get it right.  Sometimes the story just isn’t completely…well…complete.  This is the perfect application of “the retraction.”  Newspapering is a competitive business. And, the “hot” story becomes a means, a vehicle to create popularity within the newspaper industry. And, popularity means a bigger paycheck.  And, we’re all really just capitalists at heart.  Remember, if papers don’t sell, advertisers don’t buy space, and salaries don’t get paid…and…newspapers…well…newspapers become… electronic media.  What a tremendous amount of pressure.  I haven’t even mentioned the excessive pressure created by the ominous “deadline.”  But, I digress…

When newspapers erroneously print the “facts” in their publications, many newspapers  believe it’s their “ethical” responsibility to print a clarification or correction (even though not bound by the First Amendment to do so).  Newspapers do this all the time.  In fact, the Deseret News has printed a clarification or correction 17 times in the last month–some of them inconsequential, others relatively monumental.  Unfortunately, the favorite location in some papers for these retractions or clarifications is in the lower right hand corner of even numbered pages.  Or, in the case of the online version, at the bottom of the left hand column embedded among a cluster of other links (and in relatively small type, too).

Remember, I Haven’t Won a Pulitzer Prize

Newspapers seem restricted and encumbered, to a large degree, by the amount of paper they can produce day-to-day.  After all, you can only stick so much newspaper copy between all that advertising.  But, the internet…ahhh…the Internet has unlimited space and isn’t hindered by the insatiable capitalistic hunger for competing for finite advertising dollars.

Discounting the notion that newspapers are the source of all truth, and that individuals can’t stick to the facts without a fact checker (where’s Joe Friday when you need him), I am convinced inexpensive, readily available personal media resources are the next big advancement in setting the record straight.  In less than a blink of an eye an individual can advance his/her message to the masses without being misquoted, partially quoted, or taken out of context.  And all this is available to the common, ordinary man relatively quick and inexpensive through the wonderful world of electronic, personalized communication—the Internet.  Do you really believe the old-fashioned media doesn’t feel threatened by this?  (They’re still using offset printing.) 

Even the Utah House Democrat Minority has resorted to using a blog to communicate their point-of-view, giving themselves greater flexibility to quickly and accurately define their agenda.  No longer do they have to wait for the next morning’s paper to send their message out.  Type it, hit send and…Zing!  Off it goes.  The only problem…now there’s a permanent record of what you’ve said.  (Right, Ralph?!)  By introducing personalized communication, perhaps they have, to a large degree, alienated the left-leaning newspaper groups by divesting themselves of the liberal media’s companionship.  You’ve served your purpose, now be off with you…

If there’s no longer a demand for front door-stoop delivery by the neighborhood paperboy because the paper’s already sitting electronically on the desk in the den through hundreds of local, state, national, and global media resources, can the good ‘ol boys down at the chronicle compete with the ever increasing, reliable sources for news and information on the web?

We shall see.

** Quoted from the deseretnews.com Wednesday, September 27, 2006, Newspapers will survive Internet, editor says; Jarvik, Elaine
 
[Sorry, for the fine print] Corrections/Clarifications:  The statement by Mr. Hughes should read, “there is no news on the Internet unless there’s a news organization behind it, and that’s generally a newspaper.”  Ahhh!  The Caveat.  Much better.

Day 10.  40:00 minutes on elliptical trainer, 4.12 miles, 609 calories.  190 crunches.  Weight 193.4 pounds.

Rep Steve Urquhart, Utah House Majority Whip, weighs in on the events during the recent 4th Special Session of the 2006 Legislature.  Steve and I discuss the new Sales Tax Option for Transportation, impacts to Washington County on new transportation funding, The “J2″ Plan, the new Dual-Personal Income Tax Plan, and what it means for Utah.

Click HERE to listen.

Day 9. Elliptical trainer: 3.11 miles, 30:00 minutes, 464 calories; Stationary bike: 2.42 miles, 10 minutes, 88 calories.  180 crunches.  Energy level was lower than normal this morning.  Weight 193.6 pounds.

Day #7 — Off

Day #8 – 41:00 minutes elliptical, 4.03 miles, 640 calories, 194.6 pounds (gained a pound-one too many of those awesome smoothies over the weekend). 170 crunches.

Often, people are surprised when they find out my legislative job is a part-time occupation.  For example, at the gym Wednesday morning I ran into an acquaintance and he inquired as to how things were going at the Capitol.  I responded by telling him that we (the Legislature and Governor) had just past an historical dual personal income tax-reform package and gave local governments authorization to further fund additional urgent, prioritized transportation needs.

He explained someday he’d like to get involved in the legislature and inquired as to the salary of a Representative.  That’s always a loaded question.  I enjoy watching the jaw drop of the individual asking the question (the implication, often, is legislators are a bunch of “fat cats” making exorbitant amounts of cash on the backs of the citizenry).  $120 a day, was my answer.  $120 a day?!  Gulp!  And then the next, almost predictable, obligatory, sympathetic question:  How do you live on that?  Well, the fact is, I don’t live on that.  And if it weren’t for my “real” job in the structural steel industry, I could never afford to serve in the state legislature.

Frankly, I, and most Utah State legislators take a substantial “hit” salary-wise to serve in the legislature.  Many legislators stack-up “comp” time and use vacation days at their non-legislative places of employment just so they can take a leave-of-absence for 45 days (33 weekdays).  Many, like myself, are self-employed.  A hand-full of legislators are retired.  And, yet another group subsist on their spouse’s income.

Citizen Legislature

Utah’s Constitution (1896) establishes a citizen legislature.  Since that time, the non-professional, bi-cameral body (House and Senate) has worked diligently to keep government close to the people.  Many special-interest groups believe Utah’s rapid population growth warrants a professional or full-time, centralized legislature—“legislators who can focus in perpetuity on the needs of the people.”  I would simply respond to these individuals and special-interest groups…look at what’s happened to Washington D.C. since the days of our Part-Time Founders.  Case closed.

Constitutional Compensation

The Utah State Constitution also establishes the compensation of the Legislature through a citizen’s salary commission appointed by the Governor.  (By the way, the legislature in turn establishes the salaries of the Executive Branch—there’s a CHECK & BALANCE for ya’!)

  Article VI, Section 9.   [Compensation of legislators -- Citizens' salary commission.]
     The Legislature shall not increase the salaries of its members on its own initiative, but shall provide by law for the appointment by the Governor of a citizens’ salary commission to make recommendations concerning the salaries of members of the Legislature. Upon submission of the commission’s recommendations, the Legislature shall by law accept, reject or lower the salary but may not, in any event, increase the recommendation. The Legislature shall provide by law for the expenses of its members. Until salaries and expenses enacted as authorized by this section become effective, members of the Legislature shall receive compensation of $25 per diem while actually in session, expenses of $15 per diem while actually in session, and mileage as provided by law. (Bolding Added)

Also, from the Utah State Legislative Rules book:  JR-13.06. Compensation.
 
Legislators shall receive the compensation established in Section 36-2-2 and expenses as provided by Joint Rule. (Bolding Added) 
 
(Source: Rules of the Fifty-Sixth Legislature, State of Utah 2006 (Updated February 3, 2006)
 
Also, from the State Code, Statute, Law, whatever you want to call it… 

36-2-3.   Salaries of members set by Legislature based on recommendations of Legislative Compensation Commission.

     (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), the salaries of members of the Legislature shall automatically be set beginning January 1st of each odd-numbered year at the amount recommended by the Legislative Compensation Commission in the preceding even-numbered year.
     (b) This salary recommendation shall be based on either:
     (i) a daily basis:
     (A) for each calendar day for annual general sessions; and
     (B) for each day a legislator attends veto-override and special sessions and other authorized legislative meetings; or
     (ii) an annualized salary.
     (2) (a) The Legislature during the even-numbered annual general session in the year just preceding the effective date of any salary change may reject or lower the salary recommendation, but may not increase the salary recommendation.
     (b) If the Legislature does not act as provided in Subsection (2)(a), they have by law accepted the Legislative Compensation Commission’s recommendations. 

Let’s Do The Math Together…Shall We?! 

By state constitutional mandate the legislature is convened on the third Monday of January and runs forty-five continuous days (ends first week of March) for the General Session.  While not in General Session, legislators typically meet once a month on the third Wednesday in their Interim Committee Meetings.  Usually, there are no Interim Meetings in March or August.  However, each legislator is assigned to a Sub-Appropriations Committee and will meet twice during the Interim months.  Also, a two day “Site Visit” is not uncommon during the Interim when legislators will travel to various locations throughout the state to visit with local and county governments about issues facing their constituency—this year’s visit was scheduled to the Uintah Basin (Roosevelt and Vernal). Legislators are also compensated for their reasonable expenses while conducting authorized state business.  (Article VI, Section 9 Utah State Constitution.) 

OK…let’s do the math.   45 days (General Session) + nine days (Interim) + two days (Sub-Appropriations) = 56 days (Total).   56 days (Total) x $120/day = $6,720.   WOW!  Did I total that up correctly?  45 + 9 + 2 = 56, and 56 x 120 = 6,720.  Yup, that’s correct.  (I won’t even get into the “less taxes” part.)

Now, the real question to ask is:  How many constituents would re-elect their legislators, from term-to-term, if they only spent 56 days a year hanging out at the Capitol?  None.  Right.  The remainder of a Legislator’s “spare” time throughout the year is spent blogging (sorry, old habits…) holding town meetings, addressing constituent needs, working with County and Municipal leaders on local concerns, etc., etc., etc.  These are the uncompensated hours (many unrecorded) legislators spend away from their spouses, families, and personal pursuits, all in an effort to understand the needs of the individuals in their districts.

Shortly after I was appointed to the Legislature by former Governor Michael Leavitt, a Utah County Legislator and I had a conversation on this very topic.  She explained that for one year she maintained meticulous records of her legislative salary and expenses, also, the hours she spent while working with constituents, General Session, and Interim time.  After tabulating all the bills, the grand total…55¢.   That’s right 55 cents an hour!  I would assume if most legislators accounted for each nickel (and hour), the results would be similar.

It’s A Pleasure To Serve

 Hopefully, you can sense from this blog, legislators don’t work for the pay.  There are many reasons and motivations for why individuals would work for 55 cents an hour (Many of them not rational).   Some feel a sense of civic responsibility.  Some are natural leaders and find an outlet for their talents on the floor and in the committee rooms of the Capitol.  Many have a deep respect, even love, for their neighborhoods and communities. (You ought to see Rep. Mike Noel when he gets passionate about Southern Utah!)  And, yet others have their own personal reasons…(we won’t share here).  Nonetheless, it is a distinct honor to represent the good people of the State of Utah.

 Thank you for the opportunity to serve! 

Day number six.  193.4 pounds, 30:00 minutes on the cross-trainer, 3.11 miles, 467 calories; 10:00 minutes on the stationary bike, 2.49 miles, 90 calories; 160 crunches.  That wraps up the week with a weight loss of about 9 pounds.  This is much faster weight loss than will happen in the future. But, today I felt good.

Here’s a great low fat treat:  Banana-Strawberry Smoothie

Contents: one banana (100 calories), one non-fat BYU Creamery strawberry yogurt with real chunks of fruit (200 calories); 8 oz. non-fat milk (90 calories); 6 oz. crushed ice; put it all in a blender.  390 calories total (0.5 grams of unsaturated fat from the banana).  Enjoy.

Now, you can’t just use any kind of yogurt in this smoothie–It has to be from the Creamery.  I know there’ll be a rush on the BYU Creamery now that my secret’s out.  The best, least expensive way to purchase the yogurt will be in the 5 pound buckets–substantially cheaper.  IT’s THE BEST!