After an hour and fifteen minutes of oral presentations, the Utah State Supreme Court has recessed and will return at 2 pm with a decision regarding the Voucher issue before them. Click HERE for audio link.

Fascinating, simply fascinating.

And you said listening to attorneys drone on and on ad nauseam was going to be boring.  Pish!

On occasion, some really invaluable information trickles down from…someone, somewhere.  Heaven sent? No. But, nonetheless…great stuff.  And sometimes, it’s easier for me to take the heat and give you some great information, than for others at the “top” to “go public.”  The recent “dismissal” of two attorneys at the Utah State Office of Education has raised eyebrows and caused some to wonder where the Constitutional, “legal” authority lies within the state regarding the Voucher issue–particularly since the State Board of Education has refused to make employment adjustments since the “dismissal.”  Click HERE for SLTrib article related to the “stripping” of Carol Lear’s attorney privileges.

Click HERE for 2002 finding.  A MUST READ if you are distracted while listening to the Utah State Supreme Court hearing on Vouchers (link), this morning at 10 am.

Unfortunately, this year, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. has decided to withhold his “valuable” stamp of approval from one of the GOP candidates running for Republican Party Chairman.  Instead, he has uncharacteristically stepped back from the opportunity to endorse the clear front-runner–Stan Lockhart.  No doubt, it was a difficult decision for Mr. Huntsman to make.  After all, everybody knows the Governor.

That won’t be the case for me, however.  I’ll spend my Political Capital right here.

I’ve thought for some time now that Stan would be the best choice for the job.  Others have felt as I have about Stan’s strength as a leader and administrator.  And as the pack of candidates has increased over the weeks, my opinion has not changed.  Stan is still the Man for this job.

Look, like you, my mailbox has been filled-to-overflowing with campaign materials and endorsements.  I’ve received the phone calls, the letters, the postcard-sized mailers.  Shiver-me-timbers, I’ve even been invited to pre-election screenings and Hollywood-style costume parties.  You’re a good sport, Mark.  (Oops, wrong link!)

So, like you, I’ve meticulously read every line of every letter, and, I’ve listened to every recorded, paid political advertisement.  I’ve looked for something…anything…that would entice me to another candidate.  I can’t find it.  So, tomorrow morning, bright and early (if I can get past Bramble the Pitbull Credentials Chair) I’ll be casting my vote for…

Stan Lockhart as our next Republican State Party Chairman!

Tomorrow morning at 10 am, the Utah State Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguements from a number of individuals scheduled to testify for and against the Education Voucher/Ballot Title issue.

Gay Taylor (Lead Counsel) will represent the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (20 minutes).  Members of the Utah State Legislature, for and against, will each take 20 minutes.  Thom Roberts from the AG’s Office will represent Lt. Governor Gary Herbert’s office (20 minutes).

Click HERE for Audio Link, Friday at 10 am.

Utah’s Partial Partial-Birth Abortion Ban injunction has been lifted.  On May 31, 2007, Utah’s Federal District Court lifted the injuction on Utah’s Partial-Birth Abortion Ban statute as well as dismissed the case that challenged the statute.

For more information and documentation links, see the Senate Site by clicking HERE.