These are classic discussions published back in June 2011

Is President Obama Nothing More Than a Polished Demagogue?

June 29, 2011
I think I can speak to government budgeting with some expertise. In the Utah Legislature, I’ve now helped balance a government budget for 11 consecutive years. (For the slow students — let’s call them “congressmen” to protect their anonymity — that means matching tax revenues to government expenditures).  With the downturn in 2001, the latest economic cliff, and some interspersed irrational exuberance, it has been a wild ride — requiring serious discussions and serious players. And, further bolstering my claim to government budgeting expertise, reviewers recognize Utah as the best-managed state in the nation. Yes, it’s like being the fastest sloth, but still . . .. An institutional discipline I picked up upon entering the Utah Legislature is that budget discussions are not demagogued. Are there exceptions? Of course. Do we ever demagogue policy issues? Well, . . .. But, if a legislator wants to meaningfully participate in budget discussions, hyperbole and demagoguery aren’t useful tools. We are fact driven. (Again, though, maybe that’s like the fastest... (read more)
2 Comments

Should Utah’s Amnesty and Enforcement Bills Be Married?

June 26, 2011
The Trib reports that a movement is trying to couple the repeal of HB 116 (the state-based amnesty bill) to the repeal of HB 497 (the enforcement bill). The article notes that some legislators favor such a coupling because they considered the two bills to be a package. I did not consider the two bills to be a package. I voted for HB 497 and against HB 116, the first being wise and constitutional, the latter being neither. Utah is a conservative state. Repeal of HB 116 is being discussed, because conservatives don’t like it and are successfully organizing against it. No such movement exists on the right side of the aisle regarding HB 497. Thus, coupling actions on the two bills does not properly reflect or address the political reality. Amnesty and enforcement do not tip the scales evenly in Utah. Enforcement, not amnesty, carries the day with the people. HB 497 should stay in place, and HB 116 should be repealed.
3 Comments

Repeal HB 116

June 19, 2011
I’ve been asked several times today if I would run a bill to undo 3 HB 116. Sure. Why wouldn’t I? I thought it was a bad idea from the start, I voted against it, and my constituents hate it. So, if representative democracy means anything, I have a duty to try and repeal it. 3 HB 116 is an amnesty bill. Of course, the State of Utah lacks authority to grant amnesty. So, it’s called a guest worker bill. Of course, the State of Utah lacks authority to create a guest worker program. So, it’s an aspirational bill. Which, of course, means it is a fiction. And, that is why the rhetoric is so over the top on all sides. The discussion is tethered to air and emotion, rather than being grounded in fact and reality. The arguments in favor of 3 HB 116 remind me of the false options that President Obama enjoys (e.g., “We can cower from the future and... (read more)
12 Comments

  • Twitter