Jim Matheson Currently Speaking at Utah House of Represntatives

-Talked about stimulus packages

-Now is the time to get in line for federal transportation dollars, as those requests are going to increase with $100 a barrel oil.

-talked about energy.

-moving to get tailings pile in Moab cleaned up. Pushing things forward.

-Pushing efforts to research wireless communication to aid in communicating with miners who may be trapped.

-He told legislators to tell constituents that come to them for federal problems to feel free to call him.

-Asked by Becky Lockhart about spending monies on I15, I80, etc outside of SLC.
--Rep Lockhart also asked about receiving fed gas tax money back to spend as we please. Rep. Matheson says more gas tax money is spent in Utah than Utah pays.

-Was asked by Rep Barrus about oil shale.

-Matheson said hi from the dias to Rep Bowman and said he glad to see Bowman present. Rep Bowman thanked Matheson for his personal get well note.

The State of South Utah

JC Carter (not Chavez), writing on JMBell's blog, talks about HJR 6:

Evidently Neal B. Hendrickson has decided that he’s had enough of us “Wasatch-Front Northerners” and is asking for Utah’s Dixie to secede from our glorious Deseret union!

Yep, that’s right, folks! One of the new bills that will be considered by the state legislature this session calls for exactly that: A separate state whose northern border would start at the southern end of Utah County.

However, by reading the text of this resolution, you see that Hendrickson is trying to make a point:

WHEREAS, the history of this nation, and its unique legacy to governments throughout the world, demonstrates that representation of the people is the most sure way to preserve freedom;

WHEREAS, citizens in the more populated areas of northern Utah have many interests that stand in stark contrast to the interests of southern rural areas of the state, which feel they do not have the influence on state policymaking that citizens along the Wasatch Front enjoy;

WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 3 of the United States Constitution states in part, "New
States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress";

WHEREAS, the creation of a separate state, consisting of the southern portion of the present state of Utah with a northern boundary stretching east and west across the present state of Utah at the southern border of Utah County, would provide the citizens of what is presently southern Utah increased access to their state government;

It will be fun to see this one discussed.

Oh, and to further prove that Southern Utah is underrepresented, Hendrickson represents West Valley City.

His Gerrymandered District:

Aaron Titon Bored by Supreme Justice

There was a joint session of the House and Senate that just ended. Theye were in joint session to hear an update on the State of the Judiciary from te Cheif Justace of the Utah Supreme Court.

Representative Aaron Tilton seemed bored by the speech. I shot this at the end, and this is the most he paid attention in the 20 minute speech:



-Bob

Quote of the Morning

Speaker Curtis was having some trouble with the computers on his desk. This was what he said:

"You guys should see this. It's like the Starship Enterprise with three different screens. I don't know why."

Now, let's compare.

The Bridge of the Starship Enterprise:



The Bridge of the Starship Legislature:

Highlights of Speaker Curtis' Speech

"Don't be duplicitous." Be honest in your dealings.

He referred to "Partisan Media." He then explained that he has learned that if a newspaper prints a reporter's picture with an article, that gives them the right to be partisan. That is only partially true. If you see the "reporter's" picture, than they are not usually reporters, but columnists. Columnists get paid to write opinions. Still no word on why we don't see everyone's picture at the Cannon Morning News.

"If you can look at yourself in the mirror and feel good about yourself" you have probably done OK, no matter what others may say.

Technical Glitches

It came time for the Representatives to declare that they were present and accounted for. However, the electronic voting machine was having problems recording their votes.

So, they had to do a roll call vote.

The first name they called was Rep. Aagard. Out of habit from all those many years of hearing my name first in school, I almost responded "here."

Firstvote of the session and I almost get myself kicked out of the gallery.

-Bob

P.S. Rep Doug Aagard is a fourth cousin or something.

Shout-Out to Teen Republicans

A big shout-out to the Teen Republicans I sat with this morning in the House chambers. Enjoy your studies!

Stupid Battery

I hate the fact that I only get about 80 minutes of life from a charge of my battery. I'll post more when I get a chance to plug in...

Starting late

Here we are, starting the 2008 session of the legislature late. Speaker Curtis banged his gavel at 10:12 to get everyone's attention. We're stalling because of the snow.

10:18 -- Greg Curtis is stalling, as the color guard is on 120th South trying to get here.

10:26 -- opening ceremonies. Finally.

Invocation - Elden Quinton L Cook, LDS Quorum of the 12
Pledge of Allegiance -- Major who is leaving Wednesday for Afghanistan
National Anthem, God Bless America -- Brighton High School Madrigals

Good Morning on a snowy Day 1 of the Utah Legislature

If you look close, you can see the Church Office Building. This was the view from the Capitol steps this morning

Starting Monday: Live, (almost) Daily Blogging from the Legislature

Other than a couple of days that I will be unable to make it to the Capitol (like Tuesday), I will be liveblogging from the Legislature.

-Bob