Charles Trentelman: Wrong Turn: More and More Expensive Roads

How much longer will our elected officials continue to squander the bulk of Utah transporation dollars toward "8-track tape energy source" technology?

Why is it politicians scream that things like FrontRunner need a "subsidy" to operate, but never talk about the subsidy that roads require? [...]
The normally fiscally conservative Utahns who hate teacher unions because they demands living wages for educators, decry waste from programs that feed the poor, and generally want pennies pinched en masse, have no problem blowing $70 million on a stretch of asphalt a piddling 3 miles long that will probably need resurfacing in ten years, or less and won't return a dime of revenue to anyone. [...]
... [R]oads don't need "subsidies." They just need millions of dollars in repairs every year.

Charles Trentelman - The Retired Rambler
Wrong Turn: More and more expensive roads
January 6, 2014

I still say, if employers in Utah had any brains they'd be pushing for alternatives for their workers to using cars. Cars are expensive, forcing employees to demand better pay and getting grumpy when they don't get it. If employees could avoid using their cars to get to work every day, they'd have more money to spend on fun stuff and be happier.

Charles Trentelman - The Retired Rambler
Wrong Turn: More and more expensive roads
January 6, 2014

Enough, already!

In the hope of  stimulating a little Weber County Forum discussion this Monday morning, we'll shine the spotlight on a top-notch blog post from veteran Ogden journalist Charles Trentelman, lodged on his "Retired Rambler" soapbox over the weekend.  Although Charlie labels it a "rant," it smacks of good old "measured common sense," as far as we're concerned.  Read up, folks:

• Wrong Turn: More and more expensive roads 

Perfect lead-in, as our Utah Legislature kicks off the 2014 Utah General Legislative Session this morning, wethinks.

So what about it, O Gentle Ones?

Isn't it about time for our State Legislative Critters to reassess Utah's transportation funding priorities?

How much longer will our elected officials continue to squander the bulk of Utah transportation dollars toward what Charlie characterizes as "8-track tape energy source" technology?

"8-track tape energy source" technology

WSU Hosts Air Quality Expert Panel Discussion - Updated

Via one sharp-eyed and alert Weber County Forum reader we're delighted to provide a quick heads up regarding today's campus event, which will appeal to folks who are concerned about improving and protecting the quality of Utah’s air:

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s Engaged Learning Series will host the Utah Air Quality Expert Panel Discussion [today] Jan. 22 at 12:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.

The WSU Environmental Issues Committee and the Center for Community Engaged Learning are co-sponsoring the panel composed of four local air quality experts who represent diverse interests:

• Matt Pacenza, policy director for HEAL Utah
• Rep. Joel Briscoe, minority caucus manager for the Utah State Legislature
• Susan Soleil, executive director of Utah Interfaith Power and Light
• Carl Ingwell, director of the University of Utah’s Student Clean Air Network

Associate professor of geography Eric Ewert will moderate the event.

 Here's more information from the WSU site:

• WSU Hosts Air Quality Expert Panel Discussion

“We envison this panel as less about hand-wringing over the poor quality of our air, and more about what citizens and residents can do to fix it,” Ewert says. “While only scheduled for 50 minutes, the session will continue as long as there are questions, and we will give hands-on demonstration of websites, phone apps and ways to get involved right away.”

We're hoping at least a few of you will be able to juggle your calenders and be in attendance.

We've linked this morning's topical Standard-Examiner front page story, just to add to your motivation:

• Health alert issued for Northern Utah air pollution

Update 1/22/14 10:29 a.m.:   Added bonus: With news that the Wasatch Front's air is the worst in the nation and comparable to Beijing, Utah Political Capitol provides you with a history of air pollution in the state:

• A History of the Inversion: A Foe That Grows Stronger

Update 1/23/14 7:00 a.m.:  The Standard carries a Nancy Van Valkenburg story this morning, reporting on yesterday's WSU campus event:

• Grass-roots activism only solution for Utah clean air, panel says

Heads-up On Next Week's Upcoming WSU Campus Event: Unleashing the Power of Free Enterprise for Clean Air & Energy

Bob Inglis, a former Congressman from South Carolina, will share his conservative plan that utilizes the free enterprise system to address our need for both energy and clean air

Via another sharp-eyed and alert Weber County Forum reader, we're delighted to provide a heads-up concerning an important upcoming two-day series of local events:

"Could you post that to WEBER COUNTY FORUM. I bet there are people on WCF who would be interested in the event @ Weber State University. Because of all the other events Bob Inglis is participating in while he is in Utah, the afternoon time was what he had left for Weber State University appearance?" Gentle Reader Eleanor asks.

Needless to say we're delighted to comply with this request, in which connection we provide our afternoon WCF contributer's full attached flyer, rendered below, in web-friendly html form:

---oOo---

Unleashing the Power of Free Enterprise for Clean Air & Energy

Bob Inglis, a former Congressman from South Carolina, will share his conservative plan that utilizes the free enterprise system to address our need for both energy and clean air.

Join us for one of three public events:

Tuesday, September 17^th

Location: The Hinckley Institute, University of Utah
Time: 11:00 to 11:50 am

Place: Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255

Location: Shepherd Union Building, Weber State University
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Place: Skyroom (Room 404B)

Wednesday, September 18^th

Location: The Bill & Vieve Gore Building, Westminster College

Time: 7:30 to 8:30 pm

Place: Gore Auditorium

 

Bob Inglis is guided by the principles of free enterprise and economic growth, limited government, and accountability. In 2012, Bob launched the Energy & Enterprise Initiative to offer a conservative approach to solving our nation’s energy and climate challenges.

“One need not take a side in the debate regarding manmade global warming in order to support improvements in US energy policy. Instead, by eliminating subsidies for all fuel types and making all fuel types accountable for their costs, free enterprise will make clear the best fuels for our future. Reduce taxes on something we want more of –income – and tax something we arguably want less of – carbon pollution. It’s a win-win.” Art Laffer, Economics Adviser to President Ronald Reagan

Sponsored by

--oOo---

Mark your calenders, folks.  Seems to us these scheduled presentation should have mass local appeal, for those of us who struggle 365/24/7 to breathe Utah's gawdawful air:

Another sunny day in Mormon paradise

Utah Political Capitol: Utah’s Air Gets “F” Grade From American Lung Association Report - Updated

Breathe much? In Utah, you do so entirely at your own risk

Whee! Looks like Utah, America's "best-managed" state, has made its way to the very apex of yet another intra-state comparative list. On Wednesday, the American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report; and several counties in Utah (including our own Weber County) received “F” grades, according to this morning's Utah Political Capitol story:

• Utah’s Air Gets “F” Grade From American Lung Association Report

Breathe much?

In Utah, of course, you do so entirely at your own risk.

Perhaps it's time for Mayor Mike to aggressively jump aboard the clean air bandwagon again?

Update 4/25/13 1146 a.m.: In a possibly related story, The Standard reports this morning that Utah residents are among the nation's most stressed out, according to a Gallup poll published this week:

• Utah residents among the most stressed

This of course prompts at least one WCF reader to privately comment, "Must give "props" to ranking as 6th most Stressed Out state in the nation as well Rudi...suppose there's any connection?"

While we'll venture that the data isn't in to necessarily confirm that connection, there's one apparent correlation that we can observe for sure, as Utah also reportedly tops the nation in the usage of anti-depressant medication:

• Unhappy In Utah - CBS News

Can't breath? What's to worry about, we ask...?

Utah: Prozac Capitol of the Whole Danged Planet

 Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones...

Fox 13 News: Mayors Urge Utah Lawmakers to Deal with Dirty Air

Hopefully Mayor Mike will keep the pressure on Governor Herbert and the Utah Legislature to get off their derrieres and do something about Utah's toxic air, which, sadly, is among the worst in the nation

Breathe much?

A hearty Weber County Tip O' the Hat to Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell for joining with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and going public with a plea to the state legislature to do something about our increasing Wasatch Front air pollution. According to Fox 13 News, "[on] Thursday, the mayors of Salt Lake City and Ogden unveiled a list of proposals to deal with Utah’s air quality, including more emphasis on people to drive less and use more mass transit. The mayors also pushed for legislative and regulatory actions to improve the air":

Here's Mayor Mike's comment on this issue, urging a bi-partison legislative and regulatory approach:

Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell said the air quality is an issue that affects both Republicans and Democrats, and it’s bad for business.
“I’ve certainly heard from a lot of those businesses that have relocated in the outdoor industry and say, ‘Hey this is a real issue. It needs to be given serious attention,’ and that’s the business side,” Caldwell said. “But there’s the regular resident that wants to get around and they may have asthma and breathing problems or they just want to go out and exercise.”

As an added bonus, we embed below yesterday's full Fox News video story:


We'll also delightedly remark in passing that it's great to finally have a mayor in Ogden who's truly worthy of high praise, for the first mayoral term of office during the nearly eight years of Weber County Forum's web publishing existence. Granted, Caldwell's predecessor did set the performance bar at a dismally low level.

Hopefully Mayor Mike will keep the pressure on Governor Herbert and the Utah Legislature to get off their derrieres and do something about Utah's toxic air, which, sadly, is among the worst in the nation. As Mayor Mike sez, bad air is bad for business, especially when we're touting ourselves as an outdoor recreation mecca. Our supposedly business-oriented Utah elected officials should immediately write this down so they don't forget it, no?

Great job, Mayor Caldwell. We're proud of ya's.

Update 2/15/13 4:33 p.m.: More on this story from the Salt Lake Tribune:

• Mayors join chorus seeking cleaner air imperatives from Legislature