A group of Democratic former elected officials has launched a new political action committee aimed at restoring political balance to the state Legislature. Called "Utah Checks for Balance," the organization hopes to raise $100,000 to invest in targeted races where Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents might be competitive with a few thousand dollars extra. The group's first goal is to try to break the two-thirds, filibuster-proof lock the GOP has on the state House and Senate. Organizers include former Gov. Cal Rampton, one-time Senate President Oscar McConkie, former House Speaker Ron Rencher and past House Minority Leader Dave Jones. One-party control of state government, said Jones, has led to "closed caucuses, closed primaries and closed minds.
Keyes Endorses Swallow's Bid
One-time Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes has endorsed GOP candidate John Swallow in Utah's 2nd Congressional District. Keyes, a conservative talk-show host, criticized Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim Matheson for voting against a ban on partial-birth abortion. "His voice is the heart of Utah, but his hands down in Washington are casting votes that are not for Utah or the nation's heart," said Keyes. Matheson said he voted against the abortion bill because it did not contain an exception to protect a mother's health. Utah law contains such an exception.
Braille Pamphlets to Help Blind Vote
The state is doing more this election year to help blind voters exercise their democratic franchise. The state Library for the Blind has reproduced the official 2002 Utah Voter Information Pamphlet in Braille and recorded audio tapes. Lt. Gov. Olene Walker said the new guides will make voting a bit easier for more than 30,000 Utahns who are blind or have some form of visual impairment. Walker also is working with county clerks to survey polling places for accessibility.
Thomas Offers Pension Reform
Democratic candidate Dave Thomas, in Utah's 1st Congressional District, has released his plan to reform pension plans to better protect workers' retirement savings. "We need to level the field between rank-and-file workers and management to restore faith in the markets," said Thomas. "If we don't take these essential steps, then we'll see this retirement security crisis continue to grow." Thomas' proposal would guarantee a minimum retirement benefit and would mandate worker representation on a company's pension board. The Democrat also said employees must have access to independent, unbiased investment advice.
Courtesy of Salt Lake Tribune
http://www2.sltrib.com/politics/Main/Story.asp?VOL=10072002&NUM=4786
