Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson made his State of the City Address last night.Anderson reviewed past accomplishments and outlined future goals.
Anderson challenged leaders to take a stand on issues:
Progress is about building—and leaving for the future—a better world and better
communities. Whatever affects the people of Salt Lake City—whether it is garbage collection,federal housing policy, or the prospect of catastrophic global climate change—it is the responsibility of all leaders, whether in the business, religious, or civic communities—including municipal officials – to take a stand, and to take action. Those who do not, those who say “It’s not my job” or “It’s none of my business” are not only derelict in carrying out their responsibilities as leaders; they are derelict in fulfilling their moral duties as human beings with choices and the ability to help make a positive difference.
And on progress:
In thinking about progress, the relevant question is not simply what is possible in thegiven conditions of the present world, but, more significantly, what is desirable in a future worlddriven by our hopes and dreams. Throughout the past seven years of my administration, we haveendeavored to make these dreams—these aspirations for an inclusive, safe, healthy, interesting, rewarding community—part of the fabric of our great city. Progress in City government requires a hard-working, dedicated team. We have set a standard of excellence for our team, trying people out for the team, making some cuts, and building an exceptional team that has served the people of Salt Lake City well.
It is up to each of us to advance the common good, preserving the key spaces, resources,and institutions that make our quality of life possible, while extending the benefits they provide to every member of our community, including those who come along in the future. In the end,the measure of our lives, and of our service to others, is whether we have had some part in progress—whether we have helped move our community and our world toward real
improvement.
Utah Supreme Court Justices are requesting more money. Apparently there is a vacancy in the 7th district that has attracted on five applicants, short four from the state’s mandate of nine applications being received before proceeding in the hiring process.
In today’s Deseret News:
In her annual State of the Judiciary address to the Utah Legislature, Chief Justice Christine M. Durham said more and more of Utah’s attorneys seem disinterested in becoming judges, mainly because the pay is so much less than what they can make in the private sector and even less than legal positions within Utah’s government. “I know that no one becomes a judge to get rich,” Durham said, “… but I am concerned about trends and morale.” Some 11 percent of district judgeships have turned over in the past two years and 35 percent of all Utah judges are eligible to retire in the next four years. Currently, district court judges make $114,004 while Court of Appeals judges are paid $120,100 and the five Supreme Court justices make $125,800 annually.
Historically, lawmakers have been reluctant to grant the raises asked by the courts. Last year, the Utah courts asked for a 7 percent increase and got 3 percent. The year before that, judges received a 1 percent boost.
This year, Durham said the courts are asking for an 11 percent raise.
This might not be an issue if the entire system were overhauled so that judges wouldn’t be working so much, inclusive of changing laws for non-violent crimes. Additionally – 11 percent???? Compared to the average workers pay in Utah, the current judge’s salary is wonderful! I can’t beleive that Utah would raise the salaries of government employees so much while, at the same time, arguing over what minimum wages should be for the average employee that keeps our economy going.
Priorities, people, priorities.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2007 legislature, economy, living wage, minimum wage, politics, Utah
Deseret News
57th Legislature: Ethics targeted again: Speeches, prayers launch session
Lawmakers to seek big boost in teachers’ pay
Wages for judges decried: Chief justice says the judiciary is facing a quality crisis over pay
Utah has eyes on rules for transfers
Public schooling creates common ground (opinion)
Judicial committee OKs judge nominee
Legislators receive primer on software available to schools: Educators asking for $30 million to improve technology
Salt Lake Tribune
Session’s opening: Quiet before storm:
The time of hefty surpluses may bring more bitter battles than leaner days
Utah lawmakers begin 45-day session
Measure aims to make repeat DUI offenders use the gadgets
Nominee would bring diverse past to bench
Prison boss’ job a challenge
Chief justice says pay raise needed to recruit new judges
Voice of Utah is doing its legislative watch during the 2007 session with a feature called
<a href=”http://voiceofutah.livejournal.com/18618.html”>Nutter Buttars Watch</a>.
The 2007 Utah Legislature convenes today. Here are headlines in the news:
Deseret News
King Day session miffs some Utahns
Plan targets access to porn at schools
Education — It’s No. 1 issue, but lawmakers also to focus on tax cuts
The boom-time session begins (opinion)
Immigrant tuition perk is targeted
Vouchers to be a key legislative issue (opinion)
’07 wrestling match starts up Monday
State agencies’ ‘base budgets’ reviewed
Proposed bill seeks to ensure hiring of legal workers
Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature draws flak for convening on MLK Day
Poll shows Utahns, Legislature priorities don’t match up
Bad blood over soccer stadium has legislators seeking budget cuts for Salt Lake County
Events today in Utah are listed in today’s Salt Lake Tribune:
Here are events happening around the Wasatch Front to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The University of Utah events are free and open to the public. For information for U. events, e-mail leo.leckie@utah.edu; call 581-7569; or go to http://www.diversity.utah.edu /mlk2007.html
* 8:30 to 10 a.m., annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast, health fair & march, The Marshall White Center, 222 28th St., Ogden. Donation: $10 for adults. Children are free. For information, call Betty Sawyer at 801-394-0924.
* 5:30 p.m., Walk of Life Memorial Program, a candlelight processional, Brigham Young University, Bell Tower to the Wilkinson Student Center, Provo. For information, call 801-422-8097.
* 6:30 p.m., Goapele Performance & 2007 MLK Youth Leadership Awards, U. Campus, Libby Gardner Hall, 1375 E. President’s Circle. Free admission with ticket. Tickets available at the Kingsbury Hall ticket office (1395 E. President’s Circle), by phone at 581-7100 or online at http://www.kingsbury.utah.edu
Compiled from community calendars by Jennifer W. Sanchez
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 