O:9:"magpierss":24:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:15:{i:0;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/11/being_proactive.htm";s:5:"title";s:15:"Being Proactive";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/11/being_proactive.htm";s:11:"description";s:273:"<p>In Mondays Utah Policy Daily there was an article about the need for more proactive legislation. Senator Curt Bramble invited the Utah House of Representatives to join the Senate in becoming proactive in the legislative process.  I found this idea to be very ironic.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:11:"Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-11-09T10:45:55-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:273:"<p>In Mondays Utah Policy Daily there was an article about the need for more proactive legislation. Senator Curt Bramble invited the Utah House of Representatives to join the Senate in becoming proactive in the legislative process.  I found this idea to be very ironic.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1163094300;}i:1;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/11/support_transpo.htm";s:5:"title";s:32:"Support Transportation Questions";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/11/support_transpo.htm";s:11:"description";s:286:"<p>It appears the two ballot questions on transportation should pass on Tuesday.  This is an indication the public really does understand how crucial the transportation issue is.  Not only will the new tax be used to build more roads, but there will also be a focus on mass transit.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:14:"Transportation";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-11-05T22:50:41-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:286:"<p>It appears the two ballot questions on transportation should pass on Tuesday.  This is an indication the public really does understand how crucial the transportation issue is.  Not only will the new tax be used to build more roads, but there will also be a focus on mass transit.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1162792200;}i:2;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/09/a_bigger_tax_ch.htm";s:5:"title";s:19:"A Bigger Tax Change";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/09/a_bigger_tax_ch.htm";s:11:"description";s:236:"<p>The question I get asked most these days is about having a special session.  It looks like that will happen in a few weeks.  The problem for me is that the focus has been on income tax reform and not on a more pressing tax issue.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:15:"Special Session";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-09-06T09:41:32-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:236:"<p>The question I get asked most these days is about having a special session.  It looks like that will happen in a few weeks.  The problem for me is that the focus has been on income tax reform and not on a more pressing tax issue.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1157560860;}i:3;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/06/the_governor_co.htm";s:5:"title";s:37:"The Governor Could Fund Medicaid Now!";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/06/the_governor_co.htm";s:11:"description";s:318:"<p>The Governor’s message in the Tribune regarding Medicaid dental benefits is confusing. It seems that he, and obviously the Media, do not understand how the budgeting process works. The Legislature doesn’t need to approve the Medicaid Dental funding. The Health Department can make that decision themselves. </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-06-09T11:04:31-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:318:"<p>The Governor’s message in the Tribune regarding Medicaid dental benefits is confusing. It seems that he, and obviously the Media, do not understand how the budgeting process works. The Legislature doesn’t need to approve the Medicaid Dental funding. The Health Department can make that decision themselves. </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1149876240;}i:4;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/06/public_educatio.htm";s:5:"title";s:24:"Public Education Funding";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/06/public_educatio.htm";s:11:"description";s:555:"<p>There is nothing like Education to bring our emotions quickly to the surface! And last week Education was again in the news. The Deseret News reported that the State Board of Education is considering new ways to ensure adequate funding.  One idea was a referendum to freeze the statewide property tax or a constitutional amendment that would ensure public education was funded adequately.  Another idea from Patrick Ogden, the state associate superintendent, was to file a law suit, which seems to be the way to solve problems in our society today.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:9:"Education";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-06-07T10:30:25-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:555:"<p>There is nothing like Education to bring our emotions quickly to the surface! And last week Education was again in the news. The Deseret News reported that the State Board of Education is considering new ways to ensure adequate funding.  One idea was a referendum to freeze the statewide property tax or a constitutional amendment that would ensure public education was funded adequately.  Another idea from Patrick Ogden, the state associate superintendent, was to file a law suit, which seems to be the way to solve problems in our society today.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1149701400;}i:5;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:65:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/05/is_uta_finally.htm";s:5:"title";s:27:"Is UTA Finally Stepping Up?";s:4:"link";s:65:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/05/is_uta_finally.htm";s:11:"description";s:297:"<p>Last week the media reported that UTA has a unique plan to help Utah County with their transportation woes. It is about time.  A year ago, after no assistance from UTA, Utah County had to put together their own task force to begin looking at alternatives for transportation in Utah County. </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:11:"Utah County";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-05-24T18:30:06-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:297:"<p>Last week the media reported that UTA has a unique plan to help Utah County with their transportation woes. It is about time.  A year ago, after no assistance from UTA, Utah County had to put together their own task force to begin looking at alternatives for transportation in Utah County. </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1148520600;}i:6;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/05/what_makes_this.htm";s:5:"title";s:43:"What Makes this Special Session so Special?";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/05/what_makes_this.htm";s:11:"description";s:335:"<p>The much talked about special legislative session is finally here.  I say “finally” only because it will be nice to have the session completed and out of the way.  I always am surprised at how excited the media and some political types get over a special session when, for most legislators, a special session is not needed. </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:15:"Special Session";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-05-23T17:55:00-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:335:"<p>The much talked about special legislative session is finally here.  I say “finally” only because it will be nice to have the session completed and out of the way.  I always am surprised at how excited the media and some political types get over a special session when, for most legislators, a special session is not needed. </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1148432100;}i:7;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/a_call_for_civi.htm";s:5:"title";s:8:"Civility";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/a_call_for_civi.htm";s:11:"description";s:222:"<p>During Utah’s legislative session things move fast.  Thankfully, each weekend provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous week’s happenings.  This weekend, I came to the conclusion that we can do better. </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-02-24T17:37:08-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:222:"<p>During Utah’s legislative session things move fast.  Thankfully, each weekend provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous week’s happenings.  This weekend, I came to the conclusion that we can do better. </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1140827820;}i:8;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/getting_along_i.htm";s:5:"title";s:31:"Getting Along Isn't Always Best";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/getting_along_i.htm";s:11:"description";s:193:"<p>It is always very interesting to hear the reactions from the public when the Legislature is in session and it appears there is not agreement between the House, Senate and the Governor.  </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-02-17T09:13:55-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:193:"<p>It is always very interesting to hear the reactions from the public when the Legislature is in session and it appears there is not agreement between the House, Senate and the Governor.  </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1140192780;}i:9;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:68:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/what_is_the_sur_1.htm";s:5:"title";s:18:"Show Me the Money!";s:4:"link";s:68:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/what_is_the_sur_1.htm";s:11:"description";s:159:"<p>  I attended a business association meeting recently where I heard an erroneous reference to the state's billion dollar surplus.  This is not uncommon. </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-02-16T10:58:47-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:159:"<p>  I attended a business association meeting recently where I heard an erroneous reference to the state's billion dollar surplus.  This is not uncommon. </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1140112680;}i:10;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/the_education_f.htm";s:5:"title";s:18:"The Education Fund";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/the_education_f.htm";s:11:"description";s:183:"<p>Much confusion exists in this state over how funds for education are appropriated.  HB 294 seeks to eliminate much of this confusion through the creation of the Education Fund.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-02-15T09:48:07-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:183:"<p>Much confusion exists in this state over how funds for education are appropriated.  HB 294 seeks to eliminate much of this confusion through the creation of the Education Fund.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1140022080;}i:11;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/lobbyist_disclo.htm";s:5:"title";s:19:"Lobbyist Disclosure";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2006/02/lobbyist_disclo.htm";s:11:"description";s:135:"<p>One of the issues that caught the attention of many - including the media - the first week of the session was lobbyist reform.  </p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:16:"2006 Legislature";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-02-06T16:09:26-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:135:"<p>One of the issues that caught the attention of many - including the media - the first week of the session was lobbyist reform.  </p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1139267340;}i:12;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:64:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/11/taxing_issues.htm";s:5:"title";s:13:"Taxing Issues";s:4:"link";s:64:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/11/taxing_issues.htm";s:11:"description";s:388:"<p>The food tax.  Ever since Governor Huntsman said he’d like to repeal the food tax it has become an interesting target to dance around.  In last week’s Tax Reform task force the Speaker of the House presented a new idea for repealing the tax.  The President of the Senate didn’t want to be upstaged so he presented his own plan, which would cut state revenues by $225 million.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:8:"Food Tax";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2005-11-14T14:37:49-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:388:"<p>The food tax.  Ever since Governor Huntsman said he’d like to repeal the food tax it has become an interesting target to dance around.  In last week’s Tax Reform task force the Speaker of the House presented a new idea for repealing the tax.  The President of the Senate didn’t want to be upstaged so he presented his own plan, which would cut state revenues by $225 million.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1132004220;}i:13;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/09/who_should_real.htm";s:5:"title";s:36:"Who Should Really Do the Rebuilding?";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/09/who_should_real.htm";s:11:"description";s:426:"<p>Over the past few weeks our country has experienced two major disasters and the federal government has decided to step up and help the country rebuild.  Many in the affected areas are demanding the government come in and bail them out. <br />
 <br />
I believe most public officials have been afraid to stand up and ask the tough question; should the federal government be offering to rebuild?  I say no and here's why:</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:22:"Federal Responsibility";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2005-09-28T08:19:15-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:426:"<p>Over the past few weeks our country has experienced two major disasters and the federal government has decided to step up and help the country rebuild.  Many in the affected areas are demanding the government come in and bail them out. <br />
 <br />
I believe most public officials have been afraid to stand up and ask the tough question; should the federal government be offering to rebuild?  I say no and here's why:</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1127920740;}i:14;a:7:{s:5:"about";s:55:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/09/post.htm";s:5:"title";s:34:"Are we getting ahead of ourselves?";s:4:"link";s:55:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/archives/2005/09/post.htm";s:11:"description";s:397:"<p>Over the last few days the media has been celebrating the signing of the Legacy Highway agreement.  Most of the local papers are hailing this as the start of construction.  Others are saying that the environmental groups shouldn't be negotiated with and that other more important groups were left out of the negotiations.  Maybe we should all take a step back and put this into perspective.</p>";s:2:"dc";a:3:{s:7:"subject";s:14:"Legacy Highway";s:7:"creator";s:4:"Jeff";s:4:"date";s:25:"2005-09-26T15:29:54-07:00";}s:7:"summary";s:397:"<p>Over the last few days the media has been celebrating the signing of the Legacy Highway agreement.  Most of the local papers are hailing this as the start of construction.  Others are saying that the environmental groups shouldn't be negotiated with and that other more important groups were left out of the negotiations.  Maybe we should all take a step back and put this into perspective.</p>";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1127773740;}}s:7:"channel";a:7:{s:5:"title";s:29:"Representative Jeff Alexander";s:4:"link";s:30:"http://www.jeff-alexander.com/";s:11:"description";s:28:"make something happen online";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:4:"date";s:25:"2006-11-09T10:45:55-07:00";}s:5:"items";s:2:"

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