Blog Archives - Jay Evensen

State school board races shouldn't be overlooked

5/30/2018

If you have school-aged children, maybe you’ve noticed the fees. Schools are hitting you up for everything from textbook rentals to activities and lab fees. And if you have more than one child in the system, you may not afford a vacation this summer.

A recent internal audit by the State Board of Education concluded these are jeopardizing the idea of equal access to education.

Would a forced vote on DACA signal a new day?

5/29/2018

After several minutes of telling the combined editorial boards of the Deseret News and KSL why she decided to defy her party leadership and attempt to force a vote on a bill to protect the children of undocumented immigrants, Mia Love felt the need to add, “You can tell this is something, obviously, I feel frustrated about.”

Frustration is nothing new in Washington. Way back in 1910, it was the emotion responsible for the House procedure she is attempting, known as a discharge petition. Through it, members of the House can force a bill from the clutches of a speaker and onto the floor for a vote.

But because frustration, even in Washington, rarely rises to a level equal to the fear of political retaliation, the discharge is considered radical.

Don't blame self-driving technology; blame the humans

5/24/2018

The latest statistics from the National Safety Council show more than 40,000 people died in automobile-related accidents in 2017.

Chances are, even after reading this, you will get back in your car sometime today without much of a concern. After all, what are 40,000 compared to the 263.6 million drivers in the U.S.? Even average Americans can do that math (sort of).

Another secret development deal that needs to be aired

5/22/2018

SALT LAKE CITY — Just once, it would be nice to learn that officials in Utah have been secretly negotiating with a company to come here, and that the state is insisting the company provide millions directly to local school districts.

That’s it, just money for schools.

The only thing they would get in return is a realization that a well-educated workforce will provide them with solid, knowledgeable and innovative workers for years to come.

Why does SLC homeless shelter still have problems?

5/16/2018

I think it was the picture of a red ball of candy laced with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, that got to me.

This tempting jawbreaker was found in a public area at the 300-bed homeless family shelter in Midvale — a place where children roam while their parents try to negotiate a pathway back to mainstream society.

Really?

Time to plan for a park to replace the prison in Draper

5/15/2018

When the state of Utah moved its main prison from Salt Lake City to Draper in 1951, it built Sugar House Park in its place.

Well, it actually sold the land to the city and county, and they set up a park authority to plan and fund the park, but you get the idea. All that green space, the hills and the trees were a gift, of sorts, to the city. Try to imagine Sugar House today without it.

Likewise, try to imagine Salt Lake City without

Another awful attempt to dismantle the Electoral College

5/11/2018

Connecticut just became the latest state to decide it wants to surrender its electoral votes in favor of whichever future presidential candidate wins the nationwide popular vote.

Utah should be offended by this move, which now includes 11 states, totaling 172 electoral votes. If it succeeds — that is, if enough states totaling at least 270 electoral votes sign on — it would make Utah even less relevant than it currently is in national

Salt Lake still on track to become like the Bay Area

5/9/2018

A year ago, I asked readers whether the Wasatch Front could help ending up like San Francisco.

Silly question, right? The Salt Lake area will never rival the Bay Area as a destination or an economic or cultural center. Nobody is likely to write a hit song about leaving his or her heart here, unless it’s about a transplant at University Hospital.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t be just as expensive a place to live.

Furor over a dress - being judgmental can be complicated

5/3/2018

We interrupt important news about a possible breakthrough in relations with North Korea, the president’s looming trade war and the rising cost of a gallon of gasoline to bring you this important bulletin:

A young woman in Utah has worn a red Chinese qipao dress to her prom.

Sorry, we should have warned you to keep the children out of earshot. We know you’re gasping for air at this point, but health officials assure us they don’t expect any long-term effects. This shocking news is sure to last only until the next social distraction is revealed.

Overturning your vote against a tax increase

5/1/2018

Now it’s up to cities to decide whether your vote three years ago meant anything, sort of.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers left it up to counties to decide whether to impose a quarter-cent sales-tax increase for transit and road projects in spite of the “no” vote that prevailed on Proposition 1 in 2015. Now, Salt Lake County — like a rugby player worried about being tackled — has decided to pass that decision over to the cities.

If cities, towns and metro townships in the county

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