Post-Performance Incentives
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Businesses must constantly innovate to stay ahead of stiff competition. They continually seek to differentiate their products from competitors’. This brings a perpetual cycle of developing, branding, styling and marketing products in hopes of attracting customers. Of course, competition is the heart of the free market system. We all benefit from it. Competition applies to [...]
Olympic Exploratory Committee
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Why pursue the Olympic Games? By any measure the 2002 Olympic Winter Games were a great success, and if you were around at the time, you probably remember the excitement, energy and economic impact they brought. Preparing for the Games created thousands of jobs, paying nearly $2 billion in wages. Utah hosted 250,000 visitors and [...]
Beyond Haze
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
I recently spent an afternoon skiing with family members at a local ski resort. It was a beautiful day, and a pleasant, although temporary, escape from the city smog. On our return home as we descended the canyon, I was surprised to see how the inversion formed a dark-grey cloud which blanketed the valley below. [...]
100,000 Jobs
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Wednesday night, Governor Herbert delivered his State of the State address to the Legislature and residents of Utah. The Governor reported that the state of our state is strong, and growing stronger. I agree. As Lt. Governor I am able to visit businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Utah. There is strong evidence of a renewed economy [...]
Legislative Conversation
Friday, January 20th, 2012
As certain as the legislative session arrives every January, some undying myths will accompany it. In this imaginary conversation Phil represents the myth-promoters I so often encounter: Me: Hey, Phil, the session’s about to begin. Phil: Heaven forbid. Mark Twain once said …. Me: Right. Ha Ha. Phil: What stupidities will these yokels cook up [...]
Repeat Criminal Behavior
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Of all the functions of government, the corrections system is one of the least visible to the average citizen. The Utah Department of Corrections (UDOC) has a daunting task, and little margin for error. With limited staff and resources, UDOC manages 6,900 inmates. Last year they processed 3,300 intakes and 3,100 releases. One of their [...]
Common Sense on Common Core
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
The worldwide market has few boundaries. Thus Utah’s businesses and workforce must be able to compete globally. For this reason, the Legislature, employers and parents are demanding that our education system benchmark its objectives against international competitors. They also demand a more rigorous curriculum. To address these concerns, parents, teachers, school administrators and experts from across [...]
Resolution for 2012: Save for College
Thursday, December 29th, 2011
Utah Latter-day Saints do an admirable job saving money for church missions. Many Utah families sacrifice to save so their children can serve a higher call. Many children and teenagers contribute their own hard-earned dollars for missions. Unfortunately, we don’t do so well in saving money for our children’s higher education. Inadequate college savings isn’t [...]
Peace and Good Will Toward Men
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
On the first Christmas night, two millennia ago, the heavenly host announced the birth of the Christ to the lowly shepherds, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. Peace on earth they wished for us—peace on earth. Peace is a precious thing. Peace is freedom [...]
Talk’s Cheap
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
It’s budget time! Every December the Governor proposes a budget to the the people and the Legislature. The budget reflects a governor’s priorities more than any other single act. As you can tell what a company and a family really value by how they spend their money, so it is with governors. This year’s situation [...]
Connecting with Greg Bell
