Deseret Morning News, February 15, 2008
Richard Davis and Larry Brown

Both privately in sessions with Republican and Democratic leaders and publicly through Elder Marlin Jensen in a recent speech, LDS Church general authorities are signaling Republican and Democratic leaders that "'the element of humanity' should be reintroduced to the state's immigration debates." We wholeheartedly agree, particularly since that has not been the approach of state Republican leaders recently.

For example, on Feb. 7, a scant month after the church's admonition to state leaders, federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement stormed a Lindon manufacturing plan and arrested 57 undocumented workers. U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman, a Republican, authorized the Lindon raid. Tolman claimed his office would show compassion for the families of the arrested men.

By compassion, Tolman must have meant separating husbands and fathers and their paychecks from their terrified wives and children.

By compassion, Tolman must have meant labeling the workers as criminals and slapping them with bail set at $7,500, an amount they can't possibly raise, assuring their continued incarceration (at taxpayers expense), separation from their loved ones and probable deportation.

Unfortunately, the response from the state Legislature has not been an expression of compassion. Instead, the Legislature is moving quickly in the opposite direction. The House voted to repeal in-state college tuition benefits for the children of illegal documents who attended Utah high schools. Also, the Legislature is putting SB81 on the fast track to passage.

Paul Thompson

OREM — Democrats are coming out of the woodwork in Utah County.

A third Utah County resident announced candidacy in January for the Utah Legislature on the Democratic ticket. Paul Thompson, 69, of Orem, threw his hat into the ring Thursday.

Thompson was president of Weber State University for 12 years, ending in 2002. Before that the was dean of Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management from 1984 to 1989, then vice president of BYU's University Relations and Development for a year.

"I'd like to see more support for education. Our first priority in Utah should be our children," Thompson said in an interview earlier this week.

Thompson will run against Republican incumbent Lorie Fowlke in District 59.

On Jan. 15, Gwyn Franson, of Highland, a former Highland City councilwoman, announced her candidacy for District 27.

On Jan. 8, Steven Baugh, 62, of Orem, announced his candidacy for District 58. He is the former Alpine School District superintendent and currently an associate professor at BYU.

Richard Davis, chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party, said as many as five more Utah County Democrats plan to announce their candidacy for the Legislature during the next few weeks.

Daily Herald, January 24, 2008
Steven Baugh

Our state legislature is back in session, and, once again, legislators have the opportunity to address important educational issues facing the state. Unfortunately for us, they've too often failed to resolve key problems in the past. They spend too much time on resolutions and not near enough on substantive policy decisions, which is why the real issues keep coming up.

And what should their education priorities be this year? Spending for public education is at the top of the list. Last year's voucher vote showed that Utahns are deeply committed to excellent public education for all. We want the state to fully fund public education without diverting that support to private schools that serve only a small number of our children.

Daily Herald, January 20, 2008
Joe Pyrah

It didn't take long for Utah County Democrats to come out swinging. Just three weeks into the new year, two relatively high-profile candidates have emerged as opposition to their GOP counterparts in a county that hasn't elected a Democrat who lives in the county in 14 years. The announcements are just the beginning, says party chairman Richard Davis.

"We're putting forth a major effort to provide Utah County voters with people they want to vote for and people who are better than the incumbents," he said.

Is it possible that Happy Valley's long-suppressed party will surface in 2008? While there are no guarantees, there are factors that make their chances better this year than in the recent past.

Salt Lake Tribune, January 19, 2008
Paul Rolly

 Believe it or not, there is evidence of a political sea change brewing in Utah County politics. If so, chalk it up to last year's tsunami over private school vouchers.

Whether it turns out to be a ripple or a flood remains to be seen. But two registered Republicans who are prominent citizens of their communities have announced they will run for the Legislature as Democrats. And at least a half dozen more well-known leaders will announce as Democratic candidates within the next few weeks.

"Things are changing," says Utah County Democratic Chairman Larry Brown. "The Republicans here have lost touch with their constituents. The Democratic Party is a moderate party here that represents the mainstream voter."

Salt Lake Tribune, January 16, 2008
Associated Press

HIGHLAND -- Gwyn Franson, former Highland City Council member and wife of Mayor Jay W. Franson, plans to run for a seat in Utah's House of Representatives.

Franson says she'll run for Utah County's District 27, representing Highland and some of American Fork _ and she'll do it as a Democrat.

Franson says she agrees with Republican presidential candidate contender Mitt Romney that Utah is overwhelmingly Mormon. She says she believes Democrats have become the mainstream, moderate party in Utah County.

Franson says as a former teacher, her focus will be on improving education and fixing problems in the state government.