Originally published in the Deseret News.

Voting in the 2016 presidential election begins next week. The Iowa Caucuses on Monday will be followed by elections in 16 states over the next 30 days. It’s decision time in America.

Unfortunately, instead of having substantive policy discussions about which candidate can best lead our nation, many Americans are watching late night comedy shows with a Sarah Palin look-alike speaking in incomplete sentences. While I’ve had my share of laughs too, my stronger emotion has been one of agitation. I find these elections deeply troubling.

Continue reading Decision Time in America →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

I love the start of a new year, and 2016 promises to be a big one. The world will gather for the Olympic Summer Games in Rio, our country will elect a new president, and Utah will be the top tourism destination in the world, according to Fodor’s Travel. I looked into my crystal ball of world events, technology, sports and politics and have a handful of serious and fun predictions for the new year:

Continue reading Predictions for the New Year →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalms 98:4

Next week the Christian world will celebrate Christmas. I write this column from a Christian perspective with the hope that people from all faith traditions will benefit.

My favorite Christmas song is Joy to the World. I love it because of the profoundly hopeful message it shares with all who will listen. Written in the early 1700s, the song uses simple, yet vivid imagery to depict a world celebrating the arrival of a Savior. The music and lyrics are a declaration of hope for the future of the world, and at a much more personal level, for all of us.

Continue reading Celebrate and sing praise for a better future →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

The pages of this newspaper have been filled with tributes to our beloved former governor Olene Walker, who will be interred today in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. On the day of her funeral I wish to add one more voice to the chorus.

Others have commented on her mighty legacy of service to this state. To this I will only add an exclamation point. We are better and stronger people and live in a more prosperous and just state because of her extraordinary contributions.

The perspective I wish to add is extremely simple and, perhaps, more personal. It’s something Walker, or Olene, as she was called with affection, would want us to have on this day. She would want us to be inspired to lead better lives.

Continue reading Inspiration from “Olene” →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

We learned this week that Jackie Biskupski will be the next mayor of Salt Lake City. In an election that was hard fought and hard earned, Mayor-elect Biskupski shared an inclusive vision that inspired Salt Lake City residents. She has my admiration, respect and congratulations.

I’m not currently a resident of Salt Lake City, but I am a native Salt Laker, spend a considerable amount of time in the city and occasionally work professionally on city issues. I’d like to offer a perspective.

Continue reading Mayor Biskupski should provide statewide leadership →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

The Utah Jazz experienced a breakthrough last year when the franchise traded Enes Kanter and promoted Rudy Gobert to the starting center position. The Jazz have played better basketball ever since. The trade created an inflection point that produced improved chemistry and defense. The young team passed a threshold.

The Utah economy may be passing through a similar threshold and, like the Jazz, is competing at a higher level. The state has grown and invested. In the process, we’ve traded away our small size and are shedding our insular reputation. In a very real way we’ve been discovered.

Continue reading Utah’s threshold economy breaks through →

Originally published in the Deseret News.

I’m always looking for public policy breakthroughs that make Utah a better place to live and raise a family. I can think of several great decisions over the years. For instance, Olene Walker sponsored legislation that created Utah’s rainy day fund. It was a lifesaver when the financial crisis hit. The Utah Compact advanced principles to guide Utah’s immigration discussion. This created the context for immigration reform policies that protected public safety, kept families together and strengthened the Utah economy. And when Salt Lake and Utah counties passed ballot initiatives supporting 70 miles of new rail transit, we invested in our future. Today it’s hard to imagine urban Utah without FrontRunner commuter rail and TRAX light rail.

There is another public policy breakthrough I’m following that has the potential to do tremendous good for our state. The Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act, passed in 2012, seeks to reduce the incidence of children who remain in a cycle of poverty and welfare dependence as they become adults. Utah is ahead of the curve in understanding this issue and is on the cusp of making real progress.

Continue reading Utah’s intergenerational poverty research: a public policy breakthrough →

Originally published in the Deseret News National Edition.

My mother passed away about a month ago. The passage of time has allowed me to reflect about, internalize and process the experience. I finally feel I can write about it and want to share an experience from the final years of her life. My thoughts start and end with women and song.

As context, let me provide a little background. I’m the youngest of 11 children, which tells you my mother was a warrior of sorts. Truly nothing intimidated her. My mother lived a nigh-perfect life — great marriage, loving children, spunk and spirit, a love for mankind and world travel and a sure commitment to her maker. She died at 93 in her own home, surrounded by her children, in perfect peace. While leaving a pit in my heart, her death was a beautiful experience because of the life she lived.

Continue reading Singing my mother to heaven →