Blog, Deseret News Columns

Imagine Utah’s next 50 years

Originally published in the Deseret News.

In 1966, Utah reached the 1 million population milestone. Community leaders celebrated the achievement by greeting Utah’s newest resident — dubbed “Mr. Million” – with a 60-piece band as he stepped off the airplane. Since then Utah has added another 2 million people, and projections released last week by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute suggest another 2.5 million new residents over the next 50 years. It begs the question, what does the future portend for the Beehive State?

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Blog, Utah Business Columns

The Economics of Trump and Clinton: Comparing the policy positions of the candidates

Originally published in Utah Business.

I stopped writing about the presidential election several months ago because I entered into a funk. But never mind that … election day is nearly here and I feel compelled to share my thoughts about the economic policies of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Because of my funk, or what you might call nervous depression, I’m going to give a pass to several things that bother me. I’m putting my anxieties about Clinton’s email server, Benghazi and Bernie Sander’s-inspired liberalism on a shelf. I’ll do the same with Trump’s 3 a.m. Twitter tirades, lack of any prior experience in public office, and his offensive language toward women, Mexicans, veterans and really anybody he wants to lash his ugly tongue at. I’m looking purely at the efficacy of selected economic policies.

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Blog, Deseret News Columns

Thought jewels from Washington, D.C.

Originally published in the Deseret News.

I’ve been fortunate this week to spend time in Washington, D.C.. with a delegation of community leaders from the Salt Lake Chamber. The Chamber puts on an amazing program, including face time with each member of the Utah congressional delegation, Gov. Gary Herbert, cybersecurity experts, the speaker of the House, prominent senators, and a leading pollster. There were several thought jewels shared for those interested in politics and public policy. I thought I’d share a few.
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Blog, Deseret News Columns

A plea for bridges not a wall

    Originally published in the Deseret News.

    I have a vivid memory of my first visit to the D-Day beaches on the coast of France. The white tombstones at the American cemetery, the bombed-out and pitted grassy hills of the Pointe du Hoc, and the quiet waves rushing ashore at Omaha Beach created a powerful sense of patriotism and national identity for me. I have never been so proud to be an American.

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Blog, Utah Business Columns

Adapting to the future

Originally published in Utah Business.

I recently attended Sen. Mike Lee’s Utah Solutions Summit. The focus was Utah’s workforce and economy. The program not only included a who’s who of education, business and economic leaders, but keynote presentations by Indiana governor and Donald Trump running mate Mike Pence, and former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. I left the conference thinking about the Utah economy and Utah’s future and want to share a few thoughts.
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Deseret News Columns

Lessons learned from Utah’s Olympic moment

Originally published in the Deseret News.

“Not everybody gets the chance to skate the performance of their life.” That was U.S. figure skater Sarah Hughes’ assessment of how she had catapulted from fourth place to Olympic gold on the last night of the figure skating competition in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Her performance mirrored Utah’s achievement in hosting the Olympics. We excelled in nearly every way. With the Rio Olympics in full swing, it’s a great time to reflect on Utah’s Olympic moment and the lessons learned.
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Blog, Utah Business Columns

Make gentle the life of this world

Originally published in Utah Business.

My husband and I ride our bikes together along the Jordan River Parkway several times a week. We love cycling because you see and feel things in a different way. The Wasatch Range, sunsets, wildlife, and other details feel closer and more real. There is a depth of feeling that you just can’t find when you are behind a windshield or on a city street.
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Deseret News Columns

Tapping into the power of miracles

Originally published in in the Deseret News.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” — Buddha

Shortly after giving birth to my son, an elderly neighbor came to my home to wish me well. She brought a loaf of homemade bread. While looking down at my son she said, “They say miracles never happen, but they happen every day.” I’ve never forgotten her profound observation.

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Deseret News Columns

The convention speech Mr. Trump should give

Originally published in the Deseret News.

Columnist note: I count myself in the Never Trump category of Republican voters. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has said Mr. Trump needs to pivot at the convention this week. This speech would be a good start.

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and my fellow citizens … I accept your nomination. Thank you for this profound honor. Together, we will make America great again!
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Blog, Utah Business Columns

Rio 2016: Learning from the Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games

Originally published in Utah Business.

Hosting the Olympic Games is not for the faint of heart. The spotlight is bright, the logistics are complicated, and the cost is substantial.

Nobody knows this better than Rio de Janeiro, the host for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The Rio Olympics have been beset by extraordinary challenges, including the Zika virus, doping scandals, serious crime, environmental problems, political mayhem, and the nation’s worst recession since the 1930s.
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Writings and Reflections