In the Rockies today, the debate that connects the state of our schools and the fate of public lands is back in the news again.
A recent Census report that shows that Utah placed dead last among all 50 states for per-pupil spending has some lawmakers from that state talking about reviving a plan that would require the federal government hand over 5 percent of federal public lands in the West to the states to provide additional funding for schools.
The idea, pitched in legislation introduced last week by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, is that states would hold the land in a trust, or sell or lease it.
Public lands in the West have long been a source of funding for public schools; they can make up for revenue counties would otherwise collect from property taxes but don't given the high percentage of public land in many counties.
Earlier this year, President Bush proposed selling hundreds of thousands of acres of Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land to fund a rural schools initiative. That plan has been rejected by almost every Rocky Mountain lawmaker, but the debate continues.
Today is the first day of Colorado College's 2006 State of the Rockies conference. Read our exclusive preview in Western Perspective, and stay tuned for daily coverage of the event from NewWest.net.
Rockies today
Utah's worst ranking for student spending revives fed land plan
Utah's ranking as the state that spends the least per pupil has revived an old idea to require the federal government to give 5 percent of the public land in western states to the states to help pay for education.
Deseret News (AP); April 9
Denver transit back online, but issues still remain
Both union members and transit authority board members agreed to a deal that would end the week-long public transit strike, but union leaders say they will continue pushing for more and better benefits for members, and that may include trying to change some laws.
Denver Post; April 9
Immigration rally in Salt Lake a peaceful affair
A Latino group of volunteer security guards helped overwhelmed Salt Lake City police keep the peace at a rally that drew at least 20,000 who came to speak out for pro-immigrant legislative reform; another 200 people attended a counter-rally, supporting legislation that tightens borders.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 10
Montana ranchers support gov's rules on cleaning CBM water
Citing an unpublished Environmental Protection Agency report that says cleaning water polluted by coal-bed methane drilling is relatively cheap, Montana is defending its rules that force methane drillers to do so, but Wyoming lawmakers, agency officials and industry leaders all argue that the rules just hamper energy development.
Washington Post; April 9
Developers say work could start on Wolf Creek resort in June
Developers and business leaders made the announcement that work could begin on the controversial Wolf Creek resort in southern Colorado by June at a meeting on Friday for the public and supporters, but opponents of the development said they would keep fighting it.
Farmington Daily Times; April 9
Phoenix, Tucson to merge in a decade, create a 'megapolitan'
Large subdivisions planned for north of Tucson and south of Phoenix are bringing the cities whose downtowns are technically 120 miles apart much closer together, and the region is expected to become one of 15 megapolitans — giant urban centers — and could double in size to 10 million people by 2040.
Arizona Republic; April 9
Forest Service to repair, restore high mountain lakes in Utah
Years of planning and debate have led the Forest Service to begin work dismantling and restoring high mountain lakes that were dammed to increase their capacity, some nearly a century ago, and the end result will be healthier headwaters and more irrigation water stored closer to the users.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 9
Cost of Wyoming wolf litigation increases as debate drags on
Wyoming has spent between $20,000 and $30,000 on wolf litigation during the last two years, and that number could continue to climb, but Wyoming lawmakers are confident a deal will be reached soon, especially if Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is chosen to lead the Interior Department.
Casper Star-Tribune; April 9
Opinion
Immigration reform is up to the president
If President Bush is serious about immigration reform, he'd better mobilize his party and create some consensus, otherwise any attempts at reform will end up as road kill, like the Senate's failed attempts from last week.
New York Times; April 9
Debate on Latino students must not begin with presumption of failure
A report on why some schools with Latino students beat the odds and some don't is worth learning from and shows how school leaders can be successful by combining creativity, flexibility and a bit of ingenuity.
Arizona Republic; April 9
Dam proposals on Colorado river raise big questions
Proposals for several dam and reservoir projects on the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins are designed to meet growing water needs, but raise important questions about fiscal responsibility, environmental impacts, rapid growth and economic sustainability, and a new coalition offers some alternatives. A guest column.
Denver Post; April 9
News of Montana Senate candidate's affair fuels blogger speculations
News that Montana Democratic Senate candidate and state Auditor John Morrison had an affair has many bloggers speculating on whether the news will hurt his political aspirations, and many think it will. A column with a good string of reader comments.
Billings Gazette; April 9
Yellowstone grizzlies aren't ready for delisting
The Bush administration is likely going to make delisting of the Yellowstone grizzly population a political game, but scientifically, the grizzlies shouldn't be delisted until their population is connected to other populations, otherwise we risk losing our national heritage. A column by Doug Peacock.
Deseret News (Los Angeles Times); April 9
Beyond the region
Arizona senator on the road to cement his conservative base
Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain traveled to several eastern states to mobilize and solidify his conservative base, but some supporters wonder how far he'll go to prove his allegiance to the Republican Party, especially given his independent nature.
New York Times; April 9
Quebec eyes Alberta oil revenue
National leaders want a bigger cut of the revenue brought in by energy development in Alberta, but province leaders say they are sharing enough of the wealth.
Calgary Herald; April 10
In depth
Poll says immigration becoming a bigger issue for Americans
A new AP-Ipsos poll shows that the anxiety over the immigration issue in this country has pushed the issue to the forefront of many American's lives alongside the economy and just behind the war in Iraq.
New York Times (AP); April 9
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Immigration advocates hope issue becomes one of civil rights
Organizers of some of the expected 60 pro-immigration rallies that will take place in cities across the country today would like to see that momentum turn into a civil rights movement, but right now, they lack a natural leader. Part of the Post's special report on immigration.
Washington Post; April 9
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Utah employer relies too much on employees to fret over status
At least one Utah employer is happy to hire and support illegal immigrant workers because he says they work hard, are honest and need the job as much as he needs them. With links to several other articles on the immigration issue in Utah.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 9
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Not all Latinos united on immigration reform
The hundreds of thousands of Latinos joining pro-immigration reform rallies in Phoenix and other cities give the impression that Latinos are united on the issue, but many are against illegal immigrants gaining a clear path to citizenship and want to see the borders tightened.
Arizona Republic; April 10
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