This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Stephen Colbert went to town last week about Utah's newest town: Bryce Canyon City.

The comedic pundit devoted about five minutes of his "Colbert Report" to the company town, born out of Ruby's Inn at the gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Colbert mentioned what a tourist draw the park and inn are - even more so now that the latter features the world's largest tax loophole.

You see, Garfield County commissioners bid farewell to one of their sweetest tax sugar daddies by voting to allow Ruby's and surrounding properties to incorporate as Utah's 244th municipality. They had to because of a new state law. They then installed inn co-owner Rod Syrett as mayor.

Colbert reported that he had incorporated his show in similar fashion and, since it's a law peculiar to Utah, he had started broadcasting from here. He ended the spot with "Go Jazz . . . which I understand is some sort of athletic team."

Wouldn't it be nice if Colbert - who pokes delicious fun at conservatives by masquerading as one - visited Republican-rich Utah?

How 'bout it, Stephen? Come on out, catch a Jazz game. Stay at Ruby's and chat live with the new mayor. You also could sample the state's liquor laws, visit places where "Big Love" plays out for real and grill Rocky Anderson, the bluest of mayors stuck in the reddest of states.

Hey, Utah would treat you right - possibly far right.

Horiuchi to suit up?

Don't be surprised if you see Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi sporting a Utah Jazz jersey in the 2008 election. It just might fit his latest campaign slogan.

The Democratic councilman hinted this week that he might stick the faces of sports celebrities such as Larry Miller, Jerry Sloan or former NBA superstar Karl Malone on billboards next year with this catch-phrase endorsement:

"He's got game."

It's not glamorous. But with the November election and basketball season aligning so closely, Horiuchi sees fate. Not only can he appeal to the athletic world, but he also can tout himself as a power player in county politics with a first-string seat on the former commission and the current council.

Then again, Horiuchi said he hasn't decided whether to run again. But he certainly is leaning in that direction, stating that he's "getting closer and closer" to making his candidacy official.

Buhler's frugal vow

Boasting that he is the only mayoral candidate to help balance eight capital budgets, Dave Buhler is pledging fiscal stewardship through a new list of commitments to Salt Lake City's taxpayers.

If elected to lead the city, Buhler's promises include:

* No property-tax increases unless first approved by voters or in an emergency.

* No judgment levies, so long as they can be covered by the city's cash reserves.

* Five-year projections on costs and revenues to address long-term deficits.

* Property-tax relief through a tax credit for homeowners and renters 65 years of age or older.

* Strong fiscal management of city spending to root out inefficiencies.

* Focus on economic development to expand the city's tax base.

* Reducing property-tax rates in proportion to increased property values.