— The most publicized battle between the governor and legislative branch will be over booze — the governor's proposal to eliminate private club memberships.

— Some brave legislators will use the budget crisis to squeeze greater efficiencies from state government, and the screaming escalates.

— Utah and D.C. will not receive additional congressional representation because a flurry of lawsuits will effectively prevent the state and the District of Columbia from holding elections.

— The health-care reform proposals unveiled by Speaker Dave Clark and Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack are well received from most sectors. But economics and sheer logistics prevent approval by the Legislature, and many programs are pushed to the 2009 interim.

— The University of Utah football team dominates college football media from the Bowl Championship Series formula fallout. Sportswriters continually refer to this great crime as "The Utah Tragedy." (Not be confused with the other great Utah football tragedy — BYU.)

— Utahns follow the admonishments from religious leaders to practice frugality and curb spending. Thus, the local economy recovers only slightly in the third and fourth quarters.

National predictions:

— The honeymoon between congressional Democrats and President Obama ends quickly. Republicans (including LaVarr) warm to the centrist 44st chief executive for not bending to the "Liberal Lions" in Congress.

— A Republican is overwhelmingly elected to the office of chief dogcatcher in a rural New England hamlet. The GOP hails this as evidence of their resurgence.

— A famous psychic channels the spirits of Warren Harding, Franklin Pierce, Richard Nixon and James Buchanan, all expressing gratitude to George W. Bush for removing them from consideration as the nation's worst president.

— The prediction you can take to the bank: LaVarr will continue his perfect record of being wrong.

Politicians (especially Frank) are always late for everything. So here are a few more 2009 resolutions from politicos who missed our deadline last week:

Salt Lake City Council member JT Martin. Personal: "Use less and reuse more. Also, it would do me some good to lose several pounds (perhaps more than several)." Political: "Promote more compassion, more understanding, more transparency and learn more about every topic that I have a decision or influence in."