Let the session begin

Although he's a new face on the Senate floor, today's opening of the Utah Legislature's 2005 General Session feels like a return to form for one senator.

Thanks to two terms as a state representative from 1999 to 2002, Sen. Fred Fife, D-Salt Lake, is more concerned about the bills he hopes to pass than he is the opening day of the session. Not that he doesn't remember the first day of his first session, however.

"I've had some experience, so I don't have the anticipation of a true freshman," Fife said. "But it is different in the Senate, so I am excited for the opportunity."

Unlike many true freshman legislators who tend to focus more on learning the process and building relationships, Fife expects to be "fairly active" with bills. The biggest problem he foresees for his bills is that they stem from problems somewhat unique to his district, such as the pollution and stench of a tire recycling plant on Salt Lake's westside.

Today marks the opening of the 56th Utah Legislature, a session that will conclude after 45 days of work by the stroke of midnight on March 2. For 17 of the 75 representatives and three of the 29 senators, it will also be either the start of their first session as an elected official or — for those who have either moved to a different chamber or have returned to a position they held previously — serve as a reunion with the legislative process.

Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, who is a true freshman, said that she feels "as ready as I can ever be" for the upcoming session. Along with legislative staff, she said a big help has been her fellow representatives.

"Most of the legislators have been very helpful and willing to share their expertise," she said. "Everybody seems to realize we're all there for only a short time and need to work together."

As for her plans, she expects to "do a lot of listening and learning, but that's something that even longtime legislators should do."

As always, the session begins on a day that much of the nation considers a holiday to recognize the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Because of the state's constitutional mandate, however, the Utah Legislature must open on the third Monday of January, making a conflict with the holiday unavoidable without a constitutional amendment.

Typically, the first day is reserved primarily for pomp and circumstance, and today's events will be no different. Floor time for the House and Senate will consist of welcoming remarks from legislative leaders, opening prayers and recognition of King's birthday.

Along with the normal opening-day events, Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham will deliver the State of the Judiciary speech in the afternoon. There is also an afternoon event recognizing the police officers who searched the Salt Lake County landfill for the body of Lori Hacking and military personnel from Utah.

Real activity in the Legislature will probably not actually begin until closer to the end of the week. The first committee hearings are scheduled for Tuesday morning, although all of the afternoon committees are cancelled that day to allow legislators time to travel to Fillmore for that evening's State of the State speech by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com