"Redistricting is a legislative function and should stay there," Curtis said. Republicans have held majorities in the Utah House and Senate for 25 years and conducted redistricting in 1981, 1991 and 2001, drawing their own and the Democrats' districts.

"We have (internal) ethics committees, made up of the same number of Republicans and Democrats," said Curtis, who sees no need for a change there.

The biggest fight most likely will come over either banning lobbyist gifts to lawmakers or making public lawmakers' names who take gifts valued at less than $50.

Polls by the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV over the years show most Utahns want the gifts banned.

Providing more disclosure on who accepts lobbyists' gifts is fine by Valentine. "Disclosure is the light turned on for public officeholders. Banning lunches? Sometimes the lunch hour is the only time we can meet" with lobbyists and constituents to discuss issues, Valentine said.

If people want gifts banned altogether, then ban by name, says Curtis. "If we think legislators shouldn't be taking Jazz tickets, then ban athletic events. But that means you can't go to a University of Utah football game, either" as a guest of the U.

The U.'s year-end financial report shows that the school spent about $16,000 in 2004 entertaining legislators, U. trustees, Board of Regent members and other public officials.

---

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com