From Deseret News archives:

Sun sets on session

Lawmakers pleased with 45 days' work

Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2005 11:29 p.m. MST
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Another example: tuition tax credits for parents who send their children to private schools barely died in the House a week ago, and never got a Senate vote. But you can count on it resurfacing in 2006, promises sponsor Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem.

In fact, legislators will likely be back on Capitol Hill in just six weeks. Huntsman, legislative leaders and the Bush White House will between now and then work on a compromise over No Child Left Behind testing, which may require a special legislative session April 20.

Between one-time revenue surpluses coming this year and revenue estimates for fiscal 2006, lawmakers had more than $600 million in new money to divvy up.

Before they convened Jan. 17, Huntsman and GOP majority party leaders announced there would be no general tax cuts, even with all the new money.

And they didn't give one. But some Utah businesses will get a corporate income tax break (about $7 million statewide) because lawmakers will allow their income taxes to be figure two different ways, the firm picking the most advantageous.

Huntsman says that "double-weighted" income tax for businesses, along with the tax task force, will still allow him to "sell" Utah as the place for business over the rest of 2005.

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The minority Democrats say this Legislature will be remembered as the "year of the roads," as Republicans were determined to pump more cash into clogged roads in Utah County and other areas.

But public education, universities and Human Services still got a lot more cash when the new fiscal year starts July 1, GOP lawmakers say. "Public education funding, when you include everything, will grow 7.5 to 8 percent," said Curtis. "That's pretty good."

At the governor's insistence, the state's tourism and economic development operations were revamped — with $18 million more going into those operations. And structural changes were made in other state departments as well.

University of Utah and Utah State University will get $8 million for STAR, a new high-tech/research development program, spending wanted by Huntsman and GOP leaders.

As in each Legislature, what did not get done may make a longer list than what did.

Both Senate and House committees killed a hate crimes bill that would have enhanced penalties for crimes against people and property motivated by bias, like hatred of one's religion, sexual preferences, race and so on.

Lawmakers refused to clarify — and perhaps reinforce — social contracts between unmarried couples. Following the constitutional amendment adoption last fall banning same-sex marriage, Huntsman and others said new social contract law should be adopted this session — but none was.

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Rep. Bud Bowman, R-Cedar City, and his wife, Marilyn, walk between buildings during a break in the hectic closing night proceedings of the Legislature on Wednesday evening.

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