Legislature's best, worst and what it all means
Best statesman: Senate President John Valentine delegated the heavy lifting of weighty issues to Sens. Bramble and Michael Waddoups (who courageously questioned IHC activities) while he maintained a serene public persona. Valentine let the House gang pummel the governor's office while he enhanced his personal relationship with Jon Huntsman Jr.
Worst vote counters: Tuition tax credit supporters proclaimed (to the point of obnoxiousness) they possessed a clear majority of representatives who supported their proposals. Personal phone calls from the governor to legislators could not deliver the victory they anticipated. The final vote was 34-40-1.
Worst reason to pass a bill: Legislation to strip drivers' licenses from undocumented workers was justified because a recent audit suggests 14 of the 85,000 illegal immigrants with these permits may have voted in 2004. (I wager more dead people "cast ballots" than these noncitizens.)
Worst reason to defeat a bill: Using questionable logic that "a crime is a crime," lawmakers killed hate-crimes legislation that would have enhanced penalties for offenses against people based on bigotry but increased penalties for people who desecrate the body of a person they just murdered.
Best prime minister: Speaker Greg Curtis provided more than just administrative guidance to the House, he set state policy by determining what initiatives (from the governor and Senate) would be enacted and those that would be further studied.
Best demonstration of family values: Legislative intern Ben Kingery proposed marriage to fellow intern Gaby Bradford on the Senate floor, before a chamber of amused senators and a gallery of confused lobbyists. Of course, these two budding politicos are Democrats who work for Democratic legislators.
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
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