This action by Curtis (President Valentine is sure to follow), ensures the presence of political activists with substantial standing who can spend every waking minute working to fulfill the legislative agenda, even when lawmakers are not present. These individuals will become the alter egos of the speaker and president and enjoy an elevated status that the other branches of government, state agencies and lobbyists will need to respect.

Any plans Huntsman has to re-establish sovereignty over state operations now face even more obstacles. Also, this is not good news for Democrats. During my tenure as House Minority Leader, occasionally I could distract Republican leadership on various issues and gain a temporary advantage in the media. Legislative Democrats will now have to work harder to outmaneuver their opponents.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is executive director of the state Department of Administrative Services in the Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. administration. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.