As dozens of Utah legislators prepare to attend this August's annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle, a financial review of last year's conference in Salt Lake City shows Utah lawmakers were tight-fisted in their partying expenses.

They raised and spent $200,000 less than originally anticipated. But what else would you expect from a bunch of conservatives?

"It's our nature here (in Utah) to be frugal," says Senate Majority Leader Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, who served as co-chairman of the Legislature's NCSL Planning Committee, which raised the funds and organized the social events for the July 2004 convention.

The Utah Legislature was the official host. And as such, the host state originally was supposed to raise around $1 million — no small feat — to entertain and transport the estimated 5,000 legislators and guests visiting Salt Lake City.

In the past, hosting states appropriated taxpayer money for the large events, figuring such a convention brings in a lot more cash to the local economy than taxpayers are kicking out.

In fact, a financial report on Utah's 2004 national NCSL convention shows the event brought $6.5 million in direct benefit to the state.

But Utah lawmakers, led by former Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens, who just happened to be NCSL president last year, decided they would raise their share of the costs locally, from Utah businesses and lobbyists.

In the end, the Legislature, along with national sponsors who yearly contribute to the NCSL convention no matter where it is, raised just enough to cover the expenses — overall, around $784,000. That was well down from the original $1 million budget.

Besides the state's share, NCSL itself spent another $1 million in organizing the speakers and four-day meetings in the Salt Palace. The state's share was mainly for entertainment, transportation, child care and activities for legislators' spouses and kids.

And entertain, the local legislators did.

By all accounts, the teetotaling Utah legislators — around 80 percent are members of the LDS Church and don't drink alcohol — had a good time. They even spent $16,935.32 on beer and wine, the final report shows, although Utah legislators probably didn't drink much of it.

"The (visiting) legislators found Salt Lake City beautiful, clean and comfortable," says Knudson. "There were those who had worries — could they have a drink? They found out that those who chose to had no problem at all."

Beer and wine were not served, however, at the opening social event. That reception was alcohol-free because it was held on the then-new Capitol plaza. And by rule, the Capitol grounds are liquor-free. Later that night, the 4,400-plus attendees (fewer came than were expected) went to a concert on Temple Square by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a show that had many of the legislators from around the country talking about it for days.