Huntsman dismisses 'sideshow' legislation

And Huntsman said he hasn't given much thought to a Senate bill that initially advocated allowing state political parties to write new rules that would let party members in the Utah House and Senate pick nominees for the U.S. Senate.

"I'm generally for democracy," the governor said, noting the U.S. Constitution was amended in 1914 "for the better" and that the public at large should have a say in the political primary process.

"I think that whenever we can encourage more people to express themselves, and therefore the will of our population, through a vote — primary or general election — we're that much better served," he said.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said he believes the bill will end up being sent to interim for further study. A similar fate could await the other message bills if they are not defeated by lawmakers.

Still, even though Huntsman appears determined to steer lawmakers away from such issues, several lawmakers said Thursday it's too soon to declare them dead yet. Valentine said the governor did not raise his concerns in a recent meeting with legislative leadership.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who is carrying Buttars' bills in his absence, said he hasn't heard that legislation was in trouble. The issues may have been labeled ridiculous by some, but "they're not ridiculous to the people that support them," Bramble said.

"To marginalize something that's important to an individual or a group . . . to say, well we shouldn't be dealing with that, maybe we shouldn't," he said. "But it is certainly the legislative prerogative to bring those issues forward and have a legislative debate."

Bramble, who also backs the 17th Amendment legislation, said sending it to interim doesn't mean lawmakers aren't committed to pursuing the issue. "There's nothing negative about that," he said. "It's hard to argue it's not a serious issue."

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