But the pettiness of a few of the members grows tiresome. And whether legislators recognize it or not, citizens who spend time at the Legislature see it and don't like it.

At the end of his complaining, Stephenson bemoaned the fact that — because of the irresponsible and unethical media — more good people don't want to run for office. "In a Senate district of 80,000 people there should be 10 or 12 good people" file to run each election.

He's right.

The next time there is a Utah Senate election in Stephenson's District 11 it would be nice if 10 or 12 good people filed to run.

And it's also nice that citizens can look up lobbyists' reports and see which legislators are taking $50 Jazz tickets, meals, golf games, lunches and dinners from people who are being paid a lot of money to influence them.

And it's too bad we won't know which legislators are taking $6 or $30 gifts.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com