Lack of civility mars session

Usually, the Utah Legislature behaves like an ideal participatory democracy. In committee meetings, senators and representatives listen politely to the public's testimony, and civility rules.

But not always in the 2006 general session:

• Lorena Riffo-Jensen, a naturalized citizen from Chile, attended a meeting of the House Education Committee on Feb. 2. She wanted to testify about HB7, which would abolish in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. About 100 people showed up in opposition to the bill, of whom around four were prepared to speak, she said.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, brought in two people whose testimony supported the bill. The committee asked questions of an assistant Utah attorney general concerning legal aspects. Then the committee chairwoman, Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, said, "I can see that we will not have time for public comment."

Riffo-Jensen said opponents made a big investment in time and effort to attend and prepare statements. "To me," Riffo-Jensen said, "this really didn't seem like America."

• Linda Hilton, director of the Coalition of Religious Communities, attended a meeting of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Feb. 17. She waited more than an hour to testify.

In response to the question asking who in the audience would like to make a statement, "I raised my hand," she said. She was wearing a red blazer among the 30 people present.

She moved up to the second row behind those supporting the bill. After four representatives of groups like the Utah Mining Association testified supporting the bill, Hilton rose to speak.

Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, the committee chairman, then said, "Back to the committee for questions, comments or motions."

"I don't believe we completed public testimony," responded Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake. "We heard only testimony about those who are in support of that, and I think if there are those that have a different view, we should hear from them as well."

Harper responded, "I called on the people who I saw. . . . We have about one and a half minutes before we have to be on the (House) floor."

Said Rep. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, "There was another person at least raising their hand that I saw. I don't know if the chair has time for it."

Harper: "I didn't see that, and I'm sorry."

The committee then approved the bill and adjourned.

• Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, ripped the news media on Feb. 16 during a meeting of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. The subject was a proposal to tighten rules on lobbyist gifts. Brief excerpts from his nine-minute speech: