It has become a tradition that those legislators go to the joint meetings — and at a time where they can attend Southern Utah University's Shakespeare Festival. In years past, some lobbyists have also shown up in Cedar City at the same time to provide festival tickets to lawmakers.

A note of warning this year, however, from the legislative leaders. Leaders approved 11 senators and 31 House members to attend the official Cedar City meetings. An official quorum in the Senate is 15 senators, while the House's quorum is at 38.

It would be illegal for a majority of senators and House members to meet in official work without Huntsman calling a special session of the Legislature, which of course he's not doing for the Cedar City meetings. So extra lawmakers had better not show up for the meetings, leaders said.

"Off to Shakespeare again," one House Democratic leader muttered as the management committee approved of the special Cedar City meetings.

Leaders also agreed that there would not be an official site visit by the whole Legislature this year because too many other meetings are scheduled for this summer. Usually all 104 part-time lawmakers visit a part of the state to conduct town meetings and learn about the locale's issues.

Joked House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy: "Since almost half the Legislature will be in Cedar City in July anyway, maybe they can hold some town meetings and we'll just call it good."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com