Good and bad of 2004 Legislature

Webb: While conservative legislation always catches the interest of the news media, there really wasn't much out of the ordinary in this session. A few such bills passed. Most died. Sure, lawmakers were "political" in this election year. But that simply means they were sensitive to their constituents. What's wrong with that?

Pignanelli: Utahns abhor their lawmakers spending precious time debating whether the United States should exit the United Nations and praising President Bush for protecting us from nonexistent weapons of mass destruction. I understand the political need for the occasional "message" bill. However, the best message the Legislature can send is one of tolerance and compassion — i.e., fixing the hate-crimes statute.

Guns and Colleges

Pignanelli: Legislators refused to fund much-needed seismic upgrades at the University of Utah Marriott Library because the university has received "too much" state support. Too bad the university did not designate the library a "mandatory gun" zone —the money would have rolled in.

Webb: Citizens are going to have to step up and decide through a ballot initiative if they want guns in schools. A majority in the Legislature clearly wants guns everywhere.

Speaker Marty Stephens

Webb: He didn't hit any home runs, but neither did he strike out. He was fair, relatively quiet and effective and competent in running the House and dealing with the big issues. He took care of the state's major needs, balanced the budget, and had a generally good session. The impact on his gubernatorial campaign was minimal. The question for Stephens is that with the session now over, does he lose his leverage for fund-raising and coalition building?

Pignanelli: Marty Stephens conducted his last session as speaker with quiet dignity, "too quiet" for most political observers. Although legislators were satisfied he didn't use the position for political gain, some public posturing would have helped in name identification and demonstrating his extensive knowledge of state issues.

Gov. Olene Walker