So the seeds of discord are essentially built into the system, as the founders intended. The big issues of tax reform, education funding, transportation funding, and tuition tax credits will strain the honeymoon, particularly if Huntsman pushes a specific agenda without a lot of room for compromise. Both sides will also want to show some leadership and independence.

Huntsman already rankled some legislators during the campaign by proposing ethics reform and suggesting that sessions be held every other year. So an arms-length executive-legislative relationship is about the best that can be expected.

Meanwhile, Valentine and Curtis seem to be settling into their leadership posts. Even though both have been in leadership, they are feeling the weight of their new responsibilities.

It's up to them to build consensus to fund the needs of state government while balancing the budget and dealing with the pressing issues of the day.

Valentine put it this way: "There are 29 of us in the Senate, with different personalities, different perspectives. We have two political parties but lots of subgroups within those parties. To get anything done, I have to muster 15 votes in my chamber; Greg needs 38 votes in his, and we need one vote from across the plaza."

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.

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