Along with losing the power, prestige and gavel that come with being Senate president, Al Mansell will lose copious amounts of seating when he relinquishes the top leadership position next week.

Assorted chairs and couches are seemingly everywhere in the spacious office reserved for the president, enough that Mansell, R-Sandy, sarcastically offers a seat "if you can find one." It is a joke made in the same dry wit he employed during his four years at the helm of the Senate, and one that he will now use on the floor of the Senate.

Mansell's departure from the Senate presidency while he still has time in office is unique, since almost all presidents leave the top position only when they retire or lose their Senate seats. After four years as president, however, he felt it was best for the Senate if he passed the gavel to somebody new — in this case, Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem.

"I don't think that anyone should serve for more time than this," he said. "After too long, the power starts to consolidate. The state is better served by changing leaders every four years."

Although he is hesitant to cite specific accomplishments from his time leading the Senate, he is proud of the way the Senate operated as a civil, professional group. Thanks to good working relationships with leaders of both parties, Mansell felt that business was conducted well, even during contentious times.

"There was a spirit of cooperation in the Senate, more than I'd ever seen," he said. "It was found on both sides of the aisle, and it made life more enjoyable."

Returning to the Senate floor will also mean the rebirth of Mansell-sponsored bills, since he refused to sponsor any while president despite every president before having sponsored at least a few bills each year. It will also mean that he will be more involved in debates and committee hearings, something he is eyeing with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"I don't know if I'm looking forward to it, but I'm always up for a new challenge," he said. "I think I'll be able to provide some insight to my colleagues that I learned as president."

Among the bills he would like to see passed are tuition tax credits or school choice, at least in some form. While those bills have failed in previous years, he expects that they will get much more serious consideration during this session because of a recent Utah State University study that showed that the state could save money if tuition tax credits were in place.

"I think we've set the wheels in motion, and the opportunity has been increased," he said. "Over the next few years we'll see it progress."

As for the incoming president, Mansell said his best advice would be to "make a decision and stick to it" unless compelling evidence is presented to prompt a change. A leader who cannot make a decision will not be respected.

"Be a tree trunk, not a limb blowing back and forth in the breeze," he said.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com