A new newspaper poll shows 86 percent of Utahns want B & C radioactive wastes banned from disposal in the state. Asked in floor debate this week to give one good reason why such wastes should be banned when experts say they can safely be stored, Rep. Steve Urquhart said: "Because the people want it" banned. And he's right, they do.

But then four GOP senators refused to even let a hate-crimes bill be debated in the Senate, even though 63 percent of Utahns told Jones they favor enhanced penalties for hate crimes. No doubt those four senators know more about hate crimes than do citizens.

And year after year, large majorities of Utahns say they want to ban gifts to legislators from the lobbyists paid to influence them. Yet year after year legislators won't even advance gift-banning bills to the floor of the House or Senate for debate.

Hey, I do believe legislators know more about taking lobbyists' gifts than do regular citizens — who aren't getting those gifts.

In any case, while some new faces come into the Legislature each year — even new faces into the governor's office, too — the issues often remain the same.

Over the next three weeks, legislators and Huntsman will strike a balance in spending. They'll wrestle over the powers in the executive and legislative branches of government. They'll give pay raises to state workers (never quite enough). They'll fund public and higher education (certainly never enough).

And they'll try to make the paying of taxes, the driving of cars, the messy issues of divorce, parental rights and hundreds of other societal concerns, more fair and just.

You might want to watch the next 19 days until adjournment. If you're sitting at a computer, you may even want to tune in via Web streaming of House and Senate floor debates by going to www.le.state.ut.us.

After all, imperfect as the process may be, the legislators are working long hours trying to make the best decisions they can. And it's the only Legislature we've got. The one you elected.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com