Second, Utah County is represented at the highest levels of state government — Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert started as a Utah County Commissioner and Senate President John Valentine is from Orem, while House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander is a Provo resident. This area can claim a legislative delegation of strong personalities with effective parliamentary skills who hold key legislative assignments, including House Rules Chairwoman Rebecca Lockhart and Senate Tax Committee Chairman Curtis Bramble. For the next several years, these individuals will influence every major policy decision in state government (especially transportation and education).

Third, another element in this turmoil is the Utah Transit Authority. Angered at high salaries for executives and a quasi-governmental status impervious to legislative reach, lawmakers have built entire careers kicking at this organization. During the 1990s, UTA was subjected to various legislative attacks in response to its aggressive planning for light rail. Although TRAX is very popular, some politicos are nervous about expanding UTA's authority through the building of more light- and heavy-rail systems.

Many Utahns are hungry for the coordinated and efficient transportation system that LaVarr describes, which benefits consumers and businesses. Yet these visionary plans may remain hostage to the quirkiness of Utah County and the ever-lingering suspicions about UTA.

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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 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.