'05 Legislature: Helped or hurt?

With the 2005 Utah Legislature now history, which Utahns were helped or hurt by lawmaker's actions?

Helped

• NATIONAL GUARDSMEN: If called up for active duty, they will qualify for a state income-tax break.

• DAY CARE PROVIDERS: Health department investigators are prevented from checking anonymous complaints.

• UTAH CORPORATIONS: Now they can figure their state income taxes two different ways, potentially costing the state $7 million in lost tax revenues.

• MOVIE AND TV PRODUCERS: There's now a newly minted $1 million fund to promote film development within Utah.

• LEAD-FOOT DRIVERS: No Photocop will look over their shoulders in 2005.

• HILL AIR FORCE BASE: An approved $5 million kitty will help keep the base open.

• TRANSPLANT DONORS: Someone giving a kidney for transplantation will qualify for a tax credit for unreimbursed expenses such as lost wages and lodging.

• HOME SCHOOLERS: School board requirements, including standardized testing and home inspections, have been barred.

• BICYCLISTS: Motorists may be ticketed for failing to maintain a distance of 3 feet when passing a bicycle.

• LOBBYISTS AND LEGISLATORS: Lawmakers didn't see a need to further restrict their gifts from lobbyists.

• HATEMONGERS Lawmakers once again failed to boost penalties for those who commit crimes based on hate or bias.

• THE HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME: Separate $500,000 expenditures were given to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund and Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund.

• MENTALLY ILL CRIMINALS: More than $1.2 million was OK'd to provide more open beds at Utah State Hospital.

• LARGE UTAH FAMILIES: They dodged a big tax bullet when the Jones-Mascaro bill, which would have taxed them more to educate their children, was shipped off to interim study.

• SURROGATES: Couples wanting to contract with a surrogate mother to have a baby will now have an easier time

• MEDICAID INELIGIBLE MENTALLY ILL: They can now receive services at community mental health centers.

• STATE OFFICE OF EDUCATION: Lawmakers failed to hear a bill codifying HIV/AIDS prevention education, which would have opened the door to unwanted sex education restrictions.

Hurt

• PARENTS OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN DAY CARE: Health departments prohibited from investigating anonymous complaints against providers.

• DRUG ABUSERS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW: A program promoting drug rehab in lieu of jail time was a late budgetary casualty.

• CITY GOVERNMENTS: Those seeking RDA dollars to recruit retail development must wait out a one-year moratorium.