Legislature's best, worst — and what it all means

Best demonstration of family values: Legislative intern Ben Kingery proposed marriage to fellow intern Gaby Bradford on the Senate floor, before a chamber of amused senators and a gallery of confused lobbyists. Of course, these two budding politicos are Democrats who work for Democratic legislators.

Worst example that imitation is flattery: For years Sen. Patrice Arent has authored legislation to prevent storage of higher levels of radioactive waste. After the sale of Envirocare, expressing concern with such dumping became a newfound fad among politicians. Republican senators wasted no time sponsoring and passing legislation remarkably similar to the proposals pushed by Arent, with little credit to her efforts.

Best use of a new age activity: Rep. John Dougal cobbled together a bizarre coalition of political enemies who otherwise detest each other (i.e. Utah Taxpayers Association, UEA) to support his RDA reform efforts — a process he publicly described as a "group hug."

Webb: Legislative sessions never wrap everything up in neat packages with pretty pink bows on top. Legislative action always sparks reactions and ramifications. So here are some things to watch for as the impact of the session gets sorted out:

• If Utah's economy stays strong and tax revenue keeps pouring in, watch for a tax cut next year. High tax revenues can lubricate tax reform, which will be a big-time agenda item in the coming year. Having extra money makes it easy to reduce some taxes while increasing others and still provide an overall tax cut. For example, the sales tax could be extended to services, broadening the tax base while reducing the rate and reducing overall taxes. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has made tax reform a major priority and lawmakers responded with a task force to focus on reform.

• The battle over tuition tax credits may temporarily move from the legislative arena to the election arena. School choice supporters may sit out next year's session to focus on defeating school choice opponents in 2006. The handful of Republican lawmakers who voted against tax credits in fear of teacher union retaliation had better hope the UEA comes through for them in the 2006 Republican conventions that are typically dominated by conservatives. School choice supporters won on Carson Smith vouchers but lost on tuition tax credits. They are well-organized, well-funded and will be out recruiting candidates.