How long can Huntsman remain a diplomat?

Freshman Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has apparently set a modern-day record for vetoes — only one bill that mattered was struck down by the governor this week.

Huntsman actually vetoed two bills by Tuesday's midnight deadline. But the sponsor of one actually asked him to veto it.

Huntsman also struck out three budget line items, but only because they represented double-funding, or the failure of last-minute legislation in the House or Senate required the budget vetoes.

So he really only struck down one item that most legislators actually wanted.

Talk about being a nice guy to lawmakers.

Huntsman's only meaningful veto came on HB42, a bill that would have restricted teacher and/or public school administrators' discussions with parents of emotionally troubled schoolchildren. Huntsman said such communication is important, and, besides, the bill also said parents could pre-approve special tests a child may be given. And that's not a good policy either, Huntsman said.

Legislative leaders say there is likely no chance two-thirds of House and Senate members care enough about HB42 to call an override session.

I reviewed the gubernatorial vetoes back through 1993 — the tenures of former Govs. Olene Walker and Mike Leavitt, Republicans like Huntsman.

In 2001 Leavitt vetoed only three bills, the lowest number of his 11 years in office. Once Leavitt vetoed 12 bills.

And after the 1993 Legislature, Leavitt's first in office, he vetoed an education bill that resulted in a one-day walkout by a number of Utah teachers.

Likewise, Walker vetoed a bill last spring that caused a public outcry, a veto that definitely harmed her politically in her defeat in the 2004 Republican state convention.

Clearly, Huntsman is taking a different approach, at least in his first year in office.

A legislative leader who was around during the Leavitt/Walker years says one reason Huntsman has gotten along so well with legislators is that he personally courts them, and appears to actually listen to them.

Minority Democrats say Huntsman talked to them more than Leavitt and Walker did, even though Huntsman probably didn't really need any Democratic votes this session.

GOP leaders say Huntsman didn't demand large increases in employee pay raises this year, nor was his request for increased school funding so out of line that conservative legislators couldn't accept it.