Lawmakers to consider 15 items on Tuesday

They adjourned their general session just six weeks ago, but Utah lawmakers will consider 15 items — a large number by historic standards — in a Tuesday special session.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who under Utah law is authorized to call the session and set the agenda, stated in a proclamation issued Thursday that the items "require immediate legislative attention."

The most controversial among them will likely be a "compromise" position on giving $4 million in state funds to the Salt Palace Convention Center expansion. Construction work on the $62 million expansion is already under way, but funding is still up in the air.

Legislative leaders said that battle, with undertones of GOP lawmakers' continued dissatisfaction with Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson, could well pit Salt Lake County House and Senate members against lawmakers from outside of Utah's largest metropolitan area.

Senators could become especially feisty, and just last week Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said he was "lukewarm" to the idea of funneling $4 million in state funds to the downtown convention center, which is owned and operated by Salt Lake County. But Thursday, he said that all of the items on the agenda were agreed upon by legislative leaders and Huntsman, with the only surprises being what was left off of the agenda.

"The governor was very good about having his staff and himself participating in what would go on the call," Valentine said. "It's basically a consensus call . . . I would be surprised if (all of the bills) don't pass, as modified. They are all issues which need to be handled this year."

In the House, the convention center funding plan could face an easier road because Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, supports the measure. Curtis did not return phone calls Thursday night.

The county's total convention expansion project costs $82 million. Roughly $20 million of that would fund a new parking garage for the South Town Expo Center. The county pays the most, but Salt Lake City is pitching in $8 million and the state $4 million, according to a compromise worked out by various groups last week.

Another influential Utah County senator said Thursday he isn't overly excited about spending state funds on the Salt Palace.

"If I had to vote today, I would not support it, but I am willing to listen to the arguments," said Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo.

Farther north, in Weber County, Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is more entrenched.

"Frankly, Weber County is a long way from Salt Lake City," he said Thursday. "I'm not going to support it." Jenkins maintains if Salt Lake City leaders were better behaved, they would have their convention center money.