Legacy deal likely to pass

Thanks to support from House Democrats, the Legacy Parkway settlement agreement is likely to be approved by the Utah Legislature during a special session Wednesday.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker said Monday a majority of his caucus is "leaning toward or in favor" of approving the agreement. With the Democrats' support, the House looks to have enough votes — 38 — to finalize the deal.

"We have 19 members," said Becker, D-Salt Lake City. "A good majority, well over half, are in favor."

Senators have long maintained they have enough votes to pass the agreement, which requires a majority vote to pass.

House Democrats discussed their position and voting strategy during a caucus meeting early Monday. Part of the session was closed to the public, but during the open portion of the meeting, Democrats discussed concerns over several aspects of the final Legacy settlement.

Top concerns included: a ban on truck traffic on the road; cost; safety; lack of involvement in negotiating the agreement; a so-called ban on billboards; and the viability of another lawsuit against the road.

Carlos Braceras, deputy director of the Utah Department of Transportation, told Democrats he wasn't concerned about future lawsuits — those who signed the agreement are prohibited from suing again.

"I don't think there's a serious challenge to the road," he said. "This is not the type of project that there will be a challenge to without a lot of resources and time."

Becker expressed frustration with a provision in a framework settlement agreement that said "no billboards" would be alongside Legacy. In reality, billboards can be located on private property that adjoins the roadway, just not on state property.

"My own opinion is that you're underestimating the creativity of the billboard industry," Becker said. "While we say no billboards, I'll bet in 20 years from now, that won't be the result."

Still, Democrats ultimately spoke well of the agreement during their meeting. Becker disclosed the caucus' favorable position during a subsequent closed meeting with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

The meeting with Huntsman was to inform the governor where House Democrats stood in terms of the Legacy agreement. It was also "an opportunity to talk to the governor about issues we believe are important," Becker said.

House Democrats are not trading votes, however, in exchange for a favorable vote on the Legacy settlement, Becker said.

Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said the Democrats' position on the settlement was positive.

"We welcome votes, wherever they come from, for the Legacy Parkway," he said. "I think we'll be able to come up with 38 votes, and I think it'll move forward."

But it won't be easy.