But Buttars didn't ask caucus members to vote on whether they supported his proposals.

"That wasn't Sen. Buttars' desire today. He wanted to clear the air in terms of what he was working on and did not ask us to take any kind of position," said Senate Majority Leader Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City. "He feels there has been some misunderstanding" about his intentions — especially as they have been reported.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said, "The media has basically precluded any discussion on either the high school (gay-straight alliance) clubs or the debate about evolution, or divine design, saying this has already been settled in the courts.

"There may be some other alternatives that Sen. Buttars has pursued," Bramble said, that are "not inconsistent with court cases or established law."

Buttars said the caucus meeting inspired confidence.

"I walked away feeling very well received," he said.

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Contributing: Associated Press

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