Utah's legislators exercising power

Pignanelli: Political academics often recite Lord Acton's famous phrase "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." I prefer the sanguine observation from former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, "Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."

The 2007 general session will be remembered for years as historic. LaVarr details below the major policy initiatives that have, and will likely be, constructed during these 45 days. But what cannot be ignored is how lawmakers have exercised their political prowess in an unprecedented fashion this winter. The Legislature has been the strongest force in state government for many years but until January has not exercised its influence in a strategic and comprehensive manner.

Throughout history, absolute power is best illuminated when initiatives are undertaken without regard to the opposition, and this legislative session is no different. Despite outspoken public resistance to vouchers and the soccer stadium, the Legislature wasted little time in securing these items. Indeed, the Legislature mandated Salt Lake County to build the developments surrounding the stadium. The food sales portion of the boutique taxes (i.e. Zoo Arts Park sales taxes in Salt Lake County) will likely be removed, despite the inconvenient fact that these assessments are routinely supported in referenda. ("When you've got it, flaunt it!")

There are several reasons why the Legislature is exercising its authority with success. First, legislative leadership is not allowing the expenditure of time and resources on controversial "message bills" that dominated deliberations in prior sessions. This practical approach is liberating lawmakers to focus on education, tax and transportation issues. Second, while the governor can usually get what he wants, he is limiting his involvement in the legislative process. This is providing greater maneuvering room for legislators to pursue their agenda. Further, House Speaker Greg Curtis established specific, identifiable goals for his caucus to accomplish this year. No one doubts most items on this list will be satisfied. Finally, Curtis and Senate President John Valentine are experienced politicos eager to exercise their political muscle in state government.

Most politicians view power as a checking account — every time you expend this resource, the account is diminished. Curtis and Valentine know this perception is wrong. Obtaining and using raw power is more equivalent to investing in stocks. The more you risk, the more opportunities exist to capture windfalls and even greater amounts of power. Legislative leaders are investing — and risking — their political capital.

In other words, legislators are learning that absolute power is "kind of neat."