Low-key lawmaking

It's an election year, after all. That explains why lawmakers, in their now-concluded 2008 general session, took a measured approach to most issues and delivered a fairly sizeable funding increase for the state's public education system.

After Utah voters soundly overturned the nation's broadest private school voucher program, which was narrowly approved by the Legislature in the 2007 session, legislative leaders were circumspect about which battles to fight. They made a considerable effort on the part of teachers and schoolchildren, even as revenue projections fell short of earlier expectations.

Even the hotly debated issue of immigration reforms fizzled when state lawmakers agreed the omnibus immigration bill, SB81, would not go into effect until 2009. The Legislature also approved a task force to study the issue before the next session, which assures the rhetoric will continue. Legislators wisely backed off repealing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students and revoking driver privilege cards.

One especially bright note on Utah's Capitol Hill was the passage of an animal cruelty law that makes torturing a dog or a cat a felony. Henry the dog, who survived being placed in a hot oven and being chased by a leaf blower, became a fixture in the halls of the Capitol as lawmakers debated the matter, which eventually was resolved through compromise.

The Legislature also changed the state's liquor laws increasing the standard size of an alcohol shot in a cocktail from 1 ounce to 1.5 ounces while banishing wine coolers from grocery stores, where they can more readily fall into the hands of minors. It has long been a goal of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., to make sensible changes to Utah's liquor laws.

Perhaps one of the most important issues handled by lawmakers was HB133, which sets in motion a task force process to reform Utah's health-care system. The underlying goals are to improve quality, ensure every Utahn has coverage and reduce costs. House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara, has led thoughtful debate of these highly complex issues.

For the many productive actions on the part of the Legislature, the session was marred by careless, hurtful and ill-informed remarks on the part of a few lawmakers. Unfortunately, these events paint all lawmakers in a bad light, even though the vast majority are thoughtful in their deliberations and public remarks. The fallout of these episodes also detracted from other pressing legislative business. We hope these matters have been instructive to all in public life. In particular, when one insults an individual or a class of people, a heartfelt and quick apology should be the first order of business.

Voters should assess for themselves the performance of their respective representative, senator and the Legislature as a whole. Then, they should exercise their right to vote on Nov. 4. It's an election year, after all.