Are legislators out of touch and just catering to narrow interests?

Once again the Utah Legislature is receiving national media attention — much of it from comedians. Every year questions arise about the motives and sanity of our lawmakers. Are legislators out of touch and just catering to narrow interests? As usual, we're happy to weigh in.

Is the Utah Legislature a bunch of right-wing crazy goofballs who don't represent mainstream Utah?

Pignanelli: "The world is not going to be saved by legislation," William Howard Taft said. Contrary to public perception, most legislators are rational humans serving for the right reason (almost all their legislation is technical … and boring). However, lawmakers are political animals ultra sensitive to the pressures of aggressive constituents and special interest groups. Many of the weird bills are the results of legislators catering to right-wing or left-wing extremists. This dynamic is compounded by Utah's delegate/convention system where a handful of wackos can determine the political destiny of a candidate.

I opine from experience. During a decade of otherwise exemplary public service at the Capitol, I promoted really strange things. My motives were never pure, either invigorating a political base or preempting a "liberal longhair" from causing mischief at the next convention. Since mainstream Utahns are not engaged in such political nonsense, legislative activities only confuse, irritate or amuse them. Best to laugh and enjoy the ride.

Webb: Well, no. That is such a silly question it must have been written by Frank. In some people's minds, you're a smart, upstanding citizen until you get elected as a legislator. Then you automatically become an idiot. Legislators are your neighbors and friends. They are community leaders. They are business people, attorneys, homemakers, retirees, medical professionals, teachers and so forth. They were selected by their peers to serve. The legislative process is inherently chaotic and looks messy. Try making tough decisions with a committee of 104 sometime.

But when the final gavel whacks the podium at midnight on March 10, the people's work will have been accomplished — the budget will be balanced and most of the silly legislation will have been cast aside. The accolades Utah is receiving as the best managed state with a solid economy didn't happen accidentally. Overall, Utahns are well-served by their citizen lawmakers.

Returning lawmaker Rep. LaVar Christensen is sponsoring legislation on controversial moral issues, especially gay/lesbian matters. One of his bills would circumvent the antidiscrimination ordinances — supported by the LDS Church — implemented by a number of local governments. Will Christensen prevail in his crusade?