Huntsman thanks lawmakers as session ends

Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. thanked lawmakers in the House and Senate as this year's legislative session came to a close on Thursday shortly after 11 p.m. — nearly an hour early — and promised them there would be no special session called anytime soon.

Huntsman, who is starting his second and final term as governor, told them this was "the most collaborative year in my not so long history."

The governor also praised the new leadership in the Legislature, House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, and Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville.

Referring to this year's revenue shortfalls, he told them they had "looked beyond the storm" and focused on what kind of state Utah would be when the storm eventually dissipated.

Huntsman singled out Senate Budget Chairman Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, and House Budget Chairman Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, for their years of experience in the Legislature and their handling of a difficult budget process.

"If ever we needed that kind of expertise, it was this year," Huntsman said.

— David Servatius and Lisa Riley Roche