Capitol's now silent, but there were many standouts

Published: Sunday, March 15, 2009 12:01 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

The legislative session has ended. Tired lawmakers have returned home to their families and jobs. The denizens of the governor's office are breathing a sigh of relief, glad to have a quiet Capitol again, all to themselves.

During the very challenging session, many legislators and issues involved with lawmaking developed reputations that we document here:

The Jokester: Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack (He's quickly becoming the master of quips and repeating quirky sayings, providing some needed comic relief.)

The Dry Wit: Sen. Scott McCoy (The clever remarks come at you dry and fast but are worth it.)

Mr. Guns, God and Ronald Reagan: Numerous candidates, but the standouts include Rep. Curt Oda, Sen. Mark Madsen, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom and Rep. Carl Wimmer.

The Voice of Reason: Sen. Pat Jones (She keeps a cool, calm demeanor even in disagreement. It's hard to pick a fight with this bright, articulate businesswoman.)

Story continues below

Mr. Consensus: Sen. John Valentine (Only someone with his intelligence and kind demeanor could bring together tavern owners and the LDS church and construct historic changes in Utah's liquor laws.)

The 2009 Hatfield vs. McCoy Issues: The ambulance wars, fisherman vs. landowners, 1-800-Contacts vs. every other Internet company (reminiscent of the never-ending bank/credit union battles).

Mr. Personality: Sen. Daniel Liljenquist (He may be a rookie, but he stole the show when he, accompanied by his wife on the piano, serenaded the Senate with his troubadour skills.)

The Dealmaker: Sen. Curt Bramble (Famous for brashness, the former wrestler maintained a fairly low public profile and focused his bounteous energies crafting compromises on multiple legislative activities — including protecting public access to government records.)

Recent comments

Mr. Conflict of Interest: Just about everybody.

Oh Please | March 15, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.

As a lobbyist myself I would love to have an article in the newspaper...

My wish | March 15, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.


This is a very liberal biased report that told me almost next to...

Shallow and uninformative | March 15, 2009 at 2:01 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

When Boozer was shooting the free throws, why Sloan didn't substitute Mathew...

Letters: Global warming a lie

actions, I will be forced to be accountable for them. I refuse. I am an...

What's with the Utah fans flashing the double L sign?

@mark: So Sam da Ham... you were just making it up?" I'm a climate...

Utes excited to go to San Diego

"I have no idea why BYU fans are talking smack about bowl opponents. Even if...

TCU versus BSU unpopular

You say to "quit whining and play somebody." Isn't that what everyone is...

BoM translation remarkably consistent

Reading these comments, I start wondering-- Whatever happened to faith? Why...

Utes excited to go to San Diego

All those numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...

BYU eager for crack at Oregon State

All thos numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...

So Sam da Ham, when you said this: "Not so. Al Gore is poised to make...

Advertisements