Reader comments
Some vote-skippers in the Legislature had excuses; others didn't

If these guys are "too busy" to show up and vote for laws and regulations that effect Utahn's, WE WILL SHOW UP AND VOTE THEM OUT!

If I have this lack of attendance record at work, I would expect to get fired!
And if I had this lack of attention to my responsibilities at work, I would expect a corrective action.
And yet, as taxpayers, we are paying these elected senators and representatives.
And by the way, they have a retirement package anyone would want.
Something is wrong with this.

more the state would be better off!

Why vote if the issue is already decided on party politics line. If you are a republican the issue is likely already decided.

Well, maybe if that is the case, the few non-Republicans ought to show up and outvote the Republicans. Then there would be better attendance!!

Please see through this non-issue. Do you all not see that the greatest "offenders" are the leaders and those busy with their own legislation - they are actually doing more work that the others, and are present when close calls require their vote - but as you all know - there are few close calls. But when there are, the leaders are present when necessary.

I am disappointed that the Deseret News would publish this story without adequate background. This is sensationalism and borders on yellow journalism. I expect better of the News.

There's a lot more to creating laws than just the votes in committee and on the floor. This black and white article leaves very little consideration for the gray area where a lot of the work is done.

Before we rag on them too much for missing votes, let's remember that there's a lot of truth to what someone said about how the issues usually got decided already in caucus, so these votes that they are missing are mostly procedural anyway. That's either a bonus or a bad thing, depending on how much you like our heavily-skewed Utah politics.

Let's not forget, however, that as far as remuneration goes, we're a long way from D.C. and California. Legislators, for their service, get a per diem (daily) allowance--which many of them refuse--, some health care options (like just about anyone with a job these days), and retirement? Don't make me laugh!

don't assume that "just about anyone with a job these days" has health care coverage, lots and lots of folks do not.

This is such a non-article written by the kings of non-articles at the Deseret News...

The real question is whether or not you support the laws passed this session and if your legislators' voting helped pass laws that you support. Frankly, since I don't agree with my legislators on most issues, I'd be more than happy if they never casted a vote.

Bottom line, we elect legislators to pass laws that we agree with. I could care less if they attended 100% of their committee meetings unless some of the votes they missed caused something I support to fail or something I don't support to pass.

This reminds me of naive people who think high voter turnout is a good unto itself, but how does anyone benefit when people show up to vote without spending a minute to really consider how their vote will affect our community and nation?

Legislators (especially legislative leaders) keep track of bills coming up in their committess. They tally the likely votes way ahead of time. They know who is for, who is against, and who is undecided on each bill, and who may waffle on their vote. If there is a bill a legislator wants passed and there is a question about whether it will be passed, that legislator will be in the meeting to cast his or her vote. If passage of a desired bill is almost certain based on the votes of others on the committee, the "loophole" noted in the article allows legislators (particularly legislative leaders)to prioritize their time and attend to other tasks, like meeting with constituents, lobbyists, and representatives from state agencies and the governor's office. The numbers don't reveal the whole story. The true measure of good legilsators is whether good laws are or are not passed.

I'd still like to see them get merit pay......

John has it exactly right. Missing votes doesn't necessarily mean anything. Often the ones who miss votes (with the exception of illness or Butters' absence due to embarrassment) are because these legislators are BUSY doing the work they were voted in to DO.

As a matter of fact, so does Dave Hansen with his "king of non-articles at the Deseret News" comment. Absolutely true. I'm beginning to think that Bob Bernick's goal in life is to create a firestorm of hatred among the general public toward the Legislature.

How many of those on this list have been to the legislature during session? I have plenty of times. You see legislators working in the halls, and plenty of them just goofing around. And why is it that many legislators manage to pass meaningful legislation and yet also manage to attend most of their meetings?

Obviously, just as in life, some people work harder than others. And some legislators are full of more bull than others.

I am disappointed to see Aaron Tilton on the bad side of news, again. First his massive conflict of interest with his Al Gore "no legal controlling authority" excuse for his 'non-conflict of interst issue.' Now we see he has some of the lowest attendance ratings of the legislature. And since he is not a member of leadership, or a committee chair, what is his excuse?

He is being challenged. I hope his challenger pays attention to the rules and beats him. I say pay attention to the rules because the rules are stacked against challengers. Mr Tilton doesn't seem to serve the people, just himself.

So where is the list alluded to early in the article. I'd love to see what my so-call representative did.

The link given was just to the main site that we're already reading.

Rep Mark Walker's excuse does not fly with me. What kind of person takes leave from his/her current job to find another better job and then uses that as an excuse for poor attendence. Lets hope enough people see through this hallow excuse and make sure he does not get elected to the Treasurer's Office. His lack of attention as State Treasurer could cause more harm to the State then did his current lack of attentiveness.