Comments about ‘Former legislators seek return to the Hill’

Its a mixed bag of nuts.

Arent and Christensen are two of the worst legislators in recent memory. Arent was terribly ineffective -- even by Democratic standards. And Christensen had to speak on e v e r y s i n g l e b i l l. Pure torture.

And Thompson isn't actually a nut, he's a whole loaf of fruit bread. Houge will lose badly, so who cares Pitcher, don't know who that is. Same goes for Call.

If they win or loose it doesn't matter...they are just re-filling thier campain funds or (free-travel,vacation funds). So go ahead misguided people add your dollars to their campain funds so they can live well and prosper on your dime.

Really, does it matter? I would think that people wanted more common sense in their representatives but we get the same old lot and they don't listen to the people but do what they want. Wimmer and others will be back in and they will follow their own idealogy and views, not those they represent. The citizens of Utah get exactly what they deserve.

I wonder if they will be allowed to double-dip? They are currently retired and drawing pensions and health benefits from URS.

of course they will double dip. they are legislators and the rules for us don't apply to them.

Patrice Arent was a terrific legislator and I'm delighted to hear she's running again. She's got more common sense and savvy than most of those characters up there on the Hill.

Actually, Arent was consistently ranked one of the most effective legislators by both the deseret news and the salt lake tribune, and had one of the highest bill pass rates among all legislators (not to mention as a democrat) in both the house and the senate during her ten years of service. You may or may not like her politics, but her effectiveness is not really debatable. It's exactly because she's so effective that the Republicans targeted her so strongly in the past. Patrice gets the job done.

There can be some good and bad for exlegislators joining the ranks. The mindset of legislative government is changing and after being on the outside looking in like most citizens they may have seen the light to make a better government.

Sure, some will be money motivated and those are the ones to avoid. They will be ripe for lobbyist control.

I have very little trust in lawyers working two sides of government, the judicial and legislative divisions of government. We loose the separation of powers that government must have. I will not vote for any lawyer running for office, that is a major 'conflict of interest' in representing the people.

Retired legislators don't get health benefits. Is it double dipping when it is only part time? I believe that over-all our legislators do a terrific job and are paid a reasonable amount for the long-hours and hard work they put in. You may disagree with some of the crazy bills that are introduced (I certainly do) and some of the legislation that is passed (again, I do) but year in and year out they pass a budget that addresses our basic needs and keeps us on solid financial footing. I am grateful to anyone who is willing to step up and put their name on the ballot. Good luck and may the best woman or man win.

I disagree with Arent on virtually all issues, but she was thoughtful and articulate and rational in her attempts to push her (misguided) agenda. For a Democrat she is okay.

The fact that she is willing to run for a less prestigious House seat instead of the more elite Senate position she last held is revealing. Most political egos could never tolerate that demotion, and it speaks well for Arent.

I would never vote for her, but I respect her and think she would be a good advocate for Democrats if they prevailed at the polls.

Someone mentioned early in this thread that students are feeling entitled, and that teacher pay is based on student performance in more and more communities. Remember, please, that the No Child Left Behind Act was proposed by the Bush Administration. It was supported by both sides of the congress and senate, but the conservative lawmakers (and teachers) who are unhappy with the results of the legislation need to keep in mind that this was not a purely liberal effort.

It's the idea that no child should be left behind that creates the situation where kids are passed without making the grade, teachers offer "extra credit" work for those who goofed off for 3/4 of the school year it's ridiculous. Students learn ZERO responsibility and are shocked when they get out of high school and find that the world doesn't really give 2nd and 3rd and 4th chances for success. All the lawmakers who voted for that piece of garbage should be ashamed of themselves.

I say NO to anyone who is, once was or thinks of. You can not serve to two masters. We the People should be your priority!

Good news, Patrice is in the race. Now if we could get Jan Graham back.

Even though a Democrat wouldn't have a prayer against Wimmer (his district is to the right of Goerbells), nevertheless some Democrat should have stood up to challenge Wimmer's point-of-view if nothing else. Some politicians need to be opposed even if the prospects are hopeless. This is one.

Lew,

You are comparing a Nazi propagandist with conservatives? (BTW you spelled his name wrong). Need I remind you that the Nazi's were socialists, which today is closer to the liberals than conservatives.

Carl Wimmer is one of the most effective and fantastic legislators in Utah. Name anyone and I mean anyone who has made as big an impact in such a short time. I wish he's run for U.S. Senate.

Patrice Arent clearly wrote the comment above by "A Constituent." She's also trying to direct her fans here to comment via Facebook.

The truth is, she was ineffective. Counting your bill pass rate as proof of success is like a race car driver patting himself on the back for completing all of his laps. She passed no meaningful legislation. She was a dud.

Although proposed by the Bush administration, it was Ted Kennedy who pushed No Child Left Behind through. That should have been a warning--a "feel good" piece of legislation with federal control and non-funded that has made life miserable for most good teachers.

After watching the fiasco of the past year at the Utah capitol, I propose that each district take the names of jury eligible voters, cut them into strips, put them into a brown paper bag, shake it and draw a name. That lucky person gets the job and health care benefits.
Well it might sound crazy but it couldn't be any worse than what we have endured the past few years.
I watched wimmer on Campbell Brown show (I think that was the one) try to defend the reckless endangerment of a fetus Utah law..... I didn't see him as fantastic or effective. Utah legislators on national TV always make me wince.

I am 'a connstituent' - the Legislature will benefit again from having Patrice Arent on the Hill. In Committee and on the Senate floor she was and will be articulate and informed on process and policy. I am so pleased she will again be a State Senator. She represented our family in our District in an excellent manner, and those in her new District will be proud to call her Senator.

I agree with everything you said, except that she isn't running to be a Senator. She is running to be a Representative. Sad that people can't look to her credentials, education, life accomplishments and service to know that she is the real deal. I may not agree with everything she says or does but her arguments are articulate and she is straight forward. You know where you stand with her and she doesn't pretend to be something she isn't.

She has the cahonas to run as a democrat when alot of people in Utah who are democrats run as a republican just so they can get elected. There some principles right there for ya!~