Comments about ‘'Smooth' session ends’

With all the self-congratulating, there are still many very DEVASTATING CUTS to health and human services, ESPECIALLY TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE! IN THIS RECESSION, THIS COULD MEAN LIFE AND DEATH TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SUICIDAL OR DEPRESSED AND STRESSED AND THUS MORE LIKELY TO BEAT THEIR CHILDREN OR HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES! Please join me in pleading with the GOVERNOR to USE THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY AT HIS DISCRETION (AT LEAST ABOUT 87 MILLION WORTH) to REPLACE THE CUTS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, and thus bring in even millions more in matching federal dollars. THE MONEY IS OUT THERE, FREE FOR OUR TAKING, AND PLEASE TELL THE GOVERNOR THAT THE HUMAN LIVES AFFECTED BY FEELINGS OF SUICIDE, FAMILY VIOLENCE AND THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PLAUGING OUR COMMUNITIES IS UPMOST IMPORTANT! AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID TO THEN NATIONAL MEDIA, PEOPLE, (ESPECIALLY THE MOST HURTING PEOPLE,) SHOULD COME FIRST! Mental health and substance abuse are the ultimate problems in a recession with the despair and fear that ruins lives, or ends them with suicide and violence. Please tell the governor to help these people before it is too late for them and their families and children!

Clark 2012!

The politicians are patting themselves on the back, but serious ethics reform that would have stopped the corruption we saw this past year was avoided, same sex couples (like little old ladies who never married, but live together for support) cannot share healthcare and the rainy day fund was not touched despite the downpour. Republicans blast Obama for the stimulus, then spend every dime, while cash on hand that could have been used to stimulate the economy (Utah - biggest drop in state revenue of any state) was an opportunity lost.

I am glad the politicians were polite and happy while they congratulate each other, but let's tell the whole story.

Heil Clark

Pragmatism and moderation works. Even the hypocritical right-wingers put getting the job done over extremism. That's the way things should work. Ideological approaches are not good for the voters.

What about SB81 that toughens illegal immigration and requires e-verify???? How come the media is not talking about this??? Was it eliminated, or kept as it was written in 2008. Does anyone know the outcome of this??? Why are we kept in the dark???? Is something be hidden from the voters and taxpayers????

You know, unfortunately every program has to take cuts when things are bad. That is just how life is. This mentality of "every one should cut back and be smart with there money but me," is one of the biggest problems facing our nation. That's part of the reason people go and spend money they don't have. Seeing only the general overview of the budget, I consider it to be very well done, with cuts across the board. That is just what has to happen when things are tight, you have to stop spending. And using up discretionary money (which might be likened to savings) is just not smart. Everyone needs savings for real emergencies, not just because we feel like spending a little extra money.

I've been involved in a lot of special interest causes but I've never actually gone down to the capital and witnessed the actual workings until this year. It changed my view forever. It appeared to me to be a grueling process for the politicians. What struck me was how much they do virtually alone. Except for the lobbyists waiting outside the doors sending in messages hoping to persuade in their favor, the people who are elected by the 'people' are virtually ignored by the 'people'.

I wish everyone could spend a day watching the House and the Senate. I truly believe we would vote differently. And maybe, we would be more supportive to those who we voted in to serve us.

It's changed my perspective. I'm more willing to help. It's so easy now to send an email and know that most have their blackberry's and will get the message. How hard is that?

I want to thank Rep Gage Froerer and Sen Stevenson for the work they did on my behalf.

I want to say something else.

I feel differently about complaining now. It's so easy to gripe about this or that.....but what do we do to change it? Success is in the details and broad base complaints over virtual networks and spewed in dark corners where no one hears but the complainer, won't solve a thing.

We had a successful business for 12 years. My motto was, "If you have a complaint, bring a solution." It was policy. The solution had to be a workable solution.

I want to thank all the reps who put their hearts into this session. I want to thank those who were true to the parties they represent. I want to thank those who were honest, strong, and diligent. You'll be seeing more of me next year.....helping, supporting, and expressing my opinions respectfully but forcefully and helping those around me to be more involved if they want.

I was at the session last night with a group of Boy Scouts. I was surprised to hear from the boys after we left how interesting they thought the whole process was. I agree with them, but I'm an adult. I didn't expect a group of teenagers to have that much interest. I will definitely visit more often and become more active. Thanks to Representative Brad Daw for the invitation to visit!

Given the tough economic environment facing this year's Legislature, this was one of the best managed sessions I have seen in over 25 years of legislative experience. Kudos to all who put a tough budget together. These men and women funded highway projects and put people back to work, they ponied up to continue the visionary USTAR program, they passed a housing stimulus, and even reformed the liquor laws. All without raising a major tax or dipping into the Rainy Day Fund. Congratulations to all legislators on a job wel done!

Too often, Legislators get painted with a broad brush from the media and the average observer may wonder if their is widespread corruption.

While there may be isolated incidents of ethics problems, I don't think we can cast such a wide net or paint such a broad brush.

It's refreshing that this article finally painted a more posivite perspective.

These Legislators - on both sides of the aisle - receive little in compensation, and take a lot of heat from journalists and those wishing to cast aspiritions.

I think ethics reform is definitely helpful - even necessary. But let's not assume that everyone in governmetn is corrupt or self serving.

"The money is out there free for our taking." Yes the money tree is giving freely to all who will pluck from its branches. No need to pay it back. You do not have to take money from one American to give it to another the money is just out there "free for the taking." And when you find that free money tree let me know how I can grow one too.

great work Legis. it is obvious we should give some credit. To all on the board we are in a recession, cuts are necessary, sounded like that was a newsflash for some of you.

Way to make the tough choices, sure you will tick some off but in the end that just means you are doing your job. You can't keep everyone happy.

Everyone quit your whining:)

Okay, but ALMOST everyone in government is corrupt and self-serving. It's pathetic that annual ethics courses need to be required. If legislators were ethical people the courses wouldn't be necessary. Back-door deals, under-the-table deals are far too common. Instead we get end-of-session write-ups like this one, helping the legislators polish their halos while they take money and gifts from lobbyists. Shame on all of you.

By the way, HINT TO PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE: If someone hands you a donation for your campaign and it's written on a company check, THEY EXPECT SOMETHING FROM YOU. If the money is coming from any corporation or organized group, THEY EXPECT SOMETHING FROM YOU. You accept it and you win, you've been bought and paid for.

ah, dude.... no one is talking about SB81 because SB81 is NOT about illegal immigration. I just looked it up on the legislative website. SB81 is about Concurrent Enrollment Program Amendments not illegal immigration.

And really, how can Waddoups say that this session was
"... smooth, congenial and cooperative." This session was far from Congenial and certainly not smooth and many people would say UN-cooperative". It's amazing how he can see things SSSSSOOOOOOO differently than everyone else.

To 9:05am,

The reason the article is more positive is because the legislators did a better job. They were under the magnifying glass this year due to ethics scandals and terrible economic news. The voucher debacle showed just how out of touch the legislative supermajority was with the interests of citizens. This session was a vast improvement over the previous 3 years. Let's all hope this trend will continue.

Smooth like Buttar'

how does the decision of our state legislators on education affect the reform President Obama just proposed? You are taking away money from people who make peanuts anyway.