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GOP powered Utah's 2009 session

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jim | 10:23 p.m. March 22, 2009
No wonder Democrats can't get elected. They don't know how to pass bills. What a joke!!
duh | 10:46 p.m. March 22, 2009
Of course Republicans passed the majority of the bills...they are by far in the majority. Why would a Republican majority allow Democratic legislation to get through and thereby allow them to take credit for accomplishing something. Take a look at the U.S. Congress since Democrats took power in 2006. I bet it's a 20-1 margin in favor of Dems in Congress. That's just how our system works. Jim, go back to civics class.
Cats | 5:13 a.m. March 23, 2009
to Duh: At the least Republicans allowed some Democrat bills to pass in Utah. In the Congress in Washington it's more like 100 to 0. No Republican can have a snowball's chance of getting ANYTHING passed there. The Republican majority in the Utah legislature is a lot more fair and less partisan, in general.
Comments continue below
brb | 5:47 a.m. March 23, 2009
When one party has so much power and uses it to the extent noted here, oversight goes down and abuse of power historically goes up. For the people of Utah, be careful what you wish / vote for, you just may get it and learn to regret it later.
Marty | 6:09 a.m. March 23, 2009
I really enjoyed this article for the depth of the reporting. Kudos to the authors who pointed out the trend and went deeper to provide additional analysis to the report. With the exceptions of pointing out that the Democrats felt respected in the process, this seemed to avoid emotionally charged words that indicated any bias. I will continue to watch for news from these reporters.
Balance | 7:00 a.m. March 23, 2009
GOP scorched earth mentality can't be good.
Anonymous | 8:20 a.m. March 23, 2009
The Democrats are elected just like the Republicans. I love how the GOP acts like they are fair, but punish areas that elect Democrats by not allowing D bills through.

But that's okay because of what's happening in DC.

Utah needs to elect more Democrats, plain and simple.
RE: brb | 8:49 a.m. March 23, 2009
Or have you considered that the Democrat agenda in Utah is vastly out of touch with most Utahns. Like most would support some of the "gay" agenda items they brought forward?
Your point? | 8:54 a.m. March 23, 2009
Those tunnell-visioned, narrow minded zombies do this EVERY year.
Mike
Justin Credible | 9:36 a.m. March 23, 2009
It must be a slow news day at the DN. I believe the whole state has known this for decades.
Wally Greenfield | 10:27 a.m. March 23, 2009
I hope some day our legistature will be made up of citizens of the United States of America. Democrat/Republican: these are names of groups whose distinctive principles and interpretation of our Constitution tell us a little about their general philosophy. Each individual is a unique person, his or her lifes experiences are unique to him or her. Two republicans or two democrates each bring a different perspective to an issue. I belive if a republican is voting for a bill simply because another republican sponsered it: that is wrong.
A man, who embrasses the republican party and whom I respect told me, I embrass the democratic party, the difference between a politician and a stateman is: "a politician makes decisions with his/her eye on the next election; a statemans makes decisions with his/her eye on the next generation."
I would ask our news media to make the effort to report on bills that were passed based on there content and let us decide whether or not the bill is a good one or a bad one. And if we believe it is a bad one, let us elect someone different next time. Thanks for this opportunity.
Skip H | 11:39 a.m. March 23, 2009
This isn't a good thing, no matter how neo-conservative/right-wing you might be. Anytime one agenda dominates on a 90%-plus scale, it's not good for democracy or the masses.

I'm sure the GOP supporters in Utah - probably the same faction that continued to give Geo. W. Bush a 'favorable' rating even during his final days - are crying tears of joy in their lemonade.....

Sadly, these people have no idea what reality is outside this bass-ackwards state.....
Bass-achwards or Not? | 12:02 p.m. March 23, 2009
Skippy, bass-ackwards or not - this is our state. We, the people who live here, decide what values, and what legislative representatives we want. And as a result - the bills that are passed more often than not reflect our opinions.

Nice thing about it all, is if the values and opinions of a minority (either to the right or left) are not those that are in common with the majority - they often will fail. Many of the "failed" bills fit into that box nicely.

Anonymous | 12:07 p.m. March 23, 2009
power corrupts - absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Utah in a nutshell
WEDGE ISSUE | 12:41 p.m. March 23, 2009
The RE-PUBLICANS will continue to push WEDGE ISSUES.

Since it works in UTAH, and keeps them in power, why not?

Balance | 1:12 p.m. March 23, 2009
Whether it's all Republicans or all Democrats, having one party with such absolute party leads to corruption. It always does. It's not good for the people or the state.
Cats | 1:21 p.m. March 23, 2009
To all you whiners...our legislature IS made up of citizens. These people serve part time (but put in many hours of work)and get very little compensation for it. They have to rearrange their lives around being able to serve.

The legislature generally reflects the views, values and desires of the majority of Utahns. If the Democrats can't get elected it's because they have been unable to convince their constituents that it is in their interest to elect them.

If you don't like what's going on either run for office yourself, get seriously and actively involved or move to another state.
Californian | 1:46 p.m. March 23, 2009
California's legislature is far left and has been for years. Perhaps a look at the condition of our state vs. Utah might reveal which party has better ideas. Utah could not be worse off than California.
Cats | 2:17 p.m. March 23, 2009
Californian: Thanks for your blog.

In fact, Utah has been named the best fiscally run state in the nation. It also has one of the most efficient and best run legislatures in the nation. We are NOT on the verge of bankruptcy as are some other states. We also STILL have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

I believe some of these far-left whiners ought to move to a far-left virtually bankrupt state and see how they like it.
Independent Utahn | 2:21 p.m. March 23, 2009
Forbes recognizes that Utah is one of the best run states in the country. While other states are in a fiscal mess, Utah has been able to weather it better than others. Utah is continually praised for its lifestyle and living. They must be doing something right. I am tired of Utah Democrats crying that we need more power. Start representing the values of Utahns and we just might vote for you.
Anonymous | 2:30 p.m. March 23, 2009
The GOP "powered" [read "controlled"] the Legislature? Wow! That IS news! What's next? Snow falls on Alta in January? St. George is hot in August? State budget in a crisis? How bloody obvious can you be, DesNews?
Wedgie issues? | 2:41 p.m. March 23, 2009
Did you say the Republicans are pushing for more wedgies?
Meb
OutsiderLookingIn | 2:58 p.m. March 23, 2009
Utah is historically very conservative, yes, but it has scenery and the kind of space that just might draw a bunch of libruls who will really change its voter makeup. That will certainly be interesting, if it does.

I'm a liberal from Texas who moved to the PacNW but find it too rainy, and I love southern Utah. I know other folks like myself. There just might be a migration.

Look out, Utahns...
Anonymous | 5:03 p.m. March 23, 2009
Republicans will make gains at the expense of Utah's future.
Making Utah UNLIVABLE and INTOLLERABLE for gays and lesbians, and progressive youths, will lead to their migrating OUT of STATE. They'll take Utah's future with them as they leave.
Russell | 5:40 p.m. March 23, 2009
How exactly is this news? Is your next headline going to be "Water is Wet?"
Guy Forbes | 6:34 p.m. March 23, 2009
Hello,
Glad to see some conservative use of power.
I live in Washington state and we are now 9 Billion dollars in the hole.
That doesn't stop the powers that be(liberal Democrats)
They spend on anything that will push their agendas!
Living in Massachusetts | 7:13 p.m. March 23, 2009
There is a greater percentage of Republicans living in Massachusetts than Democrats living in Utah. Republicans in Massachusetts would be thrilled to see this much deference paid to the minority party. You have no idea what a one party state looks like. Dems in Utah have no reason to whine and Republicans should not feel so inclined to give into Dems just to be fair and balanced. If their ideas don't win support they have some more work to do.
throw them out | 7:49 p.m. March 23, 2009
Utah Republicans are weak and not representing we the people. They should not allow even one Democratic bills get threw. Democrats are a bunch of socialists and should move to Taxachusets. Utah is the land of freedom -- not the land of Democrats. I'm sick of all these Republicrats.
@ Balance | 7:57 p.m. March 23, 2009
If you don't like the freedoms we have in Utah and the effective government, you should just move on out to Taxachusetts or something. Its better to have one party rule when that party is the right party.

Why would you want socialists to run the state to raise our taxes and take away our beloved freedoms? Just to say it's not one-party rule. We shouldn't rest until we get all of the Democrats out of the state house. That's the only way to make our government run better and to reduce our out of hand taxes.

Rush is right!
Anonymous | 10:32 p.m. March 23, 2009
to Anonymous 5:03..... GOSH, I sure hope so!!!!!
Matthew | 1:31 a.m. March 24, 2009
First to those who comment that republican states are better financially, I would just like to remind you which party was in control in Congress and with the presidency took a nose dive. That would be republicans, so clearly their policies did NOT work (can ONLY blame republicans).

Also, California has a republican governor and has for the past 8 years, so clearly that isn't all one parties fault.

I do find it funny when in the US Congress dems push only their bills through republicans get mad. Yet when republicans do it, it is completely ok!

So really the moral here is republicans mess up often! So do dems, blaming one over the other gets us no where.

Lesson here is balance between parties is the best. But clearly Utah will never do that and we will always be viewed as an odd state.
John L. Ries | 12:15 a.m. April 19, 2009
Partisan politics as usual. We'd like legislatures to consider bills strictly on the merits (and the Republicans have a big enough majority here in Utah that they can accord to), but it seems that no matter how big your majority is, it's never enough. If one party held every seat, but one, the majority party would almost certainly out all the stops to win that last seat and do everything possible to marginalize its holder and his/her supporters, and no, I have no reason to believe the Democrats are any different than the Republicans in that regard.

Is there any wonder why I'm in favor of making all elections officially non-partisan, and requiring a secret ballot for all elections of legislative officers?

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