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Today's Pignanelli & Webb:

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there. We invited some of Utah's politicians to pay tribute to their mothers.

Sen. Carlene Walker: The epitome of a liberated woman before they invented the term, my mother raised my sister alone for three years while my dad fought in World War II. Feisty independence balanced with 1950s June Cleaver-esque homemaking skills; she endures as the strongest role model of my life.

Sen. Patricia Jones: Everyone thinks my mom is remarkable, especially for her age. She's a hip 86 years old and beautiful. No one ever comes close to guessing her age. She is a marvelous caregiver to my 90-year-old dad and so many others.

Mayor Peter Corroon: My mother taught me volunteerism. From an early age, I remember my mother volunteering at hospitals, senior centers or other facilities. Even on vacation, we visited a facility. At over 80 years old, she still volunteers. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Rep. Rob Bishop: Mom had a great respect for America and was always involved in making the community better. The way she and Dad did things, I assumed all families were active in politics and civic affairs. She taught me to care about this country and other people. When I didn't, she had a hairbrush to remind me.

Rep. Brad King: My mother has the patience of Job, the intellect of Einstein, the looks of a super-model, is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, faster than a speeding bullet and is able to leap tall buildings at a single bound. As I recall, she was able to do even more when she was younger. I guess that it takes a lot of energy to raise a family. Thanks, Mom, I love you!

Sen. Bob Bennett: Mother always pushed me to do the things I should have done but sometimes didn't; when I did what she asked in a productive way, she was there cheering me on. Whatever anyone else ever thought of me, I always knew that Mother was by my side.

Sen. Karen Mayne: My mom was a very strong and noble woman. She taught me strength and courage. She taught me that if we have a problem, we face it, deal with it and go forward. I've tried to live my life that way.

Sen. Orrin Hatch: My mom, Helen, now passed away, was a friend to everybody. When someone told her, "Helen, you are so kind, you would have something nice to say about the devil," my mother responded, "He sure is a hard worker." My mother-in-law, Edries Hansen, recently broke her hip and wrist. She never complained. When Matt Harpring sent her an autographed picture, this great Jazz fan was thrilled! She has his picture alongside her husband's as she undergoes rehab for her injuries. Both mothers are pioneers and great women.

Rep. Karen Morgan: My mom's greatest influence has been through her cheerful attitude and her example of love and service to others. She's always there to lend a helping hand or give a word of encouragement to those in need.

Sen. John Valentine: My mother taught me a very important lesson early in my life: "You can do anything. You can overcome anything. You can be anything you want to be, if you are willing to work hard enough and pay the price."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.: My mother has reinforced in me the principles of charity and love for community and a much deeper appreciation for humanity in all its different permutations. She's also been known to provide a swift kick to the rear end to one doing something that doesn't meet her approval. I have many dents on my backside demonstrating her accuracy. My debate skills were honed early on — mostly late at night in the kitchen — by my constantly trying to prove my innocence to her when I was clearly guilty. I wish her a very happy Mother's Day.

Mayor Ralph Becker: My mom has always shown wonderful love and support for everything I've pursued throughout my life. She has also played an unusual role in my political world: She is a devoted Republican who engages in intense dialogue. She may be misguided, but I love her.

Salt Lake County GOP Chairman James Evans: My mother is the example of grace and dignity, and she taught me the true meaning of inner strength and perseverance as we watched my father (and her husband of 52 years) decline in health and pass away on March 1. She is my hero.

Rep. Jim Matheson: My mom taught me that there is value in public service and that you should try to make the world better than you found it. Through her lifetime of community service, she showed me how rewarding that choice can be.

Webb: My mother, Eleanor, was like a sponge. She soaked up all the hurt from scraped knees and bruised egos in a boisterous family of 10 kids, without ever reflecting back any anger or offense ... an angelic example of unconditional love.

Pignanelli: Holladay City Council member and renown Irish mother, Patricia Murphy Pignanelli, passed to her children the important keys to success in life and politics: stubborn determination, the gift of gab and the greatest weapon of all — guilt.

Once just a senate legend. Now, still a legend AND ALSO the name of a new USU building.

By Curt Bramble
Senate Majority Leader

I appreciate Senator Hillyard's sentiments in his previous blog. It's something all of us have felt many times. Maybe it will take a few years for the unprecedented funding increases to sink into the public consciousness. We have truly taken some giant steps in funding education and expect to do more in the next few years.

Here is a progress report:

Education employee compensation growth has outpaced other government salary increases in each of the past three years. In FY 2007 and FY 2008 the increase was almost double.

In FY 2009, compensation items funded for public education equal a 6.6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 5 percent increase for state employees.

In FY 2008, compensation items funded for public education equal a 9.6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 4.5 percent increase for state employees.

In FY 2007, compensation items funded for public education equal a 6 percent increase in the value of the WPU compared to a 3.5 percent increase for state employees.

In the last three years, the Legislature has nearly doubled the rate of increases to the WPU. From 2006 to 2009 the value of the WPU increased 13 percent (Compared to 6.9 percent 2003 to 2006).

Charter school enrollment increased 256 percent from 2004 to 2007. Number of charter schools increased from 28 in 2004 to more than 55 in 2007-08.

From 2006 to 2009, Education fund appropriations (including the Uniform School Fund) supporting public education increased 37.7 percent (compared to a 13.5 percent increase from 2003 to 2006). Total education appropriations (including all funds) increased 36.6 percent from 2006 to 2009. (Compared to 19.1 percent 2003 to 2006).

Total education appropriations increased 11.3 percent in FY 2007 and 14.4 percent in FY 2008 – representing the highest annual increases since 1991 at 11.4 percent.

Since FY 2000, total education appropriations have increased more than 73 percent. Student enrollment has increased 15.7 percent.

The average annual change in education appropriations from FY 2000 to FY 2009 equals 6.4 percent compared to the average annual change in student enrollment of 1.6 percent.

A few more stats . . .

Utah Criterion Reference Test (CRT) results have increased from 2004 to 2007:

• Language Arts: 75.78 percent proficient in 2004 to 77.09 percent in 2007
• Mathematics: 69.9 percent proficient in 2004 to 69.98 percent in 2007
• Science: 60.62 percent proficient in 2004 to 63.6 percent in 2007

Keep paying attention. The vast majority of my colleagues are fully committed to meet the funding [and other] challenges faced by our students and teachers.

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

I was attending a public meeting the other day when a good friend asked me when the legislature was going to get serious about funding education and raise taxes. It reminded me, once again, of the misconception about how “we are always cutting education” and that is why there are still the concerns about what we are doing to improve the lagging success of public education.

Of course, I mentioned all the money we have put into education the last few years. I heard Gov. Huntsman point out that the initial salary for beginning teachers has risen about 20% in the last two years. In this last year’s budget, public education received, by far, the most new state dollars.

My final point in talking to my friend was this: if pouring nothing but money was the solution for what he thought ailed public education, the huge amounts of money that we had invested the past few years would have reduced or at least started to reduce his concerns (and it obviously had not). More money would probably help every program but he finally suggested that maybe the biggest help to public education would be for more parents to become involved with the process in helping their children and holding them to a higher expectation of performance. After all, helping public education succeed is not just a problem for teachers. All of us need to be involved at a level beyond merely complaining.

KUTV: More Utah Taxpayer Money Going To Kids' Educations

Public spending on Utah's students increased by nearly 10 percent last year, officials said.

According to the Utah Taxpayers Association, spending increased from $6,529 per student in 2006 to $7,009 per student in 2007 -- a 7.3 percent increase. Officials credit the Utah Legislature with the increase, since they have allocated more public funds to the state's education system.

Operations expenditures also increased during the same period from $5,126 to $5,348 -- a 4.3 percent increase.

The report, which includes students between kindergarten and 12th grade, predicted that per-student spending would reach $7,500 by the 2008 fiscal year.

Here's the Taxpayers Association report.

Conservatives Happier Than Liberals

Don't be a hater.

Dr. Charles Knutson spoke with Senate President John Valentine about internet safety, legislation, the will of the majority vs. the protection of the minority, spyware, mobile technology, etc.

Listen in here.

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

It is time to get serious about the garden.

This has really been a strange spring. We really received a lot of snow in Cache Valley this past winter and it has taken longer than usual for it to melt. It seems like every day that it has been warm and dry enough to work in the garden in the evening, I have had another commitment. I have gotten the raspberries mostly caned and my brother in law (freshly returned from a mission in Scotland) and gotten a few rows of potatoes planted. With the State Republican Convention slated for this Saturday, I will miss the normal Mother’s Day weekend where I have really gotten most of the garden planted. With the food prices going crazy, gardening this year may be more than just a hobby but a budget-conscious behavior.

At least this time of the year, I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes when it gets dark. I have learned that you don’t plant corn until it turns 70 degrees but that may only be for two days sometime next week so I had better be ready. It is my plan to have the raspberries fully weeded, caned and fertilized, the first crop of corn, peas and another few rows of potatoes planted. I will have to let the bananas and rice and grapes wait until at least Memorial Day.

Heard of the PDF?

"Technology and the Internet are changing democracy in America. Personal Democracy Forum is a hub for the exciting conversation underway between political professionals, technologists, and anyone else invigorated by the remarkable potential of technology to engage citizens in the democratic process."

Also - if you are on LinkedIn, consider joining the Government 2.0, a network of citizens and professionals exploring the use of New Media tools in government communication.

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

I think that we have really taken on some difficult tasks this interim with general task force assignments. Health Care Reform, Immigration, and Governance of Higher Ed and ATC’s are all worthy subjects but very complex and emotional.

With all House members running for re-election as well as half of the Senators, these task forces will be a serious time commitment for all committee members. I am sure the “advocates” will be following the meetings carefully but it is important that all Utahns become involved by attending meetings when possible and giving their input and suggestions by regular mail and e-mail to their legislators as well as those serving on one of these committees.

I sense that progress will require everyone to be willing to give up something for the betterment of the whole but these studies are really processes rather than immediate results. I believe the greatest challenge will be to see to the long term objectives and find the best path to achieve them.

Myspace registration mandatory for Utah residents by 2011

Forbes.com :: SLC among recession-proof cities.

Final paragraph of the Forbes article:

In his statements to Congress' Joint Economic Committee earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted the economy would possibly move into recession in the first half of 2008 but begin to rebound in the second half.

If you're tired of waiting, these might be the best places to go.

This just in: Curt and Susie Bramble are the proud grandparents of a new baby girl – six pounds, 3 ounces, 18 inches. All parties are doing fine.

By Ric Cantrell
Chief Deputy of the Senate

Want to make history today? A few fledgling blog sites have emerged in Algeria (a little background here). If you are reading this you likely have healthy interest & perspective from Utah's unique bloghive. Any insight, encouragement, questions, and positive interaction with these new bloggers could make a lasting impact.

Voice of the People by Deputy Filali Ghouini (elected member of parliament from the El Islah Party)

L'Arme Rose by Karima B (caucus staff for the RCD Party)

Assima 2008 by Fatma Zohra (legislative IT staffer)

K.Eliad by Deputy Elaid (elected member of parliament)

You can use Alta Vista's Babel Fish to translate the French or Google's Translator to get the Arabic and French. Check them out and give them the benefit of your thoughts.

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

The other day, while speaking to the Estate Planning Council for Weber-Davis County about the legislature’s actions this past session, I was asked a very interesting question: How much time does it really take to serve in the legislature? As I tried to answer that question, I realized that it is not the same for everyone. For example, I live 82 miles away from the Capitol, giving me the added burden of travel time and finding a place to stay while in Salt Lake City (it is even worse for those legislators from down south, such as St. George!).

My assignment as Co-Chair of Executive Appropriations is extremely demanding during the session but does not take as much time during the rest of the year. Most were surprised to learn that during the session, most of my days begin before 6:00 am and end after 8:00 pm. I personally would rather spend my evenings with my wife and son, Matt, when he is here. I usually spend all day Saturday working on my legal files to try to stay up with my work at the law office. When we are not in session, there are still numerous meetings to attend throughout the year.

Thank goodness as I get older and want to slow down, I can do so. I don't need to spend as much time studying the issues because the old ones just keep coming back.

Most people who decide to run for this office have no idea the time and work commitment required to be effective. Best of luck to all would-be legislators. May you have the time you need to do the job right.

Jennifer Toomer-Cook in the Deseret News: Utah in good fiscal health compared to other states

Is it a recession or just a period of slower growth? Either way, Utah is set to weather the storm. Here's the NCSL release, and a little piece of the DNews article:

Utah anticipates a 0.4 percent growth in revenues in the 2009 fiscal year, much less than in past years, but growth nonetheless, said Steve Allred, deputy director of the Utah Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst.

Anticipating a revenue shortfall, the Legislature earlier this year socked away $100 million in a savings account of sorts for public schools and colleges, and left $15 million unspent in the fiscal 2009 budget, which goes into effect July 1, according to the Utah section in the report. That money is in addition to $414 million lawmakers put in "rainy day funds" over the years. The Utah data in the report is based on information compiled by the Utah fiscal analyst's office.

The Legislature "approached future revenue growth with caution, and that's one thing the state's been fairly good at," Allred said. "It does require some fiscal discipline up front."

Good old-fashioned federalism seems to inspire innovation. From Brookings:

The design of a more robust federal innovation policy must consider, respect, and complement the plethora of energetic state and local initiatives now underway. While the federal government has taken only very limited steps to promote innovation, state governments and state- and metropolitan level organizations have done much more.

Hat tip to Dave Fletcher's Blog.

Thank you Representative Bowman, from the Spectrum.

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

For the past 4 years it has been fun to watch JayCee Carroll show us all that hard work does pay off and locals can make good. I remember first seeing JayCee and thinking he must still be in high school but in fact he had returned from his LDS mission. Every game would start with often two players guarding him but by the end of the game, he would still be running and those guarding him could not keep up. He was always friendly with the kids who watched his every action and set an example of what athletics was all about. I will always be glad that I could see him play. It makes me wonder - when I heard that many schools were not willing to give him a chance at first - how many other JayCee Carroll’s are there waiting for their opportunity. Watching him play basketball as coached by Stu Morrill reminds me that there are lots of things that bring success and enjoyment in life.

This just in from the Capitol Preservation Board . . .

Lions Arrive at the Utah State Capitol

Many Utahns remember the four lions posted at the east and west entrances to the Utah State Capitol. The Capitol Preservation Board is pleased to announce the arrival of the first two new lions sculptures specifically commissioned as part of the Utah State Capitol restoration and base isolation project. After spending over a year in Ohio, the two new marble symbolic guardians of Utah’s Capitol, a pair of beautifully sculpted lions, are heading toward their new home in Salt Lake City.

Following a thorough examination during the beginning days of the restoration project, it was concluded that weather had deteriorated the original creatures enough to require commissioning new sculptures. Although, the originals had already been restored once before, a second restoration was not feasible.

The original lions were created in 1915, by sculptor Gavin Jack and later repaired in 1977, by local artist Ralphael Plescia. The new lions were sculpted in Italian carrera marble by Nick Fairplay, British master carver. Italian marble is a very durable material, was chosen in order to extend the life of the Capitol’s new lions. The originals were sculpted in cement, a material much more conducive to erosion.

Installation of the incoming lions atop the stairs of the east entrance to the Capitol will begin Monday, April 21st. It will end the following day, Tuesday, April 22nd. These lions have been given names symbolic of the virtues they represent. The arriving lions are called Fortitude and Integrity. Their counterparts, named Honor and Patience, will join them when they are placed at the west entrance sometime this autumn. In addition to the symbolism of their names, each lion represents a different stage of life.

“I know many Utahns fondly remember the old lions at the Capitol. We hope all visitors young and old are able to create new and lasting memories along side the Capitol’s new lions,” David H. Hart, AIA, Architect of the Capitol.

###

April 19th, 1775. The inscription on the monument near the Concord Bridge reminds us


Here's a picture of the bridge you can see in the background from the other side, taken by Martine Smith (makes great desktop wallpaper).

By Ric Cantrell
Chief Deputy of the Senate

NCSL invited Utah to join the faculty of an intense four-day workshop with the Algerian Parliament - part of an initiative created by Colin Powell's State Department to build partnerships with North Africa and the Middle East.

I had the honor of spending a memorable week in Algiers working on web 2.0 tools & techniques with members of parliament and their staff. Here's the workshop agenda translated, as everything was, into Arabic, French, and English.

My teammates on the NCSL delegation were an impressive collection of talent from around the United States. Our Algerian hosts were equally gifted and soon became good friends. Workshop discussions were intense, informative, hopeful and rewarding for all parties, I believe. And on the morning of our final day we visited the Casbah, which I treasured for obvious historical reasons.

We built a demonstration site for workshop participants. Check it out: www.algiers2008.com

The Thicket published a brief report, as did the National Association of Government Communicators.

I have great hopes for the people of Algeria and their budding democracy. Where guns and bombs have proven less effective perhaps communication and citizen engagement will have an impact.

Yesterday, the Senate confirmed Kevin K. Allen as Utah's newest judge. First District Court.

Good news.

The newly formed Health System Reform Task Force will hold their first meeting this Thursday. 8:00 a.m. W020.

Find official info (agenda, committee membership, etc.) here.

Pig & Webb make predictions in the DMNews.

Senator Killpack and Representative Clark talk about the road ahead in the Trib:

The currently accepted practice of employer-sponsored health care has existed for so long many of us have never known any other system. To imagine a better system will take everyone working together.

To that end, we have put together five working groups that will help funnel innovative ideas and solutions to the task force. We are looking for members to fill those work groups.

Read the entire op-ed here, and contact us for more info.

By Wayne Niederhauser
Utah State Senator, District 9

A recent Tribune article ("Many Utahns see taxes jump with new flat rate," April 2) highlighted concerns among some taxpayers about the impact of recent changes to the state individual income tax. Unfortunately, the article did little to clarify for taxpayers the changes that will actually be taking place. As sponsor of the bill enacting many of these changes, I believe it's important that taxpayers have accurate information.

The Utah Legislature has been working hard the past two years to reduce taxes. Taxes have been reduced by nearly $400 million, including significant cuts and changes to the state individual income tax. Taxpayers will likely notice these changes when completing their state individual income tax returns for tax year 2007 (generally filed by April 2008) and tax year 2008 (generally filed by April 2009).

For tax year 2007, Utahns will choose to pay their individual income tax either under a "flat tax" option at the rate of 5.35 percent with no deductions or under the traditional multi-rate system with various deductions. Taxpayers calculate their taxes under both methods, but only pay the lesser of the two amounts.

It's easy to understand that some taxpayers assume that the "flat tax" calculation for tax year 2007 will be the same as the new nonoptional "single-rate" system in place for tax years beginning in 2008. But this is not the case. The elective "flat tax" calculation for tax year 2007 is different than the new "single-rate" system.

The new "single-rate" system will tax income at a reduced rate of 5 percent and at the same time allow various tax credits to be subtracted from the amount of tax owed. Most filers will be able to claim one or more of the new nonrefundable credits, including: (a) a taxpayer tax credit that is calculated using federal personal exemptions and standard or itemized deductions, and (b) a retirement tax credit.

At the same time, Utah will abandon the traditional multi-rate system. Examining the single rate component of the new system without also considering the enacted tax credits provides a flawed view of actual tax amounts to be expected for tax year 2008.

The overall goal of the recent tax changes is to reduce income taxes for the people of Utah. Experts calculated that more than 90 percent of the taxpayers should see some degree of tax relief.

The changes also make Utah more economically competitive with some of our neighboring states. For example, Nevada and Wyoming have no income tax, while the top tax rates in Colorado (4.63 percent), Arizona (4.54 percent), and New Mexico (5.30 percent) are significantly below the top rate of nearly 7 percent with Utah's traditional multi-rate system.

In addition, the recent tax changes help reduce the volatility of income tax revenues, allowing for better year-to-year budgeting and providing a more stable revenue source for education.
More detailed information regarding the income tax changes (including links to sample tax calculations under the new system, a tax calculator, and a more detailed analysis of the tax changes) is available at the Legislature's Web site, www.le.utah.gov.


[This was first published as an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008

LEGISLATORS PROPOSE SOLUTION TO SCHOOL BOARD ISSUE

SALT LAKE - Representative Greg Hughes (R - Draper) delivered a proposal to the Salt Lake County Council that could resolve concern with recent legislation on the Jordan School District split. The letter, signed by Senate President John Valentine and Speaker of the House Greg Curtis, asks the council to designate a shorter 17-month term for current Jordan School District Board members who will serve in the newly created districts.

An amendment to Senator Carlene Walker's (R - Cottonwood Heights) SB 71 ensured continuity for the new districts by allowing members of the Jordan School District Board to continue to serve in the new Jordan East or Jordan West Districts. The inadvertent potential consequence of the amendment is that a school board member might serve up to eight years instead of a four year term.

After the session Senator Howard Stephenson (R-Draper) and Representative Greg Hughes worked with Legislative Leadership to offer a simple fix that preserves continuity while ensuring board members are accountable to the public through the election process.

The county council has added this item to their 4/1/2008 agenda.

# # #


NOTES:

1. A PDF copy of the letter is attached.

2. Find information on SB 71, including bill text, here.

April 15th is fast approaching.

Over the last two years we cut taxes by almost $400 million and revamped the system (you remember that, right?). You'll file under the new system in 2009 but this is a transition year.

So, will you pay more income tax this year or next?

Here's the calculator. Fill it in and compare for yourself.

And here's a fact sheet posted by the Utah State Tax Commission.

And an op-ed piece by Senator Wayne Niederhauser.

On Wednesday the Legislative Management Committee assigned additional work this year in four specific areas.

1. Immigration

2. Performance Pay for Teachers

3. Property Tax Reform

4. ATC and Higher Ed Governance

The House and Senate will create new committees to handle work immigration and performance pay and authorize two existing interim committees to work on property tax and ATC governance.

Bernick, Ziegler, Bulkeley and Gehrke reported.

Picture by Danny Chan La, Deseret Morning News. Chris Bleak, elected as chairman of Lehi's Precinct 10, helps count other positions up for election. Several precincts held caucuses Tuesday at Lehi High School.

Tim Gillie: Caucuses largely ho-hum affairs

Found this on the Amicus:

[Update:] I disappeared the TV window because it kept auto-playing everytime we opened the site. You can still find it on the Utah Amicus.

Throughout history, government has watched gatherings of free-thinking individuals who want to take power, guide policy, or hold rulers accountable to fundamental principles.

Lots of those folks ended up in jail. Or worse.

But not here.

Your neighbors are meeting to discuss issues and elect delegates tonight (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m. It will take about an hour. You really ought to be there.

Need the address? Click here (GOP). Or here (Democrats).

Work on Health System Reform has begun (Trib, DesNews, KCPW). The following senators will serve on Utah's Health System Reform Task Force:

Sheldon Killpack, Senate Chair

Peter Knudson

Greg Bell

Gene Davis

Elizbeth Ziegler reports on the people and reasoning at KCPW. The task force link will be posted here, eventually.

March is a quiet month at the Utah State Legislature.

Happens every year.

1. Senator Darin Peterson is hanging up the spurs.
2. More on Dan Eastman's retirement.
3. Education legislation.
4. Supreme Court denies Aspen Utah's petition.
5. The Governor signs a truckload of bills - find the lists here.
   

1. Here's the list of candidates from the Lt. Guv's Office. (Love this list and what it represents.)
2. Stan Lockhart wants you to make a difference. So do we. Neighborhood caucus meetings on March 25th.
3. The Guv makes Veepwatch.
4. Trends in the DNews: Working with the Millennial Generation.
5. Bernick: Candidates abound.
6. Pyrah: Candidates abound. Except for a few.
7. McFarland and McKitrick: Candidates abound.
8. Ziegler: Study items abound.
9. America! No shortage of good people willing to serve. Especially on the school board following the school district split.
10. Tiffany Erickson on school board races.
11. Beth Young on Charter schools.
12. The indispensable UPD.
    

Daily Herald: Senator Eastman will not seek re-election.

1. As the economy falters, so do state budgets. But not in Utah.
2. Campaign pep talk from the Daily Herald.
3. KCPW: Rotating regional presidential primaries?
4. Tom isn't running for State Board of Education.
5. The Lt. Guv's roster of candidates so far. Filing deadline is today at 5:00 p.m.
   
6. What will legislative interim committees be studying? Here's the list.
7. March Madness: Pig & Webb
8. The Spectrum gives the legislature some credit on immigration.
9. Fattah: District Court decision on the Navajo Trust Fund issue.
   

Last year the state budget was $12,022,354,299.

This year it’s $11,459,984,010.

Details here.

1. Gehkre: A session of confrontation and compromise
2. Warburton: the budget
3. Daily Herald: Session ends in cooperation
4. Lisa Roche: The Guv's perspective
5. Bernick's uniquely House-oriented review of the session
6. Legislators announce retirement
7. Minority blog site: Senator Dmitrich to retire
   
8. Senator Hickman to retire
9. Warchol: More on Senator Dmitrich's retirement
10. Michael Castner gets a standing ovation in the Utah Senate
11. Today's UPD
12. Animal cruelty bills
13. Airport TRAX funding
14. House and Senate fail to agree on task force bill
15. Critical languages program to continue
16. Bulkeley: Immigration
17. Sanchez: Immigration
18. The Spectrum on Senator Hickman's Immigration Bill
19. Lisa Schencker: Education Money here, and here
    
20. Lyon: Money for disabled Utahns
21. Something akin to applause from the Trib's editorial board
22. Same thing from the Daily Herald
    
23. DesNews: A few pet projects
24. Health System Reform is in motion
25. The best thing to happen this session
26. A new leaf for Senator Dmitrich
    
27. Who's counting?
28. Financial Education
29. KVNU: A Tale of Two Government Sites
30. The end of HB 466
31. DNews: Domestic Partner Registry
32. Trib: The Registry
33. Privatize more services?
    
34. KUER 90.1 Audio
35. KCPW's EZiegler: Session Ends
36. KCPW: $25 Million for Teacher Incentives
37. McFarland: Education is the biggest winner
38. Trib: Bill cocktail
39. Trib: Roads funding
40. Public access to records
41. Trib: Mobile home owners win protection
42. Schencker: Public Education Spending Plan
43. Trib: Wins for military and vets

Sine Die - ADVERB: abbr. s.d. Without a day specified for a future meeting; indefinitely: The Senate adjourned sine die.

The final day is on-line.

Senate President John Valentine
Utah State Senator, District 14

Tonight the Utah Legislature had the vision to approve reconstruction of I-15 in Utah County. We'll undertake this project without any new state tax increases.

The I-15 upgrade, along with the addition of Frontrunner commuter rail, is exactly what the heart of Utah needs right now. I appreciate the county for stepping forward to do their part. Thanks also to so many others who did their part to make this happen, including the Transportation Committee, the Utah Department of Transportation, Senate and House members, Governor Huntsman, and the Speaker of the House, Greg Curtis.

The session ends at midnight tonight. Watch or listen LIVE. (Requires RealPlayer.)

If/when we do our final informal Media Q & A well broadcast it live right here.

This has been exhausting. You get the picture. Here are all the bills we passed this year.

We will be working into the night, so keep up with our audio or video here.

Enjoy!

The Senate just passed 1SHB384, Employee Obligations Related to Workers' Compensation.

The Senate just passed HB349, Open Enrollment Revisions.

The Senate just passed HB380, Workers' Compensation Amendments.

The Senate just passed HB443, Membership of Occupational and Professional Licensure Review Committee.

The Senate just passed HB221, Agriculture and Industrial Protection Area Amendments.

The Senate just passed HB66, Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program.

The Senate concurred with House amendments to 2SSB71, School District Amendments.

The Senate just passed 3SSB46, Anti-flow Control Amendments.

The Senate just passed 3SSB17, Child Abuse and Neglect Registry.

The Senate just passed Second Substitute House Bill 264, Promotion of Health Care Coverage.

The Senate just passed SCR6, The Concurrent Resolution on the Reconstruction of I-15 through the Second and Third Reading Calendars. It now goes to the House.