Legislature adjourns, but not everyone's happy

Richard Piatt reportingA major surplus and a few emotional issues each played a part in the 2008 Legislature. Utah lawmakers adjourned the general session just after midnight.

Before midnight Wednesday, Utah legislators doled out more than half the new money-- $200-million--to public education.

They're funding and planning new highway projects. Health system reform is a serious commitment, up for intense study this year. Medical, dental and vision services for the poor got money. But not everyone feels good about what went on in the 2008 Legislature.

Archie Archuleta, of the group La Raza, said, "There seems to be a groundswell of racism accompanying the anti-immigration issue."

Legislators say they were responding to demands they deal with immigration, passing Senate Bill 81. The finer points of driving privilege cards and in-state tuition were changed or died.

The Senate took most of the teeth out of a bill affecting Salt Lake's domestic registry. Now, only the name of the benefit is the issue.

Alco-pops are out of grocery stores; and a shot of liquor is now 1.5 ounces.

Health system reform will be studied. Kids shorter than 4 feet 9 inches or under 8 years old need a booster seat. Teachers get a $1,700 raise this year. And Utah now has one of the strongest laws in the nation to protect dogs and cats from torture.

Gov. Huntsman says a return to the Capitol building on an election year helped shape a spirit of cooperation this year.

"This year with one of the highest surpluses in the state's history, I think we have done very well. And I think we've done right for keeping education as a priority for spending," he said.

Now, it's the governor's job to go through the hundreds of bills the Legislature passed and either add his signature, or a veto.

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