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Richard Piatt Reporting It's that time again, the Utah Legislature is now in session. This begins the 45 day process of setting both the budget and policy for the state. Today was a pretty mellow day on Capitol Hill, perhaps the calm before the storm. But most people are predicting a pretty smooth-running 45 days, greased by a huge billion dollar surplus.
The next few weeks will be busy at the Capitol. From school groups to special interests, the halls are buzzing. All want at least a piece of the Legislative pie.
Rep. Greg Curtis, House Speaker: "There's really nothing unusual about this session other than the large revenues, so that will be helpful, also makes things a little more difficult."
Lawmakers are expected to deal with a surplus that could lead to significant tax reform. Education could get a financial boost, too. So could highway and road projects.
At this point, we expect lawmakers to take on tax reform right away. Bright and early Tuesday morning, a house committee takes on the elimination of the sales tax on food. It's a proposal that has widespread, but not unanimous support. For example, some cities and towns are concerned about financial loss if the food tax goes away.
Danny McConkie, Davis County Commissioner: "It's been in the system so long, the financial loss to small cities and towns could be crippling."
Members of the anti-hunger action committee are also lobbying lawmakers to remove the tax. And advocates for the poor are already working for an ear from lawmakers, to help with tax relief and to restore certain medical benefits that were cut a couple years ago.
There was a lot of time spent on ceremony this first day, but real, complex and sometimes emotional issues are next on the schedule.
Rep. Ralph Becker, House Minority Leader: "This session may play out a little differently than past session. And maybe the Legacy Highway played a role in that, that consensus isn't just among majority republicans."
The real work will begin tomorrow, and right out of the chute: the bill to remove the sales tax on food in a House committee.
