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John Daley ReportingHigh-profile bills on controversial social issues -- with time running out this session, lawmakers are still grappling with some touch decisions on emotionally charged topics. There's also some discussion about whether those issues which generate so much controversy, also steal too much time and attention from other important matters.
Highways, taxes on things like your groceries, money for schools. One bill requires minors seeking an abortion to first get permission from their parents. That passed the Senate today.
Republican Chris Buttars generated plenty of debate over two bills, one making science classes teach that evolution isn't the only theory on man's origins. That failed, but still alive is another banning gay/straight clubs in schools. Buttars insists his bill is important policy, but others think lawmakers have spent too much time of so-called "message" or "sideshow" bills.
Sen. Chris Buttars, (R) West Jordan: "This is no message bill. My goodness, this is a bill that will stop the gay community from using these gay clubs as indoctrination to gay life. Mark my words that's what it is. They try to say, 'My no, I started out with this statement, I'll end with it.' If you're in a chess club, what are you talking about? If you're in a dance club, what are you talking about? If you're in a gay club, what are you talking about?"
Sen. Scott McCoy, (D) Salt Lake City: "We spend an inordinate amount of time. I like what Governor Huntsman calls them, which are sideshow bills. They really are the sideshow. What we should be up here focusing on is how to spend this huge budget surplus we have, dealing with issues like human services, education even roads."
There are a lot of bills still out there unresolved and we'll be following this through the evening and have more ahead in our later newscasts.
No word on whether the gay clubs bill has been heard or what the outcome is, but we'll pass it along to you when we hear. They'll be here trying to finish up late into the night.
