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Richard Piatt Reporting The 2006 Utah Legislature is over, but heated debates over state-wide issues are not.
Lawmakers adjourned at midnight last night, and as in every 45-day general session, many questions were left unanswered.
Governor Huntsman was clearly disappointed a flat income tax compromise, also honed by leaders in the House and Senate, didn't get the approval of the full House.
Earlier, as time in the 2006 session ran out, members expressed enough concern about the tax reform to put it on hold.
Rep. Steve Urquhart/ House Majority Whip: "This body has not had time to contemplate this significant change to the tax structure."
The House and Senate did pass a slight reduction on the grocery food sales tax.
And many other priorities did get money. That includes the economic development initiative USTAR, public education, transportation, and Medicaid.
The Governor's all-day kindergarten program languished, along with the income tax.
Medicaid patients hoping to get dental and vision benefits restored were also disappointed. That was not funded. A bill that could have affected high school gay-straight alliance clubs failed, as did a bill about teaching evolution as only a theory.
This year's version of tuition tax credits died, as did a lobbying reform bill and one that would have taken away in state tuition for children of illegal immigrants.
An abortion parental notification bill did pass.
Also noteworthy: the Senate unanimously passed this year's version of the hate crimes bill. After eight years of debate, this one would allow prosecutors to address the crimes as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
Also, the House passed the original version of a bill that bans smoking in private clubs and taverns.
The goal of tax reform is an ambitious one, and now it looks like it will be finished in a special session. The governor hasn't said when, only that it is a certainty.
