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John Daley ReportingUtah Legislators have gone home, but they'll be back! The lawmakers ended the 2006 legislative session late last night, but they did it without passing a key reform measure.
That issue is tax reform. The solution? The governor says he'll call a special session in hopes of getting it done.
Midnight Wednesday, tax reform, one of Governor Huntsman's major priorities stalls in the House.
Rep. Greg Curtis, (R) House Speaker: "What was my reaction? You win some, you lose some, you keep marching forward."
Twelve hours later, the Governor marches forward to say he thinks leaders of both houses are on board with a plan to lower the state income tax rate paid by most Utahns from 7-percent to 4.95-percent. But he admits some lawmakers need more persuasion.
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah: "We have a little bit of educating ahead of us for those in the house who want to spend a little bit of time coming up to speed on some of the content of the tax bill."
Sen. John Valentine, (R) Senate President: "I'm actually looking forward to the special session because we can focus or attention on one thing, and that's tax reform."
Meantime, minority Democrats are hoping the special session will allow them to revisit funding for the poor, disabled and elderly.
Rep. Ralph Becker, (D) Minority Leader: "I hate to see those people in a position where they're forced into institutions, when they could have in-home care, or out on the street without food or clothing."
Asked about his style dealing with a headstrong legislature, the governor says he first tries diplomacy.
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah: "I'm just a simple dweeb who is pretty forthright and honest. And I tell people what I think is important for this state. We set a very simple agenda and we go for it."
The governor sites the Legacy Highway deal as one where bringing the sides together led to cooperation, and he says he's considering a veto of a bill aimed to punish environmental groups bringing lawsuits.
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah: "I'm not warm to it right now." "I'M NOT WARM TO IT RIGHT NOW."
Looking ahead, the governor says he'll propose new ethics reforms, which lawmakers again killed this year, and says he's concerned by the rise of super-powerful lobbyists.
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah: "I am concerned that some of them have disproportionate level of influence."
The governor says he'll call lawmakers back sometime between now and May 17.
