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Sam Penrod ReportingIt was the first day of work for state lawmakers, who will spend the next 45 days working on the difficult issues facing the state. It was largely a procedural and ceremonial day, but now that the legislature is in session, they have a lot to do and will have to tackle some hard issues, from education funding to trying to settle the ongoing feud between banks and credit unions.
Marty Stephens: I'll rule we have a quorum present and call the House to order."
And with that, the Utah legislature began its annual session on Capitol Hill. First order of business was to swear in the House and then a changing of leadership. Longtime speaker Marty Stevens turned over the gavel to new house speaker Greg Curtis. It was a similar ceremony in the Senate, where John Valentine took over as President.
For the next 45 days the legislature will conduct the state's business in small, temporary chambers while the Capitol is renovated.
Sen. Patrice Arent , (D) State Senate: “It is going to be cramped and more difficult for the public to be involved, and that is a concern to me.”
For freshmen lawmakers like Mark Wheatley, the cramped quarters aren't so bad.
Rep. Mark Wheatley , (D) House: “I have no comparison. It is a great location. They are doing the best with what we have. It is just an honor to serve.”
But it's the issues facing the legislature, some of them will certainly be decisive and require both parties to work together.
Sen. Arent: "I think it's important we find more funding for education; that has got to be our top priority. Also we need to look at long term needs of transportation and public employees.”
Greg Curtis, House Speaker: "When people say, ‘What are the important issues?’, I say that depends if you are a realtor, a banker, a credit union member, or a citizen involved and concerned about education or health and human services. Those are issues people are passionate about and we're going to try and address them."
Lawmakers have several committee meetings tomorrow morning, but in the afternoon they'll get on a bus and head for Fillmore, as Governor Huntsman gives his state of the state address from the Territorial Statehouse. And you can see the Governor's speech tomorrow night at 6:30 live from Fillmore.
After that it will be back here where lawmakers expect it will get very busy.
