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Richard Piatt reporting It's a wrap.
The 2004 Utah Legislature adjourned late last night.
But what happened over the 45 days this winter will certainly affect the rest of this political year and beyond.
In the final hours, most of the tension had eased in the House and Senate.
Lawmakers agreed on an 8-point-2 billion dollar budget with more money for public education, health and humans services and for state employee raises.
But late into the night there was unrest over a Constitutional Amendment to define a man-woman marriage.
Sen. Chris Buttars/(R) West Jordan: "If you put this in the constitution it's permanency is much greater and more protected."
And that's exactly what brought out hundreds of people--all who left unhappy that the matter will be on the ballot this fall.
Adam Bass/Opposes Constitutional Amendment: "They're telling us to move out of the state, that we're not welcome here. But we're Utahns."
Clay Essig/Opposes Constitutional Amendment: "Just because I’m gay doesn't mean I shouldn't have all the rights that they enjoy."
This divisive issue could very well influence the rest of this election year. Already, there are differences about the session's accomplishments.
Rep. Brent Goodfellow/House Minority Leader: "We note what appears to be a disconnect between the will of the mainstream voter and the votes on Capitol Hill."
Sen. Al Mansell/Senate President: "Those who would say it was a message session must have missed most of the session. You heard the outline of the bills we passed this year that had very little to do with content."
In fact, lawmakers passed modifications to voter-approved asset forfeiture laws; there was a compromise on medical malpractice arbitration.
Most Hotly debated parental rights legislation died at the last minute.
Tuition tax credits failed.
But the taxpayer-funded high speed internet UTOPIA program survives under certain conditions.
Accomplishments or failures this session are of course a matter of opinion.
But most Capitol Hill veterans agree this high-stakes election year had an effect on how the session went, which is why some bills died and others were introduced at all.
