SALT LAKE CITY -- On March 11, the Utah Legislature finished the work of a general session in an extremely lean year. Money pressures were the dominant force during the session. As House Speaker David Clark put it, "The budget is truly that 800-pound gorilla in the room."

Lawmakers also focused their energy on ethics reform. And at the end of the day, legislators were proclaiming "mission accomplished."

"I think what's important that, in a very non partisan, bi-partisan manner, we've worked together to minimize the idea of winners and losers," said Rep. David Litvack, House Minority Leader.

This week's Sunday Edition focuses on success and the failures of the 2010 Legislative Session with House Majority Whip Rep. Brad Dee, Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones, and KSL political reporter Richard Piatt.

Segment 1:

Reporter Richard Piatt discusses overall impressions of the session. He explains that most Utahns will not immediately see the effects of the session, but there may be layoffs to state employees, cutbacks to state programs and increases in classroom sizes in Utah public schools.

Related:

Ethics reform, states' rights stand out during 2010 session

During Utah's 2010 legislative session, the bills that stood out were those dealing with ethics reform, state pension system reform and a slew of states rights bills. Not all of it was a bipartisan effort, but a lot of it was.

He describes how the tight budget drove the non-partisan attitude at the Capitol this year. Both democrats and republicans supported Gov. Herbert's budget plan. The Governor played a behind the scenes roll but was very involved with tobacco tax and public education funding.

The discussion continues with with Rep. Brad Dee, R-Ogden, and Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay. Both legislators weigh in on Rep. Kevin Garn's confession about sitting nude in a hot tub with a teenage girl 25 years ago.

"He has been a great legislator," says Dee. "He is one of the best negotiators I have ever met and he has been the type of colleague that brings people together to form a consensus and find results."

"I just feel sorry for his family and none of us can be judges," Jones explains.

The dialogue shifts to the issue of the budget. Jones says that the tight budget led to bi-partisanship.

According to Dee, "It made us work to come to the table much quicker this session and start handling problems and not rhetoric."

Both representatives explain that the cuts will impact road projects, health and human services and education. Public education took a 4 to 5 percent reduction per pupil and higher education took a 12 percent cut.

"I wish that the public understood the benefits they receive from higher education. We all get great benefits from that. First of all, it spurs the economy. And it gets our students the education they need to work in our economy," says Jones.

Both guests enjoyed working with Gov. Herbert during his first session as governor.

"This is the most communicative governor I have ever worked with," describes Dee. And Jones says that he worked well with democrats.

Segment 2:

The guests discuss message bills, ethics and their hopes for next session.

Fifteen "message bills" passed during the session on the issue of state's rights. Jones says that they should be dealt with altogether so that the focus can move on to other business.

She explains, "My constituents, when they email me and call me, they are concerned about public education, higher education, law enforcement and corrections, and those kinds of things. I do not get calls on state's rights."

Dee says that he and other legislators do get calls from constituents who say that there is too much federal control.

Both legislators supported ethics reform and are pleased with what the legislature was able to accomplish. Utah is still one of only 6 states to not limit campaign contributions. Jones and Dee believe that the contributions are something that need to be explored next session.

Dee hopes to continue the dialogue on education and health and human services funding next year, but does not support tax increases. Jones hopes that the State can form a long term plan for public and higher education.

Segment 3:

The goal of "Sunday Edition" is to host civil discourse on meaningful topics. We invite you to join the conversation.

Please send us your comments, ideas and even write a whole essay. We encourage you to submit your thoughtful reflections on this week's discussion of the 2010 Legislative Session.

We will place those submissions deemed most insightful on the "Sunday Edition" section front page.