Legislature strips governor of some powers

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Gov. Jon Huntsman will no longer be able to enter into interstate compacts like the one he signed with other Western states calling for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions without the Legislature's approval.

Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman has said he will veto Senate Bill 144, but on Wednesday the House approved the measure with a veto-proof majority of 54-18. The Senate also approved the bill with a veto proof two-thirds majority.

Many lawmakers, including some who don't believe global warming exists, were upset with Huntsman for not seeking their permission before signing the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative.

On Wednesday, lawmakers said they are merely seeking to maintain a constitutional separation of powers. "It's simple, it's straightforward and it just protects our legislative functions," said Rep. Kevin Garn, R-Layton.

Huntsman is a popular, moderate Republican who occasionally butts heads with a substantially more conservative Legislature, although rarely in public.

On Wednesday, it was primarily Democrats who came to his defense and voted against the measure. Many said they didn't understand the need for limiting the governor's power. "It seems to be we've had statehood for quite a while," said Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden. "Has there been other issues throughout the history of Utah where that has been a problem?"

Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, was one of the few Republicans to vote against the measure. He said the end result of the bill is that the Legislature would end up having to be called into costly special sessions to approve mundane administrative agreements.

But House Majority Leader Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said that because the governor is the only one who can call the Legislature into a special session, it will be his decision to weigh whether the agreement is worth the time and expense.

Because the House altered the original bill so that expenditures less than $50,000 would not need legislative approval, it will get one more hearing in the Senate before it is sent to Huntsman.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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