All Things Must End

I had the dubious distinction of being voted the fairest reporter by legislators one year, something akin to, as I’ve said before, being voted the inmates favorite guard. I was asked once by a rather prominent and good natured lawmaker if I missed covering the legislature. I said if I ever did, I would just lie down until the feeling went away. I have to admit that as a political junky it was very interesting, to say the least, to watch the process in action. Politics can be a full contact sport even in Utah. A top aide to a former Utah governor once described politicians as “people with personality excess, bless ‘em.” I do give them credit though. There is a lot of time and hard work that goes into being in the legislature, especially those who represent rural districts and must drive hundreds of miles just to see their constituents. And the vast majority of legislation they deal with on Capitol Hill benefits Utahns. In fact Utah was just this week ranked among the top three states in the country for effective state government by the Pew Center. So they’re doing something right. It is unfortunate, however, that so much time can be wasted on measures that “make a statement” rather than do anything good for us. Unfortunate that too often there are power plays in the backrooms meant to “get” another legislator. Unfortunate that sometimes lawmakers act against the will of most Utahns because they believe they know what’s best for us or to appeal to a small group of benefactors. Unfortunate that in the rush of the final hours legislation is passed that is terribly flawed. It’s said that law making is like sausage making, no one should have to watch it being done. And as the 2008 general session of the state legislature ends, we can only hope they didn’t make too much sausage.