The 2010 Utah legislative session is about to end and I’m sure that nobody is looking forward to the close of this year’s 45 day session more than the 104 members of the Utah State House and Senate. This was a difficult budgeting year for serious Utah legislators due to shortfall in tax revenues caused by the failed policies of the Bush administration and Wall Street greed. So, Here’s my thoughts on the “Good, Bad, and Ugly” of the 2010 Legislative Session.

The Good:

I have heard from some on Capitol Hill that this year’s session brought forth more cooperation from Republicans and Democrats than in past years. One of the reasons for this statement comes from the fact that as of last Tuesday Utah Democratic legislators have already passed 20 bills with the possibility of passing a few more with two days left before the session ends, as opposed to the 15 bills passed by Democratic lawmakers during the 2009 session.

Utah Democrats were also pleased that they were able to work with their GOP counterparts to fill budget holes that will lesson the financial impact on the most vulnerable in our society by delaying transportation projects that have not been scheduled. Sen. Karen Mayne’s bill requiring Deferred Deposit lenders to register with the Department of Financial Institutions was good as was the fact that no one in the Utah Legislature had the stomach to reinstate the regressive sales & use taxes on food while possibly eliminating taxes on certain food & beverages sold by restaurants.

The Bad:

I have serious concerns with Sen. Dan Liljenquist’s SB 63, a bill that replaces the defined-benefit pension plan for public employees (Like teachers, police officers and fire fighters) hired after July 1, 2011, with a scaled-down option. I believe it is a step in the wrong direction for the state’s business. Utah should want to stay competitive as an employer and it has been my experience that those who invest in their business during tough economic times reap the benefits when a good economy returns. 4,500+ public employees went to the Capitol to show their disapproval of this bill only to be called “ridiculous” by Republicans. Our public employees sacrifice much, are paid little and deserve more.

The Ugly:

All the message bills aimed at the federal government. Where were these bills and thoughts when President Bush was in office? Although Utah Democrats understand and uphold states’ rights, most of these bills had nothing to do with solving today’s issues and problems and had everything to do with sour grapes and over who is living in The White House. The bills took too much time and energy and were all about throwing rocks and had nothing to do with good policy.

Maybe someone should remind Rep. Carl Wimmer and his Patrick Henry Caucus (The Birchers) of the sacrifice of early Utah residents who worked so diligently to bring Utah into the United States of America.