Vox Populi

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, has announced that he will be resigning from the Utah House of Representatives effective March 31. Here is his letter to Speaker of the House Becky Lockhart.

Before the 2012 General Session, the House Republican caucus agreed on a number of goals to accomplish by the end of the 45 days. They were to: fully fund education, reduce debt limit, address the structural imbalance, and defeat attempts to increase taxes.

2012 General Session has concluded. Now what? Next, these 478 passed bills, ranging from the nearly-$13 billion budget, to requests for the transfer of public lands, to alcohol changes head to the Governor for action. Here are a few deadlines the Governor has to conform to, per the Utah Constitution.

Introducing Rep. Dee, Rep. Webb, Rep. Noel, Rep. Hendrickson, and Rep. J. Peterson as Cowboy Mikey and the Jack Wagons. They were kind enough to serenade the House after we adjourned for the session:  

After 10 years in Utah’s House of Representatives, John Dougall announced Thursday that he will be stepping down from his seat at the end of this term. “It has been an honor to serve the people of District 27, but there’s only so much damage one person can do in the Legislature, and it feels like I’ve done it all,” Dougall said.

Well, 2012 General Session is now behind us. Here are a few things some of our local reporters have said about our work over the past 45 days. Dennis Romboy and Majorie Cortez (Deseret News)- Utah Legislature’s quiet session punctuated with shouts of states’ rights (includes a photo gallery)

Day 44 in the House. We’ll be on the Floor most of the day, debating Senate bills. The Senate 3rd Reading Calendar is all filled up. Yesterday, we passed a few appropriations bills which fund the growth in education and increase per pupil funding, as well as a 1% increase for all state departments. After several years of cuts, this money will help those departments where they need it most.