Musings from Day 45

Some of my observations from the last 45 days:

*Hardest words to pronounce: sequestration, escheat and eosinophilic

*Hardest words to say: “I’ll change my vote on the transportation bill, Mr. Speaker”

*Lots of people come to watch the last 3 hours of the session – but they don’t stay through until the end – that’s when the funnest part begins.

*Overall, it’s been a mild year – only one major outburst noted in the House

*No fist fights in the hall.

*The legislators control the thermostat.  They got hot, temp went down and up in the gallery, Sheena McFarland of the Tribune starting typing with gloves on.

*Caffeine tax jokes abound

*We had the chance to have a Madame Speaker pro temp this year when Rep Becky Lockhart took the chair

*The Democratic caucus has 50% women.  The Republican caucus, just over 10%.  Hmmmm.

*No swearing from the dais this year.  That was new.

*Couldn’t find any Utah legislators actively using Twitter and few actively using Facebook.  Notable exceptions on Facebook are Rep Brad Daw, Craig Frank, John Dougall, and Christine Johnson with Rep Sandstrom and Senator Killpack not too far behind.  I bet that next year, we’ll see a lot more using both – and maybe even blogging, too.

*Many of the controversial bills were handled early this year – common ground initiative bills, abortion bills and some gun bills were done early.  Controversy saved for the end: GRAMA (killed), 2 proposals to change the Utah Constitution (one passed, one failed), alcohol laws and tax increases (all killed but for the $20 increase on vehicle registration).

*Brides come to take their bridal portraits on the inside steps, in the middle of the (noisy) session.  Do they have some special connection to the Capitol, or do they just like the granite?

*The Capitol is especially beautiful at night, both from the inside and the outside.

*I’m sure there are more, but it’s late and I’m tired.  Tune in again.