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Legislators sent a lot of messages by resolution this year — and even sang one of them in costume.
One resolution told Congress that it owes Utah $1 million for money the state used to keep national parks and monuments open during a partial federal government shut-down in 2013.
Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, said instead of paying Utah, the federal government did such things as spend $1.6 million to study the effects of excess alcohol on prostitutes in China, and $10 million on a Pakistani Sesame Street program. No mention was made in floor debate of Sen. Mike Lee's leading role in the budget standoff that led to the shutdown.
Lawmakers also called for repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and a return to an earlier time when state legislatures picked U.S. senators instead of voters.
Sen. Al Jackson, R-Highland, said restoring the pre-1913 system would make senators accountable to state governments. "Today, senators are more beholden to special-interest groups than to their states" because those interests give them campaign donations, he said.
The House voted to call for a convention of the states to consider U.S. constitutional amendments to impose "fiscal restraints" on Washington and limit terms of Congress members. However, the resolution died in the Senate.
Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, passed a resolution that declares pornography as a public health crisis. "This isn't just some right-wing idea. This is actually based on real research and real science," he said.
Both houses also approved a resolution to honor Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer of the rap musical "Hamilton" on Broadway about founding father Alexander Hamilton.
Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, said its hip-hop music has captivated America's youth, spurring renewed interest in American history. The conservative Ivory dressed as Hamilton while liberal Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, dressed as King George III to perform some of the lyrics on the Senate floor.