Gov. Gary Herbert goes into his first lawmaking session enjoying perhaps the best relationship with the Legislature of any governor since Norm Bangerter.

"No one knows what the end result will be, but it's started off that way," said Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, who is now working alongside his fifth governor.

It is a collegial bond fostered by Herbert's hands-on approach and outreach to lawmakers surpassing past administrations.

House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, said that, while Herbert's predecessor, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., had an open door for lawmakers, Herbert has stepped outside and actively engaged with the Legislature.

"It's been a more congenial and cooperative effort right now, and I don't know if circumstances as tough as they are make everyone a little more congenial, but it has been very refreshing to have that outreach," Clark said.

Where former Gov. Mike Leavitt was more forceful with the Legislature, says Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, Herbert is taking a personal touch.

"He utilizes personal relationships," said Knudson. "He kind of has that personality and really engages directly in back and forth."

Herbert has also extended a hand across the aisle, continuing Huntsman's policy of including Democrats, according to House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City.

"Under the Huntsman administration, Democrats experienced unparalleled access, the desire to include us in decisions, to include us in the dialogue and inform us as issues came up. To this point, I feel the Herbert administration has continued that," Litvack said.

It helps that many legislators got to know "Gary" before they got to know him as "governor." Herbert, a county commissioner before he became lieutenant governor, has traveled the state exhaustively in past years, building personal relationships with lawmakers and local leaders.

"It's just my nature," Herbert said in a Tribune interview last week. "I'm comfortable working with them, and I think it's probably a good process to say, let's have some input and discussion with people I have high regard for."

Valentine said the difference he sees with Herbert is twofold. First, he says Herbert shared the Legislature's budget goals of avoiding tax hikes and funding education, as opposed to past governors who set unreal expectations and left lawmakers to make the hard decisions.

Second, Herbert is a policy wonk. Valentine said he has been in meetings on land use and water rights where Herbert has taken off his coat and stayed for hours, rather than making a ceremonial appearance or sending a representative.

"He isn't a show horse. He really is a workhorse," the senator said.

Herbert is also in tune with the Legislature's dominant conservative philosophy.

While Huntsman rocked the GOP boat by embracing efforts to slow climate change, Herbert has taken a skeptical view. And while Huntsman supported same-sex civil unions, Herbert opposes such efforts.

"I think it's human nature, the more similar we are on our points of view, our philosophy, particularly in politics, the more affinity [you have]. If I see it exactly the way you see it, you're going to say, 'Boy, you are so smart,'" Herbert said. "I am a conservative, probably a right-of-center person, but I'm also a consensus builder and I recognize that other points of view ought to be heard and respected."

The governor has also been an active campaigner for his Republican legislative colleagues. Last week, he appeared at a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, and has helped out in a handful of campaign events for other members.

Looking ahead, however, there are potential friction points. For one, the Legislature is contemplating cutting state agencies by about 5 percent, reductions that weren't in Herbert's budget plan and that the governor last week called "draconian."

"I believe as they go through that process, at the end of the day they'll come to the same position I'm at," he said. "I believe my budget that I propose will be adopted, 90 percent by the Legislature. That's just where the puzzle part fits into the puzzle."

The governor is also resisting a proposal by the Legislature to limit campaign contributions -- a position recommended by a Huntsman-created commission on good government and backed by the House. Herbert considers it a restriction on free speech and would prevent anyone but wealthy, self-financed candidates from running for office.