This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Since the first of the year, the 2013 Utah House of Representatives passed 396 bills; the Utah Senate passed 289. In comparison, in the same time period, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed 64 bills and the Senate 67.
The federal lawmaking bodies deal with headier issues; Utah's House and Senate wrestle with many less consequential issues. One of the amusing one was HB238. Now, anyone who practices hair braiding does not need a license.
The ponderous nature of the federal legislative process stands in stark contrast to the frivolous nature of our state Legislature. That the Legislature passed so many bills suggests that few get in-depth discussion. In contrast, Congress tediously deliberates to a fault.
The most efficacious approach to governing lies somewhere in between.
Louis Borgenicht
Salt Lake City