As thousands of state lawmakers from across the country gather this week for a convention in Salt Lake City, local organizers say they are having to cut a few corners to pay for the five-day event.

While still not near the $1.2 million initially budgeted for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Utah lawmakers say donations totaling more than $700,000 as of last week will be enough to adequately host the convention - with modest trims to some of the extras.

"I don't think anyone will know from the surface that we had to economize," said Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, who also serves on the bipartisan NCSL host committee. "None of us are interested in going into debt in any way, so I think that we'll make do."

The convention, which convenes today at the Salt Palace Convention Center, will feature a series of high-profile guest speakers and about 150 sessions devoted to discussing current policy issues. Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens, who serves as NCSL president, played a role in attracting the donor-supported annual convention to the state.

Among other items, lawmakers will discuss policy positions on immigration, nuclear waste and the federal education reform law known as No Child Left Behind. The roster of speakers includes Donna Brazile, 2002 campaign manager for Al Gore; Bill Kristol, editor of the conservative Weekly Standard; and time-management guru Stephen Covey.

"This truly is a meeting where America's ideas are crafted, delegated and enacted," said Gene Rose, NCSL press director. "It's our firm belief that the best public policy ideas come out of state legislators."

Guests also can visit Lagoon or learn about genealogy. Tours will be given of Antelope Island and Kennecott Copper Mine.

"I'm proud of what we will display to the nation's legislators," Walker said, adding that the conference and its events will be "classy, dignified and fun."

But hosting the event in Utah has posed some challenges. The convention's opening reception at the state Capitol on Tuesday will have no alcohol - described by some as a "first" for an NCSL conference.

"That's a pretty significant item at a reception," said Rep. Ty McCartney, D-Salt Lake City. "I'm really anxious to see the response of other lawmakers. I'm hoping they'll take it in stride."

There also have been funding issues. To make spending match donations - many of which come from the business community - the host committee has opted to cut some complimentary shuttle services and reduce food orders from caterers. About $30,000 was saved after the committee voted to give out-of-state lawmakers a $6 CD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, instead of a $15 camp stool.

The $6 gift was partly subsidized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation, which donated the CDs "at cost" and is providing a free performance by the choir Tuesday.

"We've gone above and beyond what NCSL asked us to do," said Sandy Rep. Greg Curtis about the gift and planned social events. "We're having an opening and a closing social. NCSL indicated to us we only needed one."

Donors for those socials include PacifiCorp and Zions Bank, giving about $50,000. The Salt Lake Board of Realtors donated about $10,000, while the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City and Sandy donated $2,500. Other contributions will go toward transportation and activities for more than 4,000 legislators and guests expected at the NCSL conference.

The event is expected to pump more than $4 million into the state's economy, according to Jason Mathis of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau.

But the number of attendees is down from previous years, blamed on an election year and the fact that the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Boston on July 26.

nwarburton@sltrib.com