While only a one-time allocation, legislative leaders were concerned that additional costs would accrue as the system was installed and tested during the 2005 General Legislative Session.
But thanks to Mark Allred - legislative research and systems analyst - those concerns were quickly laid to rest.
The only way additional costs would be added, Allred quipped, is if the online broadcast became extremely popular.
Currently, about 200 people access the state's online audio stream of House and Senate floor debates.
"If for some reason that went to 1,000 or 2,000 people, then we'd have a problem," Allred said about the anticipated addition of the online broadcast system.
Philpot hangs on: As the GOP nominee for House District 45, Mark Walker is lined up to inherit Midvale Republican Rep. Morgan Philpot's throne.
Running as an incumbent - even if just for a few months - would give Walker an edge over his opponents. But there's no telling when Philpot will relinquish his crown.
Philpot packed up his family and moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., last week to prepare for his first semester at Ave Maria Law School. Classes start Monday.
But the soon-to-be ex-lawmaker, who missed August interim meetings, has yet to officially resign.
Anticipating that his vetoed Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship bill would resurface for debate at a special legislative session in September, Philpot opted to wait before severing all Utah ties.
"That bill is important to me," said Philpot, who, upon learning that Republican legislative leaders failed to drum up enough support to revive it, added, "I'll probably resign soon."
Philpot isn't drawing a salary and has yet to miss a vote. The Democratic contender for his seat, Laura Black, doubts Philpot's absence will be missed by voters.
"I would say this district hasn't been represented for the past four years," said the 46-year-old Utah Education Association staffer. "At this point, I hope he doesn't resign because that makes it a fair race."
Walker, 28, meanwhile, is sitting by patiently.
"You don't get a huge bounce out of being nominated the replacement," said the Sandy resident and lumber supply salesman.
Homebody Huntsman: Utah gubernatorial hopeful Jon Huntsman Jr. must have called in a few favors to get current and former New York City mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani to stump for him at a Fifth Avenue fund-raiser coinciding with the Republican National Convention.
All was for nought, however, because the Aug. 28 event has been "postponed" indefinitely.
Huntsman's campaign manager Jason Chaffetz says with the November election fast approaching, Huntsman has decided not to attend the convention.
"Spending time in New York won't do anything to get Utah votes," said Chaffetz.
Attempts on Friday to reach Bloomberg's office were unsuccessful.
But when asked whether Bloomberg and Giuliani felt snubbed, Chaffetz said: "They'll be relieved. There are probably better things to be doing on a Saturday night in New York. They're still helping us raise money. What's more important is their support and encouragement."
