Abortion: He is the sponsor of the state's two most recent laws restricting abortion. But along the way, he has managed to enrage both foes and supporters of abortion rights.

Radioactive waste: For years, he fought a proposed ban against hotter radioactive waste in Utah. Last year, he changed course and supported a ban after it drew support from Envirocare of Utah, the Tooele private disposal company.

Eminent domain: His legislation, signed into law, restricted property condemnation in economic development zones. It drew plaudits from taxpayer groups but put him at odds with city planners and soccer fans hoping to use public financing to build sports stadiums.

Tax reform: He has emerged as the prime mover for a flat-tax proposal through his work on a tax-reform task force.