Rep. Brad Dee

For the past few years, I have written an annual pre-session article discussing the state budget and various hot button issues. The budget news for the past few years has been depressing by even the most generous of standards. Even though I think the state did a great job making wise budget decisions during trying times, it didn't make it any easier to be the bearer of bad news in articles about the budget.

This year the opening budget news is positive! The projections are checked and revised throughout the year, but for several quarters the estimates have continued to move in a positive direction. Early estimates show state revenues up by $400 million over last year ($128 million from one-time revenue sources and $280 million from ongoing sources).

During the session, I often get e-mails and calls from constituents urging me to vote this way or that way on a particular issue. Sometimes I even get feedback from folks after the fact that think I voted on the wrong side of an issue and wonder what on earth I could possibly have been thinking! The considerations that go into a vote are many and varied, but the most important consideration is you.

The Legislature considers nearly 1,000 bills every year in the short timeframe of 45 days. I employ a range of strategies to help me get a sense of how the communities I represent feel about the issues of the day. Obviously not everyone is united on a course of action, so one of the most important factors I consider when casting a vote is the feedback from my pre-session legislative surveys. Each year, before the session begins, I compile a list of questions on the hot topics that are expected to come before the Legislature and ask my constituents to let me know what they think. This year I asked about topics ranging from possible budget cuts to liquor licenses to immigration reform. I would like to thank everyone that took the time to complete and return the survey.

There has been a lot of talk this legislative session about immigration reform. I don't think anyone would dispute that our immigration system is broken and deeply flawed, but there is quite a bit of disagreement about how to fix it, who should fix it and what to do next.

The easy part of government is to identify the problem -- the hard part is to identify a solution. Whether you agree or disagree with the various immigration reform bills proposed this year, one needs to respect the individuals that have dedicated their time to generating possible solutions. It isn't an easy job to imagine something better and then draft laws to make it so.

For better or worse, this year's hottest hot topic at the Legislature appears to be immigration. This issue has simmered for many years, sometimes hitting boiling points such as when the state instituted a requirement that undocumented immigrants receive a driving privilege card rather than a drivers' license a few years ago. Illegal immigration could be more easily addressed at the federal level, but unfortunately, the federal government lacks the courage and political leadership to do so, leaving the issue to the states to handle as they may.

Many of you might see the above headline and think, "can it possibly be time again for another legislative session?" Though I confess that at times it does seem like the session sneaks up too quickly, a new year has indeed dawned and the 2011 general session will open Monday morning.

To the occasional legislative follower, the sessions and issues might blend together, but to legislators, the flavor and tone of each year's session is unique because of the issues that rise to the forefront and dominate the debate and discussion. The past two sessions were monopolized by difficult budget discussions, which made the sessions seem longer and harder than others in recent memory. As I survey the issues lining up to frame and shape this session, two stand out as particularly hot topics: continued budget woes and immigration.

Ever heard the saying, "almost only counts in horseshoes?" It certainly doesn't count in health reform to "almost" do it, even though our federal leaders would like you to think so. Thank goodness Utah hasn't been sitting back twiddling our thumbs waiting for Washington to solve our health care problems!

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that, as a state, we finally hit our revenue projections. The bad news is that we finally hit our revenue projections.