Utah Legislature

OGDEN -- A pair of Republican incumbents thrown into the same House race by redistricting both say gaining control of federal lands and using the money for education is at the top of their priority list.

Brad Galvez, of West Haven, faces off against Lee Perry, of Perry, for the House of Representatives District 29 seat, which was formed after a merger of District 2 and District 6.

The two candidates say that, right now, Utah has a one-of-a-kind opportunity to increase funding for education.

OGDEN - A veteran incumbent faces a newcomer for the Republican nomination in state Senate District 19.

Allen Christensen is seeking his third term in the Senate, while Dan Deuel is opposing him.

Christensen, 65, is a pediatric dentist. He says he is seeking another term because he has strong opinions about how Utah should be run.

OGDEN -- A return to civility and moderation in Washington D.C. is a common theme among Democrats seeking the party nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives District 2 seat.

"We have a tremendously strident and extremist approach to solving problems," Bountiful resident Dean Collinwood said. "This doesn't make for good government."

Collinwood is one of a trio of candidates pushing that message, along with their own specific issues, as they head to the Democratic Party Convention Friday and Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City.

FARMINGTON — Once again, Gov. Gary Herbert took political heat from his Republican opponents, but this time it was the lieutenant governor who defended the incumbent’s positions.

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell participated in a debate for Republican candidates at the Farmington Community Center on Friday afternoon. The event was sponsored by the Davis County Young Republicans.

About 150 people attended to hear the positions of the candidates, including David Kirkham, Morgan Philpot, Lane Ronnow, William Skokos and Ken Sumsion.

SOUTH OGDEN — The Women’s Legislative Council of Weber County will meet Monday to discuss legislative bills and President Barack Obama’s health care plan.

The public is invited to the meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the South Ogden Senior Center, 580 39th St.

State Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, will discuss bills that passed and those that did not during the 2012 legislative session.

Wand Gaz, the group’s chaplain, will also discuss the health care plan.

There will be time for questions after each speaker. Refreshments will be served.

Spending a day listening to representatives and senators debating bills may not sound like the most exciting way to pass the time, but it was fascinating to see how the Utah Legislature worked during a school visit to the Utah State Capitol.

With only 45 days in the session, which begins on the fourth Monday of January every year, Utah's legislature has many bills to go through in a short amount of time.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Gov. Gary Herbert is signing a bill challenging the federal control of public lands in Utah despite legal warnings about significant constitutional issues.