The Big Rematch
It's too bad the State Capitol couldn't be moved to Daggett County for one day so the leadership race in the Utah State Senate could be called "The Thrilla in Manila."
Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, has made it clear to members of the Republican caucus that he will challenge Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, for the top job when leadership races are held shortly after the Nov. 7 general election.
Valentine defeated Waddoups for the Senate President position two years ago after former President Al Mansell stepped down. But there has been grumbling in the Senate GOP caucus that the House has been the dominant player in policy-making in recent years. Last year, during tax reform discussions, the House wanted to drop the sales tax on food while the Senate favored income tax reform. After a series of compromises, the House basically won that battle.
Leading up to the recent special session on tax reform, House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, seemed to be developing a policy strategy on taxes with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and the Senate leadership seemed to be left out.
Significantly, Curtis currently is the only one of the eight members of Republican leadership in the House who is from Salt Lake County, which claims nearly half the state's population.
If Waddoups were to prevail against Valentine, it would be two.
The Senate majority leader is Peter Knudsen from Brigham City, the whip is Dan Eastman from Bountiful and the assistant whip is the retiring Bev Evans of Altamont.
The House majority leader is Jeff Alexander of Provo and the two representatives vying to replace him are both from Washington County -- David Clark of Santa Clara and Steve Urquhart of St. George. The whip currently is Urquhart and the assistant whip is Ben Ferry of Corinne.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, has made it clear to members of the Republican caucus that he will challenge Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, for the top job when leadership races are held shortly after the Nov. 7 general election.
Valentine defeated Waddoups for the Senate President position two years ago after former President Al Mansell stepped down. But there has been grumbling in the Senate GOP caucus that the House has been the dominant player in policy-making in recent years. Last year, during tax reform discussions, the House wanted to drop the sales tax on food while the Senate favored income tax reform. After a series of compromises, the House basically won that battle.
Leading up to the recent special session on tax reform, House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, seemed to be developing a policy strategy on taxes with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and the Senate leadership seemed to be left out.
Significantly, Curtis currently is the only one of the eight members of Republican leadership in the House who is from Salt Lake County, which claims nearly half the state's population.
If Waddoups were to prevail against Valentine, it would be two.
The Senate majority leader is Peter Knudsen from Brigham City, the whip is Dan Eastman from Bountiful and the assistant whip is the retiring Bev Evans of Altamont.
The House majority leader is Jeff Alexander of Provo and the two representatives vying to replace him are both from Washington County -- David Clark of Santa Clara and Steve Urquhart of St. George. The whip currently is Urquhart and the assistant whip is Ben Ferry of Corinne.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
2:18 PM
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