The Legislature seems to be coming up to speed for the next session with a new leaders who allegedly have new ideas. But, of course, early signs indicate that the circus will continue.

• Sen. Chris Buttars, who narrowly won re-election, and newly elected Senate President-elect Mike Waddoups lit into a Bar Association-recommended judge seeking appointment to the Utah Court of Appeals because the judge ruled that the University of Utah could ban guns on campus. Judge Robert Hilder, right, also offended gun freaks by not installing weapons lockers outside his courtroom for concealed-weapon permit holders to check their gats.

• Many lawyers are even more concerned that the judicial appointment committee discussed whether Hilder is an active Mormon and the circumstances of his divorce before narrowly approving him.

• In the House, Rep. Greg Hughes, smarting from a pre-election investigation of his ethics and wrist slapping, is still angling to become chairman of the powerful Rules Committee.

• Buttars, by the way, is campaigning for the chairmanship of the Senate's Rules Committee, which is really scary because the Senate Rules Committee proceedings are not open to the public.