What I don’t know about the sausage-making on capitol hill could fill a book, but if you were to ask me where a bill regarding law enforcement powers would be heard in the Utah Senate, it would be a Judicial Committee, just like when it was first heard in the Utah House. However, this bill is instead headed for the Senate Education committee. I’m sure there is a perfectly understandable reason as to why this might be. Maybe the Judicial Committee has more believers in Fourth Amendment protections than the Education Committee.
In any case, it will be heard tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM in 415 State Capitol.
Call and write the committee members now.
Senator Curtis S. Bramble Cell: (801) 361-5802
Senator Margaret Dayton Home: (801) 221-0623
Senator Brent Goodfellow Cell: (801) 556-4871
Senator Lyle Hillyard Office: (435) 752-2610
Senator Scott Jenkins Office: (801) 621-5412
Senator Howard Stephenson Office: (801) 972-8814
Without sounding too skeptical, I think it is completely obvious. They are taking the argument to the place that it has the best odds of succeeding and – judging by the result of yesterday – it worked for them.
I understand the “tricks” of getting one’s way, but the idealist in me still yearns for the day that our government becomes more about doing the right thing and less about winning and/or personal gain.