Gov. Gary Herbert said the 2018 legislative session was “win, win, win.”
There were winners, but there were also some losers. Here’s a brief list, but this is just scratching the surface.
Winner
EnergySolutions • Lawmakers showed their No. 1 campaign donor some love, approving a $1.7 million break on state fees.
Loser
Highway safety • The Legislature quickly kicked to the curb a proposed ban on driving while using a hand-held cellphone.
Loser
Electric and hybrid vehicle owners • Under a transportation bill, registration fees will increase substantially.
Winner
Public schools • If all the pieces fall into place — including a 10-cent gas tax increase before voters in November — schools could see an estimated $375 million annual funding bump.
Winner
Gun-rights advocates • Despite a push by GOP House Speaker Greg Hughes, lawmakers balked at passing any new gun laws in the wake of the Florida school shooting.
Loser
Salt Lake City • Mayor Jackie Biskupski denounced as an “unacceptable” power grab the Legislature’s creation of a new authority to oversee development of a trade hub in the northwest quadrant.
