Utah State Legislature Internship Newsletter

WINTER 2010 JANUARY - APRIL INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

The Internship: 1 An Overview

BYU Interns to 2 the Rescue!

Spotlights 3

Highlights from 6 the 2010 Utah State Legislative Session

In Memory of 8 Professor Gary Bryner

The Utah Legislative Internship is unique even among state legislative The Internship: An Overview internships that are available in most states. This is because the Dr. Robert Goss Students who are political science Utah Legislature is a citizen Utah State Legislature interns majors have a keen interest in legislature, and the student interns totaled 27 students from BYU for seeking this paid internship in the become staff to the elected the January 25 through March 11, Utah State Capitol. But qualified officials, working closely with them 2010 General Session. Most students of all majors may apply in constituent services, moving students called Utah home and and have over the years. Students legislation through the committee consequently had a particular during winter 2010 were majoring and chamber processes, and in interest in serving in their own in Arabic, business, English dealing with the executive branch state legislature, but those from teaching, finance, international agencies, all kinds of interest other states are welcomed by relations, Middle East studies, groups, and with local and federal Utah state legislators as well. BYU philosophy, and political science. officials. In other state legislative students hailed from Arizona, Minors included business, Chinese, internships outside of Utah, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, English, French, geography, student interns would be working Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, Japanese, philosophy, psychology, for other staff members and not Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah. and sociology. Fourteen students directly for the elected officials. were seniors, and thirteen were juniors. P A G E 2 BYU Interns to the Rescue!

Utah State Legislature interns exemplify university core values

With the economic scramble began to locate “It was my pleasure to have asked for her work to downturn and reduced students who met the work with [my legislative be improved.” funding available, the BYU internship requirements intern]… who performed I found [my intern‟s] intern slots for the 2010 and were able to make a every assignment with greatest strengths to be his Utah legislative session sudden change in their energy and organizational skills, work were cut from 25 to 22. winter semester plans. professionalism.” ethic and focus… He also Those slots were filled well When the “If you can “I greatly enjoyed showed exceptional before the application orientation began working with [my leadership skills in deadline date with several at the State duplicate [my intern] in this recruiting other interns to students on the alternate Capitol the capacity; he was help accomplish some list. At the end of the first following Monday intern] for truly an asset to my critical projects for me… If week of winter semester, morning, 27 BYU next year, I efforts… Also, for you can duplicate him for the legislative intern interns stepped me he has become next year, I would prefer a coordinator, Jerry Howe, up to receive would prefer a “To catch the reader's attention, place an a good friend.” BYU intern.” interestingcalled sentence because or quote from otherthe story their assignments. here.” BYU intern” universities had failed to fill “Writing and “[My intern] took every The legislators‟ their assigned slots. Could efficiency were [my opportunity to learn. I evaluations of their interns BYU possibly come up with intern‟s] greatest work- know when she was not at the end of the session 5 more qualified interns in a related strengths. She doing something specifically indicate that BYU students matter of 3 days? “No completed every task I gave for me or the other are consistently prepared problem,” responded Adam her very quickly and representative that she was and give exceptional Brown, the USL faculty thoroughly… I cannot think in the gallery listening to performance: advisor. And then the of an area where I could the debate. I believe she was fully engaged.” “[My intern] was very professional. He was always cordial and kind with those we met… Several other legislators took special note of how great he was and noticed his „will-do‟ attitude.” Thank you, interns, for representing BYU well by demonstrating the university‟s core values.

The USL interns of 2010 with Governor Gary R. Herbert

UTAH STATE LEGISLATU R E WINTER 2010 P A G E 3 SPOTLIGHTS

2010 Interns: Katrina Smith Cammack: Closer interactions, deeper involvement BJ Wirig: Unexpected involvement in policy processes

Former Interns: Daniel Woods: Sticking to your guns; advocacy and the gospel Amelia Roper: Kick-starting a great political career Ben Bitter: Preparation for an Arizona municipality Daniel Woodruff: A permanent and positive view of the public sector

BJ Wirig, 2010

My time in the Utah Attorney General's office, legislature was life-changing. the Utah Department of Going in, I never expected Public Safety, and the Utah that an intern could have as crime lab. We also worked much influence in closely with Ed Smart, the policy process “The Elizabeth Smart's Senator Stuart Adams, his wife Susan, and intern BJ Wirig as I was able to father, and other government In years past, legislators critics to make the law have. legislators, especially have tried but failed to pass pass, again by a large closest to the Representative One memorable this sort of law in Utah. majority. Wilcox, the bill's project was my people has the floor sponsor. Senator Adams and I Although my interest in work with worked together with the national politics led me to most Senator Adams to S.B. 277 was bill's critics to negotiate political science, my pass S.B. 277, influence.” modeled on "Katie's changes to their proposed legislative internship shifted which establishes law," a law passed in law that would help it pass. my sights: The government a database of criminals' New Mexico in 2006. As a result, S.B. 277 passed closest to the people has DNA to assist law Utah's passage of S.B. 277 the Senate with only one the most influence. I enforcement. As Senator makes it the 22nd state to objection. As it moved to learned so much in a month Adams and I developed the collect DNA samples from the House, I once again and a half that cannot be bill, we met with violent felons at the time of found myself working with learned in class. representatives from the booking. P A G E 4 Katrina Smith Cammack, 2010

As I progressed through the leader had different views political science major, I concerning future plans for planned to eventually do an WSU. The majority leader internship in Washington DC. advised me as to what he When application time came, wanted to see changed then he “There's a lot however, I applied instead for delegated to me the task of more to politics the Utah legislative internship. I staying in touch with other had heard that legislative players about his concerns. than what you interns have much closer Working directly with the learn from a interactions with policy makers president of WSU, I worked to and deeper involvement in the persuade other legislators to textbook—it‟s policy process in the Utah State take the majority leader's side. one thing to Legislature internship than is After having taken an active read about it usually available in Washington role in building a coalition and issues. One major issue dealt DC internships. passing legislation, I know that and another to with academic programs at I was not disappointed. While there's a lot more to politics Weber State University. The see it.” working as the House majority than what you learn from a state Board of Education, the leader's only staffer, I worked textbook—it‟s one thing to president of Weber State, the personally with the read about it and another to governor, and the majority Representative on several see it.

Daniel Woods, 2006

I remember people who their places when they required, but civility is a key stuck to their guns. The acted unsoundly and with- component of effective committee meetings were out appropriate decorum. advocacy and proper hu- the battle grounds. The leg- These legislators—senators man relations within the islators sat in their chairs. and representatives—are perspective of the gospel of They had their name plates people of personality, Jesus Christ. I believe that on the desks before them. strength and opinion. They the most effective lawyers, They had their constituents have paid a price to get and for that matter, watching. They had inter- where they are. They professionals in general, ested people from the pub- command respect and they achieve excellence in their lic around them in the have backbone. Watching professions while still room, but they didn't move this and sitting in these maintaining high standards from their positions. They committee rooms— of professionalism and were firm. On more than observing these people of civility. As a participant of one occasion, I either strength—has created in the BYU Utah State watched firsthand or heard me a desire to be like them: Legislature internship from another intern of strong, immovable in my program, I watched, legislators putting visiting position. In the practice of firsthand, people who tried members of the public in law, zealous advocacy is to do both.

UTAH STATE LEGISLATU R E WINTER 2010 P A G E 5 Ben Bitter, 2006

Working in the Utah State ment experience prior to their intergovernmental rela- Legislature has proven to be a employment with the city. tionships that are in- priceless and unique experience Furthermore, my work in Utah volved in my day-to-day for my professional has given me an understanding municipal employment. I development. The real-world of the workings of state am very comfortable, in writing and research skills that I government. As I now work for my current employment, developed and refined while an Arizona municipality, my ex- working with other local working at the capitol have periences working at the Utah agencies and the various been invaluable in my current Legislature continuously help state and federal line of work. The experiences I me to frame the laws and poli- agencies, due to my background had at the Legislature—such as cies that come to us (from the and experiences in Salt Lake. I bill negotiation, policy creation, Arizona Legislature) in the continue to rely on the and critical thinking—are now proper perspective. Perhaps network of associates that I indispensable tools in my work most importantly, though, my developed while in the belt that truly make me a more experience in the Utah Legislature and hope that these qualified employee than others Legislature has prepared me for relationships continue to prove who had little or no govern- the vast amount of valuable in the years to come.

Amelia Roper, 2008

My internship is the reason campaigns for the 2008 session I worked for a that I have a great political election cycle. I am still lobbyist, for whom I am career here in Utah. During currently in charge of the currently a contract my internship I developed Party‟s voter vault employee. I “My internship great relationships with the and list recently began members of the Utah management. I then is the reason fundraising for Senate and their staff worked for another another client. that I have a members. I have since had state senator for My internship many job offers with the 2009 legislative great political started my different senators, session. After the career for me; I career in Utah” campaigns, political parties 2009 session, I was was lucky and lobbyists. After my an executive administrator, enough to be placed with internship, I ran the Utah in charge of fundraising for two great senators who Republican Party‟s entire a different state senator. allowed me to meet many database and covered 24 During the 2010 legislative different people. P A G E 6 Daniel Woodruff, 2007

policy. The representatives for my broadcast journalism career, whom I interned helped me I have repeatedly drawn upon grow by providing me with knowledge about the legislative meaningful and substantive process for my news work assignments and other stories. Having seen the opportunities to learn about legislature from the side of the legislative process. I felt that policymakers, I am now better my work mattered and helped able to understand it from the The Utah State Legislature them be more effective in their side of a broadcast journalist. internship was one of the most duties. rewarding and educational ex- My interests are wide and my periences of my undergraduate I am currently working as a TV career goals are still being college experience. Seeing first- news reporter in Indiana. formed, but the experience I hand how and why legislation is Before this, I was very involved received at the Utah State created and passed provided in broadcast journalism through Legislature has permanently and me with an unparalleled BYU's award-winning daily positively impacted my view of opportunity to understand newscast as well as through the world and of the public politics, government, and public professional internships. During sector.

2010 Utah State Legislative Session

Examining some of the dominant issues

Professor Adam Brown, receive major treatment in of these bills was Senator proposals to opt Utah out faculty advisor, Utah State 2010, the session was Margaret Dayton's (R- of federal health care Legislature internships unexpectedly dominated by Orem) S.B. 51, which ex- reforms and efforts to limit states' rights issues. empts guns manufactured In the weeks prior to the the activities of federal law Legislators from the newly- and sold entirely within 2010 legislation session, enforcement officers within formed Patrick Henry Utah from federal Utah's political observers Utah. Caucus introduced several regulation. Equally contro- expected this year's session Critics argued that these bills intended to reassert versial was Rep. Chris to be dominated by two bills would lead to costly Utah's 10th Amendment Herrod's (R-Provo) H.B. major issues: Ethics reform legal battles with the rights and seize power 143, which authorizes Utah and budget problems, top- federal government. In light from the federal to use eminent domain au- ics that had also driven the of Utah's difficult budget government. thority to take control of 2009 session. Although situation, Governor federal lands. Among other these two policy areas did Perhaps the most discussed states' rights bills were (Continued on next page)

UTAH STATE LEGISLATU R E WINTER 2010 P A G E 7

Herbert was sympathetic legislators rejected the to these concerns and con- Commission's recommen- sidered using his veto dation to establish cam- power to kill these bills. paign contribution limits for Eventually, however, he state races; Utah remains signed as many states' rights one of only five states with bills as came to his desk. no contribution limits. Time will tell whether With tough economic these bills withstand court times, the budget continued scrutiny; either way, 2010 to occupy the legislature's will be remembered as the attention. In 2009, the legis- "states' rights session." lature cut vast amounts of In addition, ethics reforms ongoing spending from continued to occupy the Utah's budget. Many of legislature's attention. those cuts were backfilled Utahns for Ethical with one-time stimulus Government (UEG) has money. In early 2010, de- been gathering signatures clining revenues forced still for a strict ethics initiative. deeper cuts. Legislators Hoping to preempt the limited those cuts by dip- UEG initiative, the legisla- ping slightly into the state's ture pursued an ambitious Rainy Day Fund and also by ethics reform package. The enacting a $1-per-pack legislature passed a increase in the constitutional “2010 Will be tobacco tax. sexual orientation. The dered whether the legisla- amendment creat- recognized as In 2010, states' Church of Jesus Christ of ture would follow the ing a new inde- rights, ethics, and Latter-day Saints sent its Church's direction and ex- pendent ethics the „states‟ budget cuts domi- official spokesperson to the tend these rights statewide. commission; vot- nated the legisla- Salt Lake City Council Instead, legislators split into ers must ratify rights‟ session” tive agenda. Of meeting to deliver a two groups. One group this amendment in course, there were many resounding endorsement of sought to extend these November for it to take other diverse bills that the ordinance: "In drafting rights statewide, but the effect. Legislators also re- passed and many that did this ordinance, the city has other sought to reverse vised laws concerning finan- not. Perhaps most notable granted common-sense Salt Lake City's actions by cial disclosure, lobbyist among those that did not rights that should be avail- passing a law declaring that gifts, and personal use of pass were bills dealing with able to everyone, while local governments may not campaign funds. Many of gay rights. A few months safeguarding the crucial grant civil rights beyond these proposals grew out before the 2010 session, rights of religious what the state grants. In of former Governor Salt Lake City passed ordi- organizations." With 80 the end, nothing happened. Huntsman's Commission nances prohibiting discrimi- percent of legislators These two groups agreed on Strengthening nation in employment and professing LDS member- to a one-year moratorium Democracy. However, housing on the basis of ship, many Utahans won- on all gay rights legislation. In Memory of Gary Bryner

David Magleby, Dean, College analytic skills. My office was teaching a full load he of Family, Home, and Social next to his for several years, completed a law degree at Sciences and I frequently observed the BYU Law School. He him meeting one-on-one then used this additional Faculty members are an with students. Whether the advanced training in his integral part of a university, classroom was on campus, teaching and research. He and BYU is no exception to in Washington, D.C. on the authored or edited fifteen this generalization. I have Washington Seminar, books, scores of articles and been thinking a lot lately preparing students for the book chapters, and many about the contributions of Utah Legislative internship, academic papers. Often his faculty because of the or in a village in Northern coauthors were BYU recent death of my friend Mexico on an international students. and colleague, Gary Bryner. colleague by substituting in a development project, the Professor Bryner passed As a student of public class when needed or to students benefitted from away on March 10, 2010, at policy, Professor Bryner edit a draft chapter or Professor Bryner‟s concern age 58. Gary and his wife emphasized the reality that manuscript. His example of for them and his desire to Jane courageously faced the individuals can make a kindness and gentleness left see them grow. challenge of pancreatic difference. He practiced a positive impression with cancer. Professor Bryner was also a what he preached on a many outside BYU. He will committed scholar. He range of issues and in his Professor Bryner was a be greatly missed. remained current in his service on the boards of the dedicated teacher. He Faculty members are an specializations and pushed Inter-American Foundation cared about students and integral part of a university, himself to acquire new and the Mali Rising wanted them to develop and Gary Bryner made BYU knowledge. A Ph.D. was Foundation. He was always critical thinking, writing and a better place. not enough for him. While one to volunteer to help a

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