2-25-06 | Hatch takes on Utah Legislature

DIRECT VOTE Sen. Orrin Hatch took on state senators Friday during his second visit this year to the Utah Legislature. Draper Republican Rep. Howard Stephenson has sponsored a so-called "soft repeal" of the Constitution's 17th Amendment, which allows direct election of U.S. senators by voters. After talking about federal cuts in Medicaid funding, storing spent nuclear fuel rods on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation and hydrogen cars, Utah's senior senator said Stephenson's bill, although in a watered-down version, is unnecessary."I don't think the 17th Amendment is going to be repealed," Hatch said. "You have to be very careful that you meet the constitutional requisites. The Supreme Court would very zealously and jealously guard the 17th Amendment." Stephenson said his bill has been "blown out of proportion" by the media. SB156 has been amended so it would require Utah's senators to report to the Legislature. Another part of the bill, which would have allowed legislators to pick party candidates, has been amended out.

"This is designed to create a formal process by which the state Legislature can have input with our state senators," Stephenson said. During his report to lawmakers on Thursday, Sen. Bob Bennett joked about the legislation. "If it comes that the 17th Amendment is repealed, I'll be around to see every one of you," he said. But Hatch apparently took the legislation more seriously. "I don't think we need legislation," he said. "I'm happy to do whatever it takes to have a better relationship with legislators. We respect you.”

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