Listen to Opening Remarks 

I am honored to be here on this historic occasion as we begin the first session in the newly restored capitol. As I have walked through the capitol over the past few weeks I am continually amazed at the foresight of those who served 100 years ago. I am also amazed at the workmanship of those that have participated in this restoration. The capitol is something that everyone in the state should be proud of.

Over the past several weeks I have taken the opportunity to read some of the history regarding the construction of the capitol and the early dealings of our state government. There are interesting lessons to learn by studying the past. One lesson that I have found particularly amusing was Governor Spry’s commenting on how the state board of equalization reduced the state levy during 1913-1914, but the local authorities took advantage of the situation and advanced the tax rate so that the taxpayers received no benefit from the reduction. Sometimes history will repeat itself.

Another interesting story involved both the ninth and tenth legislature. During the 9th legislative session the legislature enacted a law giving the governor the authority to appoint a board of commissioners on revenue and taxation. The commissioners were given a specific charge and asked to report back two years later during the opening of the 10th legislative session. When the commission reported to the legislature they complained that the changes they wanted to make were impossible due to the restrictions of our constitution. Proposed amendments to the constitution had been rejected by a vote of the people. The commission lamented that the amendments were not adopted due to insufficient information as to the purpose and effect of the amendments on the part of the people themselves and also on the part of many of those who assumed lead them and advise them how to vote. Governor Spry’s comments were more direct. He said “Through a campaign of perversion, misrepresentation and self interests…the proposals were lost.” I wonder how the media reported all this.

What I really wanted to do today is share with you some of the legislative lessons that I have learned that pertain to our daily lives. There are a lot of politicians that talk about civility. They use it in their speeches, they profess it in the media, they proclaim it in their campaign literature, and they enlist others to be their henchmen. First lesson, don’t be duplicitous. Your colleagues will recognize your behavior and it will become much more difficult to be successful if you do not have the trust of your colleagues.

It is difficult to tell someone that you may not like their legislation or that you disagree with their heartfelt position, but you will be respected for your candor and honesty if you are honest in all your dealings with your colleagues. But even more importantly, you will feel better about your service in the legislature.

Another important lesson to realize is that the most of the important things in the legislature do not happen in one session. The complexity of the issues, the various individuals involved and the short time frame in which we operate is not conducive to resolving all of the world’s problems each session. Have a plan, be flexible in its implementation and work with patience and diligence towards it culmination. As we have all been taught “patience truly is a virtue.”

A third and valuable lesson is to learn who will influence your actions. There are many who will attempt to persuade you in your decisions. You will be educated, cajoled, persuaded and occasionally threatened in your election by special interests, lobbyists, colleagues, constituents, and partisan media to name just a few. As each one of us serves in the legislature we must decide our own course of action. Some advocates love to point to polls to show us the direction we should go. However, if polls show a contrary result they are quick to dismiss them as uninformed or biased. Just a little bit about the media. If I learned anything from my high school journalism class, I though the media was supposed to be unbiased. However, I have subsequently learned that if the paper prints the writer’s picture in their column they can turn into a partisan media columnist. A fine distinction undoubtedly used to soothe the conscience of professionalism, but overall, I guess a good distinction to know. Decide who you will listen to and how you will make your decisions but I have come to realize that in the most difficult of times if you can honestly look at yourself in the mirror and feel good about your actions then that is the best situation of all.

Having the opportunity to serve in the legislature is something each one of us should cherish. As we return to the grandeur of the capitol, for those who have not yet served here, you will come to feel a reverence for the significance of the process we are fortunate to be involved in. Serve with honor, serve with distinction and you will find solace regardless of the outcome. Thank you.