Prior to Sheldon Killpack’s resignation (see related story) the Clipper had interviewed him about what to expect from the 2010 Utah Legislature. Although Killpack will no longer be part of the process, the key challenges he identified will still need to be addressed by Utah lawmakers. Following is his synopsis:

• The number one issue for the second year in a row will be the budget. Utah is still dealing with a significant shortfall, which means there are going to be cuts. While some legislators will be amenable to cuts of more than 5 percent, others won’t, so it’s premature to say what those cuts will turn out to be.

• The Utah retirement system is not currently sustainable and is suffering great shortfalls.

The Legislature will seek to honor current commitments to those in the system but must design a system that is fiscally responsible for the future.

• A tax increase is not likely to happen. The mood in the Legislature is that it’s not appropriate to pile more burdens on the public. There is a great amount of disgust at the federal level of spending, and people are desperate to see responsible actions.

• National health care reform is such a complex system that it would be irresponsible to make an overall change in a hurry, which could do more harm than good. It’s good that the government recognizes this as an issue, but shifting who pays for it does not curb costs.

• The Utah health care interim committee sees health reform as a long process. There should be three or four pieces of legislation passed in the coming session.

• Ethics reform is another hot-button issue. Key legislation is expected to be passed, but the struggle is to find a balance that will safeguard the public without making it impossible for legislators to do their jobs. Fundamentally, regulation does not define individual ethics, core values determine ethical behavior.