Written by: Kristine Pratt
ontherecord@abc4.com
He represented the state of Utah for more that 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Now Jim Hansen is out of office, but still very much a part of that world. He goes On the Record to talk about what he's doing now.
Hansen was one of the many members of Utah's political community that signed the Utah Compact. He says that he likes the five suggestions that may give legislators a hint at what Utahn's want.
"I felt comfortable in signing it," Hansen says. "It's something we have to look at."
But looking at the overall immigration debate and what could happen in Utah's legislature, many are looking into and debating the controversial Arizona law. Hansen says that it's actually very similar to the national law. But he says that Arizona's law, and the national law doesn't work for everyone. He says that Utah is going to have to find a solutions that will fit Utah and its people.
We had to ask, with all his experience in Washington politics, what advice would he give to President Barack Obama? Hansen's response? “You’re only the President of the United States, you’re not in the Godhead.”
He says that when President Obama was elected, people wanted a change, not necessarily him, but some sort of change.
“Obama rode in on the biggest honeymoon you’ve ever seen,” Hansen says.
But now that the Republicans are back at the head of the House of Representatives, Hansen says there’s going to be a lot of reversing saying that the republicans are ready to get in there and work on it.
