Utah Valley State College got a new name, public education got a huge boost in funding and everyone got a tax cut during this year's session of the Utah Legislature, which wrapped up Wednesday night.

There were also protracted fights over abortion legislation and new rules for extracurricular school clubs, and Utah joined the ranks of states that provide publicly funded vouchers for students to attend private school.

The funding for that program was part of a record $500 million-plus allocation of new money for public and higher education, an infusion made possible by a strong state economy and tax revenues that accumulated into a $1.6 billion surplus.

It was "probably the most orderly and managed Legislature that I've seen in seven years," said Rep. Steve Clark, R-Provo. "It was less adversarial in nature than previous years.

"Maybe that was because we had a lot of money to give away, and when you're giving money away you tend to be in the Christmas Spirit."

UVSC will be known as Utah Valley University effective July 1, 2008. Lawmakers added $8 million to the school's annual state funding to help with the costs of expanding its offerings, which will include graduate studies.

Other education measures include a $2,500 raise for teachers, an increase in the weighted pupil unit, a $1,000 per teacher bonus and funding for school buildings, computers and classroom supplies.

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, told his colleagues that raises for teachers as well as other state employees, and the tax cuts, should be considered investments in the state's people.

"I think you can walk out of this session feeling that you have made a difference and have invested wisely," he said.

Legislators used a combination of adjustments to the income, sales and other taxes to enact just under $220 million worth of tax cuts.

The package of tax cuts gained final approval Wednesday afternoon. The House of Representatives approved it unanimously, and the Senate passed it 26-0.

"I think we've got overwhelming support for the bill," said Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy.

The bill lowers the income tax rate to 5 percent and replaces the calculation of deductions and exemptions with a streamlined credit computation. It also sets a uniform statewide rate -- 3 percent -- on food sales taxes and lowers the state general sales tax to 4.65 percent.

"The budget process this year was one that really focused on long-term programs and long-term decisions," said Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem. "When you have lots of money, you have to make good long-term policy decisions. In a year of shortage, you just do the best you can to survive and make some cuts."

The Legislature also wrapped up two years of debate over regulating school clubs, a debate sparked by the existence of chapters of the Gay Straight Alliance at Utah's public schools.

The seventh version of the school clubs bill cleared both chambers. It will require student clubs to go through a detailed application process, including a statement of purpose and a budget, and parental consent is required for participation.

The budget largesse also included health funding, including:

$19.6 million for Medicaid and foster care health care

$1 million for disabled people waiting for state services

$4 million for the Children's Health Insurance Program, which can enroll more children.

Immigration measures caused a flap, and two gained traction.

First substitute HB105 by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, would allow state and local law enforcement officers to take on the functions of federal immigration officers. Though vehemently opposed by Utah's law enforcement community, House members approved it 43-30 and it was on the list of bills to be considered by the Senate Wednesday night.

Another Donnelson bill, HB224, attempted to repeal the ability of some illegal residents to receive in-state tuition at Utah's colleges and universities. It was defeated on a tie vote on the House floor, and was denied reconsideration on a close vote.

A comprehensive anti-illigal immigrant bill -- 2SHB437 by Rep. Chris Herrod, R-Provo -- would've stripped adult aliens of all state-provided benefits except the ones required by federal law.

Herrod says that the legislation is not about reviving the dead tuition bill. He says that this bill is about fixing problems with immigration. "I'm a firm beliver that immigrants add a lot to America," said Herrod, whose wife is an immigrant.

It remained pending in the House Wednesday night. Other work on legislation continued until midnight. The last-minute action included:

1SHB104: It was nicknamed the Texas Hold 'Em bill at first, but supporters and sponsor Rep. Steve Sandstrom, R-Orem, said it was necessary to ensure Utah's gambling ban stays intact.

It prohibits "risking something of value" in a game in which the outcome depends on chance. That would include, for example, a required cover charge to join a card game at a bar.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said strengthening Utah's gambling ban is a key step in keeping casinos off of the state's tribal reservations.

"This is a big deal," Buttars said. "We need to support it."

The Senate did, 21-6, sending it on to governor's office.

2SHB358: The House and Senate agreed on a version that directs the state Department of Health to start a public information campaign about the causes, risks and prevention of cervical cancer.

The bill originally included a immunization program agains the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexual transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer. That was stripped out; the campaign will now emphasize that "abstinence before and fidelity after marriage" as a preventative measure and will include a list of side effects of vaccines against HPV.