Pot shots and laughter flew as the Utah County Senators and Representatives relaxed with other local officials Saturday morning at the weekly Provo Chamber of Commerce "Eggs and Issues" breakfast.

The breakfast is held to help the senators and representatives stay in touch with their constituents' concerns and receive feedback during their busy legislative session.

"We are attempting to do the people's business in a way that you would like to have it done," said Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, about the breakfast.

Illegal immigration was among the things discussed. The issue was on the minds and agendas of the legislators and officials.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, noted that about 30 percent of incarcerated individuals are illegal immigrants.

"Someone who violates our immigration laws is one thing," said Senator Curtis Bramble, R-Provo. "But then they break our other laws. I don't know how anyone could defend them, I don't have any problem sending them back."

Bramble added that it is the federal government's obligation to secure boarders and so far it has been an "absolute, dismal failure."

"The states can't deal with it," Bramble said. "We can't secure our boarders and have passports. It has to be dealt with at a federal level."

Rep. Chris Herrod, R-Provo, brought a unique perspective to the discussion as Herrod's wife is an legal immigrant.

"When most comments about illegal immigration are made," said Herrod, "it can be very offensive to those who have come through the process legally."

Healthcare was also part of the discussion Saturday.

"The government shouldn't be in [healthcare]," said Lockhart, "but it's the single largest payer for it. The government's in it whether we like it or not and we need to figure out what to do with it."

Rep. Bradley Daw, R-Orem, raised the issue of prescription drug addictions. Daw is currently involved with a bill to keep individuals from getting several prescriptions from different doctors by improving the database used by doctors for controlled substances.

"Essentially we can do better in this technology," said Daw. "It's cumbersome to get into that database and searches are difficult."

Daw said that his bill would mean a record would be immediately created when prescription transactions are made, providing a flexible way for officials and doctors to search the database and to get the medical community a more reasonable way to access the data.

Valentine and Lockhart both addressed an $11 billion budget passed to increase teacher salaries.

"One thing that we need to remember is that this is market," said Valentine. "These teachers are either going to use their teaching skills or they're going to use their math and science skills to set up computer screens."

In response to recent questions in the media concerning the LDS church's involvement and advice to the legislators, Lockhart said, "The church doesn't tell us what to do. They're very clear that this is not their fight."