Governor Herbert, in an attempt to blast Peter Corroon about slinging mud in the campaign, held a press conference yesterday to discuss the allegations that campaign contributions led to favorable business deals for various companies around the state. The press confrence…did not go well. You see, it was revealed that the state paid $13 million [...]
Archive for the ‘Ethics and Corruption’ Category
When does a donation become quid pro quo?
If there is one thing people consistently hate about politics and elections, it is the amount of money that goes into them and the power associated with large campaign contributions. Most people, however, commit a logical fallacy when they state that money automatically equals political favors. They forget that those running for office are generally [...]
Utah’s Image Problem
Utah as an image problem. For far too long, our state has been viewed as a backwater hole where religious fundamentalism and the problems associated with it rule the day. As a native Utahn, I know that this is not the case, and I don’t know how many times I have heard visitors confide in [...]
Proof SB 275 can and will be abused
You may recall me writing about SB 275 a month ago. In summary, the bill allows petition signers to remove their name from a petition up to one month after it has been submitted. At the time I pointed out this law could easily be used by opponents of any particular petition to put pressure [...]
The Balls on Speaker Clark
It took Speaker Dave Clark (R-Santa Clara, District 74) less than three days after the failure of Fair Boundaries to propose a redrawn political map that screams of partisan gerrymandering that would strongly favor Republicans. As many of you may know, Utah could have received another congressional district during the last round of redistricting if [...]
Bills to Watch: SB 275 – Removing Signature From Initiative and Referendum Petition, H. Stephenson
Do you want proof that the legislature hates to be challenged? Want proof that the powers that be don’t like to hear the people speak up? Wonder if they like to throw their weight around and get upset when they don’t get their way? Well I would like to direct you to SB 275 – [...]
Bills to Watch: HJR 15 – Joint Resolution on Legislative Ethics Commission, D. Clark
There has been much hullabaloo concerning ethics reform in this legislative session. Indeed, it is quite obvious that the Utahns for Ethical Government have gotten under the skin of many-a-legislator. In an attempt to quell some of this, none other than the Speaker of the House, Representative Dave Clark (R – Santa Clara – District [...]
Bill to Watch: HB 247 – Lobbyist Restriction Modifications, C. Moss
I always find ethics reform on the hill a rather fascinating exercise and I liken it to a wheel spinning in the mud – sure, there is a lot of noise and movement but, ultimately, nothing gets done. What makes this year interesting is that Republicans have vowed to put ethics reform on the agenda [...]
Bills to Watch: HB 56 – Amended Campaign Financial Statements, S. Allen
I have worked on many campaigns in my life, and I can tell you that one of the most stressful things you can do is file your financial reports to the state. Stressful, not so much because you have done anything dishonest, but stressful because a good campaigner wants to be honest with the citizens [...]
Salt Lake Trib – Redistricting initiative group hires executive director
(link) Fair Boundaries » Petition drive group taps Curtis Haring, leader of the Young Democrats of Utah. By Cathy McKitrick The group pushing an initiative to create an independent advisory commission for redrawing boundaries for Utah’s congressional and state legislative districts has hired an executive director. Since organizing in April, Fair Boundaries has functioned on [...]