Media Center
Consequence of cuts
Salt Lake Tribune, 09/03/2010
Even if Utah accepts federal money, schools may only see half of it
Deseret News, 09/03/2010
Attorneys say Utah can’t block $101M in school aid
Salt Lake Tribune, 09/02/2010
Utah will get new school testing system
Salt Lake Tribune, 09/02/2010
Tough course
Salt Lake Tribune, 08/31/2010
FAST FACT:
More public schools (85%) than private schools (34%) offer AP classes through which high school students can earn college credit.
Ethics reform
November 09, 2009
Tribune Editorial, Salt Lake Tribune
The moment of decision has arrived for the Utah Legislature. Lawmakers can pass epic ethics reform in their 2010 session, or risk that the public will do it for them in the 2010 general election.
Utahns for Ethical Government is trying to force the Legislature's hand at the ballot box. If its petition drive is successful, an initiative to adopt a strict legislative code of conduct and form an independent ethics commission to enforce the code will appear on the ballot next November. And public opinion polls indicate, and common sense dictates, that the electorate will not vote against ethical government.
The ballot initiative represents the Holy Grail for those who seek responsive, ethical governance by leaders who answer to voters, not special interests. Read the proposal, which calls for caps on campaign contributions, a prohibition on contributions by corporations and special interest groups, a ban on lobbyist gift-giving, an independent ethics commission and other substantive reforms, at utahnsforethicalgovernment.org.
But rather than embrace the clamor for change, some lawmakers are trying to stop the initiative in its tracks. Both major political parties have expressed reservations.
Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, claims the initiative is an attempt by organizers to "punish" legislators. Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, says he would resign before potentially exposing his law firm to an ethics commission subpoena. Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, tries to nitpick the proposal to death.
But the biggest hurdle faced by initiative supporters is the state's onerous requirements for placing an initiative on the ballot. Organizers need to gather enough signatures in 26 of 29 state Senate districts to equal 10 percent of the votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election in each district, and 95,000 signatures overall.
Lawmakers also argue that they've been making steady progress on ethics reform, but the changes have been mostly cosmetic. Utah remains one of just 10 states without an independent ethics commission, and one of just six with no limits on campaign contributions.
But now a perfect storm for reform is gathering. The Governor's Commission for Strengthening Utah's Democracy is calling for caps on campaign contributions. The UEG is gathering signatures statewide. And, according to recent public opinion polls, three-quarters of voters favor a gift ban, campaign caps and an independent ethics commission.
The best way for lawmakers to beat 'em is to join 'em, and adopt the recommended reforms before voters force their hand.