The open-space time crunch
Blame a sloppily written state law defining the initiative process.
The Utah Supreme Court ruled last week that county clerks in Utah and Cache counties were wrong when they decided several signatures on the open-space petition were invalid because the addresses provided for those names did not match the addresses of those names on the rolls of registered voters. The court said people could easily have moved since the last election, and that county clerks could not set their own rules on such matters. Simply put, it wouldn't be fair for registered voters in one county to be held to different standards than those of another county.
But the court also suggested state lawmakers make the rules a little clearer.
Good idea.
We are sympathetic with lawmakers who wanted to make Utah's initiative process into something that takes real effort and dedication. A referendum is the people's last hope for enacting popular legislation that elected representatives, for whatever reason, refuse to pass. It is a last resort and yet in some other states it has become almost a primary form of law-making.
The representative process comes complete with a host of built-in pressures that take the edge off extremist proposals. There are hearings with the public. There are politicians of opposing philosophies who temper legislation with amendments and counter-proposals. Finally, there is a public vote by the body of one house, followed by a similar process in the other body and consideration by the governor.
On the other hand, successful initiatives sail onto the ballot as initially written and then are voted up or down with no amendments. This process is too easily hijacked by special-interest groups.
But lawmakers shouldn't make the process completely prohibitive. In this case, they seemed to have given little thought to defining important procedures.
The open-space initiative qualifies as a last-resort measure that has popular support but almost no chance of passing the normal legislative process. It would raise $150 million through a 0.05 percent sales tax increase to preserve open spaces statewide.
Anyone looking to justify this initiative need look no further than the latest census figures, which show that about 10 percent of northern Utah's farmland has been lost to development over the past five years.
The tragedy is not that land is being developed. It is that amid the growth no one is setting aside large tracts of land for parks and recreation areas, the kinds of amenities that add to the quality of life. Once all the land is gone, the chance to preserve these spaces will be gone.
Too bad there isn't much time left to make the case.
Comments
- 'Smart Home' block party in Provo 8:37 p.m.
- Death near Rockville suspicious 7:46 p.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 7:46 p.m.
- Family Fun Day kick off Days of '47 7:42 p.m.
- Blazers offer Millsap 4-year deal 7:25 p.m.
- 'Drop Dead Diva' is frothy fun 6:14 p.m.
- Bishop on a mission 6:14 p.m.
- Vail's mountain cross inspiring 6:14 p.m.
- Look for face of God in others 6:14 p.m.
- Teachings on adultery after Sanford 6:14 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Blazers offer Millsap 4-year deal
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Letters: Palin mistreated
141 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
138 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - LDS seminary principal arrested
127 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
92 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
Creepy. Very creepy that so many are eager to use the coercive power of...
KOC I hope you realize that you are getting worked right now. You just got...
Rush Junior | 6:00 p.m. When are you going to learn that it doesn't even...
I could be wrong on this, but I think they generally withhold names in sex...
that so many people take this as an opportunity to slander any faith!!!! what...
Why is the Holladay Council wanting to put a "gun " to their head? What kind...
Contrary to what a few people have mentioned here, if the Jazz don't match...
All you Jazz fans are clueless! When this deal is final, there will be no 3...
I heard that Elvis was scheduled for baptism just before he died.
McKay wrote: "But I worry about the few among us who base their testimonies...



You can be the first to comment on this story.