Devastating is the message sent when legislators, who say they are champions of local government and local control and who cry out for fiscal responsibility, go around the decision of a local county official who turns down a stadium because it would be irresponsible to spend money on a deal that does not protect the public's interest. Furthermore, it tells the voters of that entity that local officials' decisions don't matter and neither does their vote. Being a responsible elected official that has the public's interest in mind when making public policy doesn't matter; it's getting re-elected and getting the campaign money that counts.

Unfortunately, it seems there has been talk about lawmakers punishing county voters by taking away tax dollars for not supporting a stadium that financial professionals projected would be a bad deal for the people's money.

While we will survive the tornado surrounding the stadium, the question we must ask ourselves is whether the behavior of these leaders is something we want our children to emulate? Spend now; forget about being responsible with the people's money.

---

Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net