Utah Legislature: Senate passes petition name removal bill

SALT LAKE CITY — A controversial bill that would make it easier for residents to remove their names from a petition got a final green light from the Senate Wednesday.

The Senate passed SB275 (le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0275S02.htm) on a party-line vote but without the partisan debate that marked Tuesday's initial vote.

Opponents argue the measure will allow the Utah Republican Party to target ethics initiatives now being presented across the state.

On Tuesday, Senate Republicans said the reforms are necessary now because ethics initiative organizers are using deceptive tactics to trick voters into signing the petitions, while Democrats accused the bill's supporters of insulting the intelligence of Utah voters.

The bill will now be considered by the House.

— Josh Smith