Rep. Craig Frank resigns leadership role in conservative caucus

SALT LAKE CITY — One of the founders of House Conservative Caucus has resigned as vice chairman.

In a letter of resignation Wednesday, Rep. Craig Frank, R-Cedar Hills, said he plans to stay a member of the caucus, which was founded in late 2004 to debate conservative issues such as small government and individual liberty.

Frank said it has been an honor to serve since the caucus was founded, but he said others should have the opportunity to serve and urged members of the caucus to reorganize its leadership team.

Frank praised the group's work to cut $500 million in taxes for residents and businesses during the Huntsman administration, when the state budget grew 36 percent in three years.

"I am proud of this accomplishment," he said. "I look forward to my continued membership in this legislative association."

Though he believes the caucus makes significant contributions, Frank told the Deseret News the caucus has spent much of its time acting like a discussion group during the mornings of interim meetings and throughout past legislative sessions.

There's no written structure, no bylaws and no process for filling vacancies, such as that left by former Rep. Aaron Tilton, who has not been a legislator since January 2009. The caucus could take more official positions, Frank said.

Caucus chairman and co-founder Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said the caucus ideally would take more positions, but because it has an open-door policy for anyone espousing conservative principles, it's tough to get that kind of consensus.

Where other caucuses may oppose House leadership, Hughes said, the House Conservative Caucus tries to collaborate with leaders.

Hughes, too, touted the group's stance on reducing spending during Utah's not-too-distant surplus years and its opposition to increasing the tax on tobacco, which ultimately passed.

Hughes managed to talk Frank out of leaving his role as vice chairman twice before, Frank said.

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