What would the Gipper say about HB477?

"Trust but verify," that's what Ronald Reagan taught us. However, with our current state elected leaders, it's verify first and then trust.

The latest antics by Utah state politicians show the blatant disrespect they have for our political process and the public's intelligence. Our governor and legislators keep calling for transparency in government but shamelessly exclude themselves from the same standard, by passing HB477 that would limit public access to government records. To add insult to injury, the bill surfaced toward the end of the session and without public involvement. It was only when there was a large public outcry that legislators hurriedly tried a cover-up of their action with an amendment to "delay implementation." Rather than vetoing the admittedly faulty bill, the governor immediately signed it in what appeared to be a way to diffuse the mounting public outcry. He said the delay would allow us to, "Have an open public process…. Our goal is open and transparent government." What about an accountable government; one you can trust?

Politicians seem obsessed in their concern for transparency in government by requiring state agencies to show where they spend tax dollars — down to the pencil and paper. For the last three years, Sen. Wayne Niederhauser has led the charge in establishing transparency in government, while excluding legislators from that mandate. In another instance, Sen. Greg Hughes, who also chairs the UTA board, blocked the introduction of a bill that would require disclosure of any conflict of interest by board members. The idea that no one is above the law and that public officials should be held to a higher standard, as stated by our governor, rings hollow.

This latest charade shows the arrogance and the misuse of power that can happen when one party controls a government. Some of the legislators have behaved as children in a candy store without supervision, "I'll take one of these and one of those," in introducing legislation. Some introduce bills for which they don't know if there is a need, or at times don't have an understanding of its contents, and have to seek others to answer questions about the legislation.

Our state elected officials keep trying to insulate themselves from public scrutiny and stonewall any attempt that would return integrity in our state government. They fought against the people's referendum to have a more open government and limit campaign spending that would return trust and integrity to our government. Lawmakers' distrust of the public and the media says more about themselves. Transparency without accountability and consequences is meaningless. What do lawmakers have to hide when doing the public's business? How will policymakers be held accountable, and who will do it?