Almost enough Senate votes committed to repeal HB477

The working group will meet for the first time this morning. Notably absent from the group is a direct representative of the Salt Lake Tribune, the state's largest newspaper.

"It would be nice to have someone from the Tribune on the board," said Nancy Conway, the Tribune's editor, adding she felt there should be representation for broadcast media and nonprofit groups. "It's not the ideal composition. … I suspect it was a slap at the Trib."

Asked if she felt the paper was snubbed in part for its anti-HB477 editorials, which labeled Herbert a "hack" for his decision not to veto the bill, Conway said, "I suppose so."

"We're accustomed to carrying pretty aggressive coverage of all things governmental," she said. "I understand there's contention sometimes. That kind of goes with the territory."

Conway said she is "very comfortable" being represented by media attorney Jeff Hunt, who will sit on the panel for the Utah Media Coalition.

The group will make recommendations to a legislative interim committee, which will draft new GRAMA legislation in time for another special session, likely in June.

Contributing: Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Spencer Garn and Collin McLachlan

e-mail: pkoepp@desnews.com