Governor defends decision to drop legislative ethics from commission

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on Thursday defended his decision to drop legislative ethics and redistricting from his Commission on Strengthening Utah's Democracy.

"You've got to involve the Legislature. They've got to be invested in the process, as well. I think we have to recognize the steps they've taken," Huntsman said during the taping of his monthly press conference on KUED Ch. 7.

The governor said not only did lawmakers pass ethics legislation during the 2009 session, they have also agreed to continue studying the issue during the interim.

"In total, I think we're making pretty good progress," Huntsman said. "This is unprecedented on ethics generally, and I think that's a whole lot better than nothing at all."

While House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, has said he asked the governor to tell his recently created commission to stop pursing the issues, Huntsman denied he had acquiesced.

"I did not bow to legislative pressure," he said of the decision made public last week. "In the spirit of bringing everybody together moving toward a compromise, you've got to make sure everybody plays their respective role," he said, noting the Legislature has jurisdiction over the two issues. Ignoring that, the governor said, "is a surefire way for them to basically say, 'Thank you, but no thanks.' "

He said he originally asked the commission to look at legislative ethics and redistricting to help build confidence among voters. The commission continues to look at campaign finance, lobbyist regulations and the elections process.

A group calling itself the "Fair Boundaries Coalition" has said it will launch an initiative petition drive to set up an independent commission to redraw legislative boundaries after the 2010 census.

The governor also addressed the controversy surrounding the implementation of an immigration bill, SB81. He said he still anticipates the federal government will take action soon on immigration.

"What to me is important is getting beyond any sense that people are being targeted based on ethnicity," Huntsman said. He said he has told representatives of various immigrant communities that if that occurs, "I want to hear about it."

The governor said he believes "there is merit" to what Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank has said about a portion of the bill driving a wedge between officers and the community. That portion allows for police to be cross-deputized to serve as immigration officials.

"It becomes a very difficult thing to do," Huntsman said, citing the financial cost. He said he's already heard similar concerns from the Utah Highway Patrol about that provision of the bill.

It's up to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, the governor said, to explain how that provision should be enforced. "My own sense is we need to defer as long as we can on many of these calls until such time as legislation is passed federally," Huntsman said. "I think something is going to get done."

After the taping, Huntsman said he expects to call a special session of the Legislature on May interim day. Although he's being asked to add items to the agenda, the governor said he's likely to stick only to "a technical-fix special session."

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