Citizens groups push ethics reform

Two groups working on citizens' initiatives aiming to raise the level of accountability at the Utah Legislature may combine forces, a spokeswoman for one of the groups said Monday.

Redrawing voting districts and administering an ethics code — both currently under the exclusive purview of legislators — would be overseen by new, independent commissions under a new proposal by the Fair Boundaries coalition and Utahns for Ethical Government.

Fair Boundaries began gathering signatures a few weeks ago, while UEG awaits a state fiscal estimate and the completion of a series of public meetings before they go to voters with their petitions. Mary Bishop, a spokeswoman for Fair Boundaries, said they will combine efforts when the other group begins gathering signatures.

"It's been discussed and it makes sense," Bishop said. "Both issues appeal to those who want transparency and accountability from their state government."

It could, however, be weeks before the two efforts have a chance to merge.

Kim Burningham from UEG said Monday that the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the agency tasked with putting a price tag on citizens' initiatives, started reviewing UEG's proposal Aug. 13 and, by law, has 25 working days to complete the review. Burningham said his group likely would not be able to begin holding public meetings (seven are required across the state) until after Labor Day. As soon as the meetings are completed, the signature gathering can begin.

Both groups will need to get about 95,000 signatures from registered Utah voters to put their proposals on the ballot in 2010.

e-mail: araymond@desnews.com