Ethics-initiative backers expect pushback from legislators

Two groups trying to put statewide initiatives on the 2010 ballot are gearing up to face a common opponent — the Utah Legislature.

The proposed ballot initiatives would change the way the Legislature does business. Pushback from legislators could drive up costs for both the Fair Boundaries coalition that wants voters to approve an independent commission to redraw legislative districts and Utahns for Ethical Government, which is seeking far-ranging ethics reform for lawmakers.

Financial officers from both groups are estimating the price of the actual process — gathering signatures, printing forms, performing required accounting and running temporary offices — is likely to come in around $100,000. That figure, however, could rise dramatically for either or both groups if a funded opposition effort is mounted against them.

Rob Skraznas, director of fundraising for the redistricting group Fair Boundaries, said while the group is not necessarily anticipating a significant campaign against its initiative, it is making financial plans to address the issue, and members think they know where resistance would come from.

"We realize that the powers that be, primarily the state Legislature, may not be willing to cede redistricting power," Skraznas said. "We have tentatively budgeted about $1 million … to deal with a worst-case scenario."

Skraznas said while his group looked at the epic battle waged in the state over educational vouchers in 2007 — one in which groups on each side of the issue spent millions — he doubted anything on that scale was in store for redistricting reform.

Rob Ence, financial director for Utahns For Ethical Government, also identified state lawmakers as the most likely to oppose creating an independent board to recommend action on issues of misconduct by lawmakers.

"The real core opposition is going to come from the Legislature," Ence said. "How they choose to marshal resistance … and fund it, remains to be seen."

While Ence, like Skraznas, does not believe a repeat of the voucher fight is in store for either group, he said a funded opposition to the ethics initiative could drive their costs up "hundreds of thousands of dollars."

State GOP Chairman Dave Hansen said Tuesday that both initiatives have problems and that resistance to them would come "not just from legislators but many groups." Hansen said no decision has been made by the state party as to what, if any, action may be taken on the two initiative efforts.