Meetings set for ethics initiative

The group working to put the idea of an independent legislative ethics committee before voters in 2010 has scheduled a series of public meetings.

Utahns for Ethical Government just received its fiscal review of the initiative by the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and is now required to hold seven regional meetings across the state before starting to collect signatures from voters. The proposal would create an independent advisory commission to establish a new code of conduct for legislators and restructure how ethics violations are administered.

After completing the public meetings, the group will have until April 15 to gather about 95,000 to get the proposal on the ballot in 2010.

Meetings are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, September 16, 7-9 p.m.

Uintah Basin Region (Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties)

Uintah Basin Applied Technology Center, multipurpose room

450 N. 2000 West, Vernal

Thursday, September 17, 7-9 p.m.

Southeast Region (Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties)

Grand County Council Chambers

125 E. Center St., Moab

Monday, September 21, 6-8 p.m.

Central Region (Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne counties)

Sevier Valley Center, theatre

800 W. 200 South, Richfield

Tuesday, September 22, 7-9 p.m.

Wasatch Front Region (Davis, Morgan, Salt, Tooele, and Weber counties)

Main Library, 4th floor conference room

210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City

Wednesday, September 23, 7-9 p.m.

Bear River Region (Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties)

Cache County Office Building, multipurpose room

179 N. Main, Logan

Wednesday, September 23, 7-9 p.m.

Mountain Region (Summit, Utah, and Wasatch counties)

Provo City Library, Brimhall Room

550 N. University Ave., Provo

Wednesday, September 23, 6-8 p.m.

Southwest Region (Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, and Washington counties)

Washington County Library, St. George Branch, conference room B

88 W. 100 South St. George

Tuesday, September 29, 7-9 p.m. (Optional 8th hearing)

Mound Fort Middle School, media center

1400 Mound Fort Drive, Ogden