GOP will oppose citizen initiatives

The Utah Republican Party will oppose both of the citizen initiatives — legislative ethics and redistricting — that supporters hope to get on the 2010 ballot.

Dave Hansen, state GOP chairman, said it is too early to detail what the majority party in Utah may do in trying to defeat the initiatives. In 2008, the party raised and spent around $1 million in local political activities.

"That's not too much of a surprise," said Glenn Wright, field director for the Fair Boundaries initiative, concerning the anticipated GOP opposition.

"They want to maintain their power structure," he said. "It's pure power politics."

In a related matter, the state's main teacher union, the Utah Education Association, has decided to support the ethics initiative, which opens the door for donations not only from the UEA PAC, but the National Education Association PAC.

Hansen said it's ultimately up to the party's governing committees to decide whether to oppose the initiatives (or up to state delegates themselves in convention next May). But Hansen said he personally opposes both the initiatives and believes other party leaders will as well.

Said Hansen, "My guess is that we will get involved" in opposing the Utahns for Ethical Government and Fair Boundaries initiatives, each now in the signature gathering.

Could the state GOP actually back the initiatives? "Over my dead body," he said. "Both initiatives are ill-advised."

The state Democratic Party has already officially endorsed the Fair Boundaries initiative, which would set up an independent commission to recommend to the Legislature redrawn U.S. House, legislative and State School Board districts after each 10-year census.

"We have no position on the ethics" initiative, said Todd Taylor, executive director of the Utah Democratic Party. Taylor said he can't imagine his party opposing the ethics initiative, although party leaders could decide to stay neutral and not endorse it, although an endorsement could happen later, as well.

"Lots and lots of Democrats are already on board" supporting the ethics initiative, Taylor said. "Many Democrats are behind the (ethic's initiative) intent, but have concerns about some of the language."