Utah Democrats sue for redistricting records

Published: Thursday, Sept. 27 2012 10:13 a.m. MDT

Summary

Utah Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking records from last year's redistricting process.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking records from last year's redistricting process.

Democrats have argued they shouldn't have to pay a bill of more than $9,000 to get the documents, saying the state should give up the records without charge.

Utah Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis said in a statement Wednesday that Democrats, the media and the public "are being locked out of our government."

Legislative officials say it took 55 employees a combined 506 hours to compile the records.

Republicans say Democrats want to use the documents for a lawsuit challenging how lawmakers handled redistricting. Democrats accuse Republicans who control the Legislature of conspiring behind closed doors to redraw state and congressional districts.

Utah Republicans have said the Democrats rejected an offer by the GOP to pay the bill.

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RedShirt

USS Enterprise, UT

I think that this has gone beyond what the records may or may not contain. When the GOP offers to pay for the records, and they refuse the offer, that shows that they are out for blood.

12:13 p.m. Sept. 27, 2012
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Tolstoy

salt lake, UT

"it took 55 employees a combined 506 hours to compile the records" apparently tis is Utah republicans Idea of a smaller government.

11:51 a.m. Sept. 27, 2012
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Tolstoy

salt lake, UT

@redshirt and VST

did either of you ever stop to think that maybe access to public records without excessive cost goes beyond this one case where the GOP is willing to front the money to make it go away? Did you stop to ask yourself why More..

2:47 p.m. Sept. 27, 2012
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