Utah high court to decide if legislative ethics initiative gets on November ballot

Justices question lawmakers' motives in tightening signature requirements

Published: Thursday, July 26 2012 3:57 p.m. MDT

Summary

Utahns might get to vote on a legislative ethics reform initiative that has been tangled up in court for more than a year.

Irvine said lawmakers and state agencies have done "a lot of twisting and turning" to keep the initiative off the ballot.

UEG's reform plan includes an independent ethics commission and strict code of ethics for lawmakers, including limits on campaign contributions, gifts and how lobbyists interact with legislators.

In 2010, the Legislature passed a dozen-bill package that includes a constitutional amendment setting up an independent ethics commission; tougher conflict of interest reporting for lawmakers and candidates alike; more disclosure of campaign financing; lobbyist gift ban over $10, with reporting lawmakers' names who take a meal costing more than $10; and stricter control over personal use of campaign accounts.

Irvine said that's not good enough. "They have addressed it with one loophole after another," he said.

E-mail: romboy@desnews.com

Twitter: dennisromboy

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Darrel

Eagle Mountain, UT

Put the measure on the ballot. If the people want it, let them vote it in. If they do not, let them reject it. Let democracy work.

4:14 p.m. July 26, 2012
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About the Author

Dennis Romboy

Dennis Romboy is a reporter for Deseret News where for the past 20 years he has covered a variety of beats including state and local government, human services and the 2002 Olympics. He spent six years as a special more ..

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