Reader comments
One in 4 bills poses a conflict

Same Old | 3:29 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Sounds like the same old, same old. If we do what we've always done then we'll get what we've always got. Vote these self serving goofballs out in November. They think we'll forget about all the blunders they have made lately, like the soccer stadium, vouchers, and the apalling lack of will to enact any type of ethics rules. Please Utah, let's vote them out!

terror | 3:55 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

This is scary. I guess when being robbed the robber could justify it with his expertise on the subject.

Bob G | 5:30 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

It is logical to me that these legislators should not be able to propose or endorse bills or legislation that is in conflict with their personal or business life. These experts of their fields should be used as a resource with the ability to pose the proper questions rather than overwhelm the rest of the legislators with job related prattle and acronyms that the rest of the legislators do not understand. Limit the type of legislation they can propose and the job or conflict legislation will limit conflicts and ensure a proper discussion of legislation. Let the experts question legislation, not porpose it or submit it as a bill or law. Conflict legislation of law makeing makes for bad laws and government. These conflict of interst law makeing legislators do more harm to all and there is never the right questions asked because the legislator proposing it is the only one who knows the right questions to debate an issue. Then in the legislators who are lawyers there should be no such thing as client privilages when it comes to our law makeing body. If a lawyer refuses to disclose his secret client then the legislation is automatically discarded.

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Utah Politics are a Joke | 6:01 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

I'm a Republican, but I am completely disgusted by the corruption in our own elected officials. They are no different from 99% of the officials who are elected to the US House or Senate. They are paid off to push the agendas of the special interest groups that line their pockets.

There is very little consideration given to what is good for the people these hired goons are supposed to represent. They say all the right things to get elected, and then as soon as they win...they go back to work for the people who are paying them off.

A prime example is Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. For about 3 months during an election year, she acts like she cares about her constituents. However, her campaign is financed in large part by the U.E.A., so when she wins...she is their slave in the Utah House of Representatives. She is a puppet of the teacher's union.

Sadly, until Utah Republicans are challenged for seats by the impotent Utah Democrats...the Republicans will continue to abuse their power.

Prettyboy Huntsman Jr. a Fraud | 6:22 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

It's also sad how far our petite, pretty little governor has strayed from the values of his parents.

It was sickening to observe the dishonest, lying tactics used by the McCain campaign as he and his posse blatantly lied about and smeared Mitt Romney. It is widely known that the McCain campaign machine was behind many anti-LDS efforts in several primary and caucus states.

Yet, our pretty little governor (who happens to be LDS) kept his mouth shut and CONTINUED TO ENDORSE JOHN McCAIN, like a good little soldier and stood by and watched as a good man, as well as his own religion, was maligned by a power-hungry wolf in sheep's clothing.

It is perfectly clear that our petite little rich-boy governor wants a position in a McCain cabinet.

Hey governor, it's sad that you have picked a losing horse this time...and even your daddy's money can't buy you a position in a Clinton or Obama cabinet. So far, your daddy's money has bought you ambassadorships, and the governor's mansion...but that is as far as you go.

I'm not sure who is more feminine, Governor Huntsman or his odd-looking wife.

excuses excuses | 7:51 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Explain it away all you want, but the profiteering and conflicts of interest are appalling. There isn't even an attempt made to whitewash much of the profiteering. Coming here from out of state, I think that the open and excused corruption was the single biggest cultural shock for me in Utah..which ultimately has no right to claim any political morality or high ground so long as this continues unabated.

Larry | 8:11 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

No wonder we get nothing done for the people of Utah
with part time help and conflicts of interest.

Utah Republican | 8:24 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

How many times do I have to say this? Government employees, especially teachers, DO NOT HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST!!!! We need to worry about legislators who work for CORPORATIONS.

Observer | 8:48 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Wow -- I wish this "tip of the iceberg" article would have been more thoroughly researched. I am surprised that only 25% of the bills considered pose a conflict. I believe the the percentage is higher. On the one hand, we'd expect that with a "citizen legislature." But, the "help" the legislators give each other in understanding bills is unsettling, at best, because it so much mis-information is transferred this way. So many bills are acted on with little or no understanding of the "real world" consequences. And, many, like the nuclear power situation, are much worse.

The process needs to be more open.

The legislature needs more balance.

The conflicts need to be disclosed in a much more meaningful way, not to mention the influence peddling that is rampant.

up to us | 9:38 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

This is where voters come in, if they won't police themselves, we need to do it for them. Do not vote for obvious abusers like Tilton and Noel.

The truth is scary | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

I had an attorney friend once tell me that if he were not who he was (moral) he could pretty much get the legislature to go along with anything (immoral) he proposed. In other words they will believe anything anyone of prominence tells them. If you have a title, badge, or money, or are a corporation, you have a friend in the legislature. And frankly, I can't find one thing in the constitution or any writings stated by the founders that a non human entity (corporation) had rights much less a voice.

Abuse of Power | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

There are two important points to be made. First, regulation of a conflict of interst must be established. The nuclear power plant fiasco, for example, was a horrific example of abuse of power for one's career advancement. Second, just because someone works in the field, they don't automatically have a conflict of interst. Anyone in any field can see problems with the law and make an effort to improve it. Simple association is not indicative of a conflict of interest, although those conflicts are obviously prevalent and threaten the entire state. It appears that this gross lack of regulation is a symptom of constituents that care more about party affiliation than any other factor - that keeps the same abusers of power in office time and time again.

Shameful | 10:17 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

It's simply shameful.

alice | 11:46 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

I am appalled but not particularly surprised.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Mongo | 11:43 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Conflict of interest is not unusual--it is the order of the day in our legislature. Chris Buttars voting on the vouchers bill because it would benefit him personally is a good example. Utah wake up! It's time to throw these bums out! Maybe we need Brigham Young to come into all wards and designate half the congregation to be democrats as he did when he was the Prophet.

vern | 12:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!!!

Viva La Revolution! | 1:46 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

This Novemeber a revolution will come to Utah if we just get the word out. We will overthrow the self proclaimed overseers of the great people of Utah and elect people who really have our best intersts at heart. We must choose morality over good ol' boys!

Reader | 3:33 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

There are far too many legislators who have gotten far too comfortable in the Legislature. It has become a mini-career for them. That is because brain-dead voters who sit on their lazy rear ends watching TV and doing similar mindless stuff don't study the candidates, instead relying on some name they may have seen before on some campaign lawn sign. That is why we keep getting clowns like Bramble and Buttars and others re-elected who use the Legislature to further their own self-interests and line their pockets.

Jayson | 3:53 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

How is any of this news? With almost every bill filled to the brim with pork of course there is going to be conflicts of interest on a regular basis.

Utah native in Louisiana | 4:48 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

This is just another example of the D-News political staff attempting to raise the ire of the general public. The article does point out measures the legislative body employs to disclose conflicts of interest but also joys in speculation of prevalent backroom dealing. The Utah legislature functions very smoothly for ï¿½a bunch of citizensï¿½ who take time to ï¿½hang-outï¿½ in Salt Lake for 45 days.

There are no perks to that public office. They only make $110 dollars a day and most step away from higher paying jobs because of a desire to make a difference. I speculate that many reps decided to enter because of a need to improve the law in their respective areas and this is absolutely acceptable.

The polar opposite of Utah is Louisiana where backroom dealing is the norm and money flows under the table. Many elected officials have spent time in jail for money transfers. This and other issues in the state have produced a #50 ranking in education and horrendous misappropriation of funds in a budget that should have a good deal of freedom.

Be happy for what you have: One of the most efficient and ethical government entities in the country!

2-cents worth | 6:39 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Actually, Utah's legislators have a better record of keeping themselves clear of conflict of interest in legislative activity except in one important area... keeping the Mormon church influence clear of legislative action when they are also bishops, steak presidents, stake counselors, or close family/friend connections with church policy makers. On these latter points Utah legislators top the nation as number 1 in ecclesiastical-based conflicts of interests... ahead of Massachusetts Catholics, Minnesota Lutherans, even Southern states Baptists! I've traveled and spent extensive times in all these areas, and yes, though ecclesiastical conflicts of interests do occur, they are nothing to the deeply entrenched level they exist in Utah politics. This isn't necessarily always bad, however, it definitely leaves things too open for legislative integrity to remain true to the people it serves (versus the individual legislatures and their special interests it ends up serving).

Amazingly, it's simple enough to pass laws with teeth that stop conflicts of interests of all kinds. One only has to look at who's opposing those legislative attempts to see where the problem(s) lies. It really is that simple!

Utah resident | 8:12 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Utah native: I can blow your argument sky high in just two words: Noel and Tilton.

Reader | 8:27 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Utah native: I think you are a little naive as to how "efficient and ethical" Utah legislators are.

BBKing | 9:49 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Government employees have the same conflict of interest. A former State Senator quit his job as a public employee a week before he was elected into the State Senate. He won and a few days later the head of his department called him, asking him to come back, take a new position with the salary almost double what it had been, with a state car.

He refused.

If it wasn't a conflict, why the offer?

Not to single them out but these conflicts go deeper than just a few gold ol boys.

And Yes, Noel and Tilton need some special attention. They are way out of line.

Miinor Machman | 11:06 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

Dividing line? Clear dividing line you say. How about "divided loyalties". Pretty clear to me! But then I am fron another state and trained to recognize such. Why can't these people with be trained or expelled like a bad...well you know what I am thinking....

Scam Buster | 11:16 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

While conflicts of interest are no doubt going to happen, the conflicts to watch for are the ones that make legislators tons of money. Charter School legislation for instance has netted some legislators hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. Fortunately, the one from Orem got booted from office. Anytime a legislator proposes a bill, a good litmus test for voters is to do a little research and determine if a proposed bill is going to contribute significantly to the livelihood of an elite few in the legislature. Charter School funding is still being pushed by some of our elected officials that sit on charter boards or are a part of the construction/investment process. Those same people are always trying to create chaos in the traditional public school setting in order to net more charter customers. Very disgusting indeed!

Smeagle | 11:55 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008

I suggest that each of you do what I do after each election: go to the legislative web site and read each of the 104 legislator's biographies yourselves (there are a few who refuse to submit a biography), then tally it up. Hardly representative of the rest of us: a majority are in the business of real estate (including title and escrow), insurance, banking, or financial planning. Then there are the ones who push vouchers who operate private schools. Most of the old timers with conflicts of interest gloss it over with self-aggrandizing comments about their service to the Boy Scouts or other such non-pertinent pap.

There may be only 25% with an easily identified conflict of interest, but there are not truly 25% who are worth keeping in office. Whatever district you are in, please consider voting for the incumbent's opponent. Help shake the place up. Teach them that their offices are not entitlements.

richard saunders | 10:37 p.m. March 26, 2008

Dan Eastman, former car dealer from Bountiful, sponsors many bills that help car dealers and hurt the public. One of his first acts when appointed Senator was to pass a bill giving safety inspection durations for fleets (read car dealers) of 101 vehicles 11 months. (small car dealers get 6 months, and private citizens only 2 months. Painter, current car dealer, and Eastman, former car dealer, have gotten together to sponsor and pass SB115, which weakens the safety inspection advisory council by removing the law that one of the appointees must be a member of the department of commerce with a backround in consumer protection. The new law makes the position open to virtually anyone. Just business as usual . . .

Anonymous | 5:22 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009

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