What if there were a scandal and no one cared?
Alliance for a Better Utah is probably best known as the progressive non-profit that brought down Utah Attorney General John Swallow over illegal campaign finance activities. However, Better Utah’s ideals of balance, transparency and accountability took root much earlier when our Founder, Josh Kanter, came to the realization that there was a missing voice in Utah’s political landscape who could say whatever needed to be said, whenever it needed to be said, regardless of the consequences. And so an idea was born – the Alliance for a Better Utah. A group that would engage openly and honestly in the public square. Ensuring a balanced dialog about policy. Holding elected officials accountable to their constituents. Shining a light where there was a lack of transparency.
When Senate President Mike Waddoups called 100,000 Utahns lazy, Better Utah was there. When Utah wanted to follow Arizona down the immigration rabbit hole, Better Utah was there. When the Utah legislature wanted to run GRAMA over with a bus, Better Utah was there. When the Utah legislature gerrymandered the redistricting effort, Better Utah was there. When the Utah legislature wanted to eliminate sex-education for our children, Better Utah was there. When the American Legislative Exchange Council came to Utah, Better Utah was there. When Representative Mia Love backed the destruction of the very programs that got her to where she is today, Better Utah was there. When Senator Mike Lee received the equivalent of a $400,000 campaign contribution from a bank, Better Utah was there. When no one else was left standing for Medicaid expansion, Better Utah was there. When Judge Johansen needed to be shown the door, Better Utah was there. And yes, when Attorney General John Swallow broke the law, Better Utah was there.
Time and again, Better Utah has been and will be there – ensuring that there is balance, accountability and transparency in Utah politics, policy and government.
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Better Utah Highlights
September 1, 2010
An Idea is Born
UDOT pays $13 million — What if there were a scandal and no one cared?
June 15, 2011
Redistricting
Better Utah leads a coalition group fighting for fair and open redistricting.
July 25, 2012
ALEC Exposed Conference
Better Utah holds a public counter-conference during ALEC’s national conference.
January 23, 2013
Swallowgate: Better Utah Files Utah Bar Association Complaint
March 7, 2013
Swallowgate: Better Utah Files Election Law Violation with Lt. Governor’s Office
May 10, 2013
Swallowgate: Lt. Governor Calls for Special Investigation
Better Utah’s election law violation claim leads to a call for investigation by the Lt. Governor’s office.
February 28, 2014
Better Utah Joins the Fight for Equality
Better Utah files and amicus brief with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of marriage equality. The brief takes the unique stance of examining Utah’s broken political process—arguing that a balanced and accountable process would have prevented Amendment 3 from ever making it out of the state house.
February 5, 2016
Better Utah Sues State Over School Funding
Better Utah files a lawsuit against the state of Utah based on the argument that state leaders have failed in their constitutional duty to adequately fund the public school system.
January 21, 2017
Better Utah Co-Sponsors Women’s March in Park City
Better Utah co-sponsors the Women’s March in Park City, lead by celebrity comedian Chelsea Handler.