The fundamental purpose of our work is to maintain open and transparent government by keeping the electorate informed. Though some find it hard to believe, our state is home to a diverse population of backgrounds and perspectives. Utah citizens put a great deal of trust in local government to ensure that everyone is represented equally.
When elected government officials abuse that trust, whether by acting in accordance with their personal beliefs instead of the law, accepting “gifts” in exchange for political favors, indulging the influence of outside groups or by making important decisions in closed caucus meetings, ABU is there to speak out.
Skipping debates is bad for democracy
Have you heard? Skipping debates is the new summer trend. Jeff Gray, a candidate for Utah County Attorney General, said that he would not participate in a debate organized by the ACLU because the organization is ‘too liberal.’ In early June, Mike Lee’s two strongest opponents stood on a debate …
Guess who was in town?
If Paul Revere were alive and in Utah last week, I’d imagine he’d have been ringing the alarm for us all screaming, “ALEC is coming, ALEC is coming!” Yes, it’s true. ALEC, also known as the American Legislative Exchange Council, was in town last week, and we should all be …
2 quick ways to take action on Utah’s COVID response
With the Delta variant spreading like wildfire, vaccination rates lower than hoped, and implementation of mask mandates made overly-political and difficult—or in the case of public schools, outright illegal (thanks to the Utah Legislature)—many Utahns are worried about how their communities will fare in the coming weeks and months with …
Four reasons why Mike Lee needs to go
We all know that Utah is an incredibly special state. From the majestic red rocks to the striking mountain ranges, the natural beauty and adventure are never in short supply. However, the thing that makes Utah truly wonderful is the people who call this great state home, and the values …
Utah’s conflict of interest problem
With the Legislative session now a month behind us, it’s a good time to reflect not just on what happened, but what we want the Legislature to look like in the future. Utah has long resisted implementing meaningful ethical standards for public officials. As a matter of fact, a few …
County politician is trying to divide Utahns
Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation and it isn’t just because we tend to have a lot of kids. In a trend that has only accelerated because of the pandemic, people from around the nation are moving to Utah to take advantage of our strong …
Better education starts in our elections
It’s no secret that Utah’s funding of education is lackluster compared to the rest of the country. On average, the United States spends $12,612 on each student. Utah ranks last, spending only $7,179 on each student. Despite this, Utah’s high school graduation and college attendance rates are higher than average. …
The hills Mike Lee is willing to let Americans die on
With the 2020 election in the rearview mirror, our sights are already set on 2022 as we work toward unseating one of the most dangerous politicians in Washington. Senator Mike Lee’s career was born and sustained on a wave of radicalism. First elected in 2010, the year of the Tea …