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.
In aftermath of Swallow scandal, ethics legislation more important than ever
Salt Lake City–The House Special Investigative Committee, formed to investigate former Attorney General John Swallow, met today to consider ethics and campaign disclosure legislation that would require future officeholders to be more accountable to their constituents and less accountable to their pocketbooks. Maryann Martindale, executive director of the Alliance for …
Rolly is wrong on Ruzicka
Paul Rolly’s op-ed in last Saturday’s Tribune, (“Notes symbolize power and the lack thereof”) is, as always, a frank analysis of the workings of power in the Utah State Legislature. He’s right that Republicans have it and Democrats don’t, but he gets it wrong on Gayle Ruzicka. For too long, anyone …
Let’s hope Utah Legislature is over gold fever
Better UTAH founder and board chair, Josh Kanter, took to the editorial pages of the Salt Lake Tribune over the weekend to talk about the follies of trendy legislation. Specifically, Josh takes to task the legislature’s past attempts at codifying the gold fever of popular conservative radio hosts like Glen …
The week in letters
From secret communist plots to calling out some of our elected leaders, here are the highlights (for better or worse) in this week’s Letters to the Editor. Weiler should apologize to rally participants Where was Sen. Todd Weiler, who represents one of the districts where some of the major polluters …
ALEC likely to be influential in Utah’s legislative session
It’s not often that coverage of the American Legislative Exchange Council makes it into the local news, even though many of Utah’s state legislators are members of the secretive lobbying organization. But after the Guardian broke a story about what is often called ALEC, the little known organization made it …
Utahns get well-deserved recognition with 2013 Better Beehive Awards
Salt Lake City – Among the winners of the Alliance for a Better UTAH’s 2013 Better Beehive Awards are the journalists who uncovered former Attorney General John Swallow’s corrupt dealings, a Republican legislator who favors medicaid expansion, and an unlikely gay pride festival. Better UTAH is continuing its annual tradition …
And then there were 3
In case you are just emerging from your Y2K shelter, our attorney general, John Swallow, resigned. According to statute, the process for filling a statewide vacancy is for the party of the previous office holder (John Swallow is a Republican) to send 3 names to the Governor who then selects …
Good government groups show solidarity in AG appointment scenario
Salt Lake City — Two good government groups joined forces today to petition Gov. Gary Herbert to appoint an interim attorney general who will not stand for reelection in November 2014. Representatives from Utahns for Ethical Government and the Alliance for a Better UTAH hand delivered a letter to Herbert …