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.
Campaign finance limitations, disclosure database, will help rebuild public trust
Salt Lake City – Legislators will meet during tomorrow’s interim session to discuss campaign finance reform. The initial proposal would limit contributions to $10,000 for statewide offices like the Governor and Attorney General, $5,000 for legislative offices and $5,000 for the state school board. In light of tomorrow’s discussion, Maryann …
My view: The Swallow investigation is a chance to restore public trust
Better UTAH Executive Director Maryann Martindale and League of Women Voters of Utah Co-President Jenn Gonnelly penned an op-ed earlier this week in the Deseret News in which they expressed support for the legislature’s investigation into the John Swallow scandal. As we have watched the Swallow scandal unfold over the …
How do you solve a problem like John Swallow?
Last week, the Utah State Legislature met, finally, to discuss John Swallow. It is July. During the 2013 Legislative Session he was all the talk, at least in the hallways. It was during the real onslaught of the accusations, long after Bar complaints had been filed, that on the last …
Campaign finance in Utah more transparent with new database
Salt Lake City – A new database launched by the non-partisan, good government group ABU Education Fund will shed light on campaign finance in Utah by creating a fully searchable collection of campaign disclosure statements. The database can be accessed at followthemoney.abueducation.org The open-access Utah Disclosures Search consists of raw …
80% say Swallowgate tarnishes Utah’s other leaders, too
There are numerous polls that demonstrate the public’s shattered confidence in the Attorney General. Now, there is evidence that the public’s lack of confidence is starting to leak into other areas of the democratic process. Our own informal polling, the results of which are similar to BYU’s recent poll, demonstrate this …
Anti-corruption rally (Wednesday, June 19) at Utah State Capitol
What: Utahns will gather at the Capitol Rotunda in a show of solidarity to protest corruption in the Attorney General’s Office. When: Wednesday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. Where: Rotunda, Utah State Capitol Who: Holly Richardson, Former legislator and blogger Jenn Gonnelly, League of Women Voters of Utah Isaac Holyoak, Alliance …
Attorney General must resign for sake of public confidence
Salt Lake City — In light of John Swallow’s private entreaties with key members of the Utah State legislature, the Alliance for a Better UTAH has issued the following statement: “The allegations surrounding Attorney General John Swallow are sufficient to merit impeachment proceedings. Should Swallow feel the need to explain …
With Swallow, we got what we deserved
The last six months have been full of allegations against Attorney General John Swallow. But it didn’t just start in January with the first public accusation. This saga has been going on for years, starting with Mark Shurtleff, Swallow’s 12-year predecessor. The truth is, everyone on this side of the …