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.
Will Swallow’s Ignorance Save Him?
One of John Swallow’s primary lines of defense is that he wasn’t aware of the full implications of what he was doing. He claims he was ignorant of the ethical (and perhaps legal) wrongdoing in his relationship with Jeremy Johnson and others who have come forward in recent months. In …
Statement regarding Lt. Governor’s Decision to Forward Election Law Violation Claims to Special Counsel for Investigation
Salt Lake City — The Alliance for a Better UTAH has issued the following statement in response to the Lt. Governor’s Office’s decision to appoint special counsel to investigate the election law violation petition filed on behalf of Crystal Young-Otterstrom and Maryann Martindale. “We are pleased that the Lt. Governor’s …
Statement regarding additional John Swallow allegations; investigations must proceed
Salt Lake City — In light of additional allegations surrounding Attorney General John Swallow, Maryann Martindale, executive director of the Alliance for a Better UTAH, has issued the following statement: “A concerning pattern of allegations of unethical behavior by Attorney General John Swallow is becoming harder and harder to ignore …
Gagging on AG-GAG
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. –Gandhi A few weeks ago, I returned to vegetarianism. Having been a vegetarian on and off for years, since my mid-teens, I’ve struggled with the contradiction between my love of animals and …
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-tea party
Better UTAH Communications Director Isaac Holyoak published an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune over the weekend in which he argues Lee’s voting record on guns is indicative of Lee’s ideological distaste for the 17th Amendment. From labor laws that made safer workplaces, to banking regulations designed to curb the …
David Irvine does well on Daily Show
Better UTAH Board member David Irvine appeared on the Daily Show earlier this week to discuss the United States’ ongoing use of torture. Irvine, a former Utah state legislator, retired from the army in 2002 as a brigadier general. Previously he was on the faculty of the Sixth Army Intelligence …
Governor Herbert should endorse timely resolution of all Swallow-related investigations
Salt Lake City — Governor Herbert called for the FBI to speed up its investigation regarding potential criminal wrongdoing on the part of Utah Attorney General John Swallow in his monthly KUED news conference Wednesday night. The criminal investigation is just one of at least three investigations currently underway. A …
GRAMA Request: AG’s Response to Election Law Violation Petition
Better UTAH filed a GRAMA request on Wednesday for documents filed by Attorney General John Swallow related to an election law violation petition filed last month with the Lt. Governor’s Office. Those documents were received Friday morning and are available for download below. Swallow.response.4.9.13 (Initial Response) Swallow.response.4.11.13 (Correction) Timeline: March 07, 2013 …