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.
Ben Winslow Reports on Better UTAH’s Letter to Rep. Harper
FOX13’s Ben Winslow reported on Alliance for a Better UTAH’s criticism of Representative Wayne Harper (R-Taylorsville) who last week wrote a letter in support of a convicted sexual abuser. Maryann Martindale, Better UTAH Executive Director, said Here’s a sitting legislator, standing up for a convicted sex offender, and turning his …
Letter to Representative Wayne Harper Regarding His Support of Man Convicted of Felony Sexual Abuse
Salt Lake City — Good government group Alliance for a Better UTAH recently wrote an open letter to Representative Wayne Harper (R-Taylorsville), chiding him for using his official capacity to intervene in a sentencing hearing of a man convicted of sexual abuse. Maryann Martindale, executive director of the Alliance for …
After Fact-checking, Mia Love’s Claims on Special Ed Funding Not True
Salt Lake City — Congressional Candidate Mia Love’s recent claim that her budget plan would not cut funding to special education programs in Utah does not hold up to scrutiny. Over the weekend, Representative Jim Matheson and Love tangled over whether or not Love’s proposed policies would be detrimental to …
State Legislators Join Alliance for a Better UTAH in Condemning Campaign Lies
Salt Lake City — State Legislators Patricia Jones and Carol Spackman Moss joined with the Alliance for a Better UTAH Friday at the Salt Lake City Cemetery to condemn recent lies in local campaign literature. Maryann Martindale, executive director of the Alliance for a Better UTAH, condemned the hypocrisy of …
Press Conference at Salt Lake City Cemetery to Address Campaign Lies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 25, 2012 Media Advisory – Press Conference (Friday, October 26) to Call for End to Campaign Lies ——— Who: Maryann Martindale, Alliance for a Better UTAH Senator Patricia Jones, Minority Whip Representative Carol Spackman Moss What: Utah legislators join Alliance for a Better UTAH in …
October 12, 2012 – More Fee Waiver Info
Response to an October 4, 2012 request for “A full list of all GRAMA requests, for 2011 and 2012 that have requested a fee waiver, including the full text of the actual request for information and the full and complete response from the Senate Records Officer. In addition, we are …
Better UTAH Draws Attention to Transparency Problems
Even though the Senate chose to forgo a public hearing on former-state representative Holly Richardson’s appointment to the State Records Committee, Better UTAH was able to draw significant attention to the process. See below for a list of media appearances, with brief descriptions and links. Daily Herald, October 16, 2012 …
State Senate Ignores Public Input; Confirms Guv’s Nominee to State Records Committee
Salt Lake City – The State Senate voted today to confirm former-state representative Holly Richardson to the State Records Committee without seeking public comment through a committee hearing. The Alliance for a Better UTAH has released the following statement: “We are disappointed with the senate’s decision to confirm the Governor’s …