PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2021
Salt Lake City, UT – Today, Utah’s Senate voted 22-7 to pass HB136 from Representative Teuscher, the bill which would make signature-gathering for ballot initiatives harder. The bill is backed by the Foundation for Government Accountability, a Florida-based conservative advocacy group that opposes Medicaid expansion.
Lauren Simpson, policy director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement:
“Utahns already face an incredibly high barrier when it comes to getting initiatives on the ballot, which is why it requires so much money for a ballot initiative to be successful. This bill will make it even harder for Utahns to pass ballot initiatives and referenda. If lawmakers were sincere in their desire to reduce the money spent on future ballot initiatives, they would be making it easier, not harder, for Utahns to exercise this right that is guaranteed under the Utah Constitution.
“This bill, which is backed by an anti-Medicaid expansion group from out-of-state, sends the wrong message to the people of Utah. We hope Governor Cox will consider a veto.”
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Alliance for a Better Utah is a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies that make Utah an even better place. The organization improves the lives of all Utahns through advocacy, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.