Better Utah urges lawmakers to adopt Independent Commission Maps

Better Utah November 2, 2021

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2021 Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Independent Redistricting Commission, created through a voter-approved proposition in 2018, presented its slate of recommended maps to the Legislative Redistricting Committee. During the meeting, Chase Thomas, executive director for Alliance for a Better Utah, gave the following public comment urging lawmakers to

How do we get fair districts and keep communities together?

Melissa Nelson-Stippich June 28, 2021

Every ten years, the lines for our voting districts are drawn. Depending on how the maps are made, the lines can strengthen or separate a community. When a community is sliced apart, their voices are minimized, and elected officials have no incentive to listen to them. A community that is kept together can advocate for

Better Utah Publishes Legislative Progress Report

Better Utah March 31, 2021

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2021 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, Alliance for a Better Utah published its annual Progress Report for the 2021 General Legislative Session. This year, lawmakers were graded for their votes on 66 important bills organized into four categories: Strong Communities, Equal Rights, Good Government, and Sustainable Future. All 104

Press Release: Sponsor makes false claims during House debate on coal port bill

Katie Matheson March 14, 2019

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Without a House committee hearing, the House of Representatives passed S.B. 248 from Rep. Mike McKell, which, as substituted, streamlines the ability for Utah counties to invest millions of dollars in an out-of-state coal port. During the House debate, Rep. McKell repeatedly claimed

‘It’s a lot like The Hunger Games’: Utah education groups react to push to spend income tax money on things beyond public schools

Better Utah March 12, 2019

This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Brad Asay said he was “flabbergasted” and “perplexed” to learn Tuesday that the Utah Senate had voted the night before to allow spending some of the state’s income tax, earmarked exclusively for public education, on services for the poor, the disabled and

‘Yet another power grab?’ Bill filed to give Utah Port Authority more reach, power to block lawsuits

Better Utah February 27, 2019

This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — Ever since the Utah Legislature’s special session last summer to reach a compromise between Salt Lake City and state leaders on the controversial Utah Inland Port Authority, there’s been no other legislation filed to bring major changes

Press Release: Despite Court Ruling, Oakland Coal Port Still Inappropriate Use of CIB Funds

Beau Bown May 15, 2018

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2018 DESPITE COURT RULING, OAKLAND COAL PORT STILL INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CIB FUNDS Salt Lake City, UT – Earlier today, a federal judge overturned Oakland’s ban on the shipment of coal through its city boundaries. The ban was put in place in 2016 after the city council found

Accountability problems do damage to democratic processes

Better Utah March 5, 2014

In a representative democracy like ours, accountability occurs on two fronts. On the first front,voters are accountable to themselves. They are responsible for making good decisions about who they elect, and they are responsible for many of the choices they make in their own lives. The second front, our elected leaders are ultimately accountable to

Too many questions surround tax rebate to Utah Data Center

Better Utah February 19, 2014

Considering how frequently our legislators shake their fist at the federal government, it is ironic that they’re seriously considering acting like toadies for the feds. I’m referring, of course, to SB45, a bill that would waive the taxes due on electric bills (called MIDA energy taxes) for various federal installations in Utah, but principally for

John Swallow probe could take months to complete

Better Utah August 7, 2013

It was in June of last year when we first spoke with reporters about concerns we had about John Swallow and his questionable ethics. He had made claims to a telemarketer, on a recorded call no less, that when he was elected he would be moving the Division of Consumer Protection under his jurisdiction so

Tag: utah state legislature