The legislator against whom this ethics complaint was filed resigned so the Ethics Committee did not investigate this allegation. However, the former legislator did later plead guilty to a misdemeanor regarding this case.
Current policy to deal with alleged ethics problems is not acceptable. Although the majority of legislators are ethical and serve with the best interests of Utah citizens as their guiding principle, the current high threshold to file a complaint, an imprecise code of conduct, and an ethics committee that does not have concise rules and directions is unacceptable. The 2010 Legislature can and should do more.
The change to the Rules that has been promulgated by the Interim Ethics Committee is inadequate, and in some ways even further insulates legislators. It reduces the number of legislators required to file a complaint from three to two, but peer pressure still exists to file no complaints. Two citizens can file a complaint but one must have first-hand knowledge of the ethics violation(s). A state department director, university president, judge, school superintendent, or other prominent individuals who may have first-hand knowledge of improprieties are unlikely to file a complaint because of concerns including job security or opportunities for advancement. And four of five members of the newly-created Ethics Commission, rather than a majority, must vote to pass a complaint to the next step, either the Senate or House Ethics Committee. The Legislative Code of Conduct has not been addressed.
Thus far, the Ethics Initiative is a superior, more comprehensive proposal and addresses many current problems including an improved Code of Conduct.
2. How would you rate last year’s health care reforms? What may happen this year?
Speaker of the House David Clark indicated in December that the state’s pilot health care insurance exchange is too complicated to work with current market methods. He will introduce a bill that will establish the state’s first and one of the country’s few statewide health insurance risk pools for small businesses. I look forward to his proposal, and hope it can be successful in assisting Utah’s many small businesses and uninsured individuals. I welcome suggestions on this topic and all others.
3. What is right or wrong with national health care reform plans?
Currently we have a House plan and a Senate plan but no Conference Committee plan. The goal to provide health care for the many uninsured in a fiscally responsible manner is laudable, and I support it. I wish the Democrats had made a greater effort to include Republicans, but Republicans appeared to stonewall compromise. I find contentious, partisan politics in Washington to be the worst part of health care reform efforts.
4. What proposals to balance the state’s budget do you favor?
I support prudent additional reductions to state government except I hope public and higher education can be spared. Education is the key to economic revival and a prosperous future for Utah. A trained workforce in this global marketplace will be the key to Utah’s economic recovery. I also support using a substantial part of Utah’s rainy day fund. I support an increase in the tobacco tax, and perhaps a temporary reinstatement of the sales tax on food, if it is needed to avoid draconian cuts.
5. Do you agree with the Fair Boundaries plan to change legislative redistricting?
I join former Congressman Jim Hansen and former State Representative Richard Siddoway in recognizing that the 2001 redistricting of Utah was not done judiciously. The process can and should be improved. An independent Redistricting Commission has been successful in many other states. Gerrymandering of districts produces disenfranchisement. Utah needs to do all that it can to improve voter turnout, and fair redistricting of political boundaries is an important step.
6. What legislation do you support regarding nondiscrimination in employment, housing, etc.?
As of this writing, I have not yet seen any specific legislation, and I can be more exact when specific proposals are available. Generally I support efforts to eliminate discrimination against all individuals in employment, housing and other issues such as hospital visitation rights. Salt Lake City has developed some reasonable ordinances.
7. What should be done on the state level with respect to climate change?
Legislation relating to climate change needs to be addressed fairly on a national level. Utah needs additional legislation to encourage renewable energy and efforts at energy conservation are extremely important. If Utah legislators consider nuclear energy, we need to carefully examine the water requirements. Water will become an even more important commodity in the future. Utah also needs to address air quality problems more seriously, and refinery inspections and safety are critical.
8. What bills will you be introducing this year, and why?
One bill allows a school district or charter school to require an employee to periodically submit to a criminal background check. The school district, charter school, or private school may require an applicant or employee to pay for the costs of the background check which could save Davis District up to $350,000.
I will sponsor a bill to update Utah adoption requirements. I am also sponsoring a bill that will require state office candidates to file a reason for amendments to campaign finance reports. Currently campaign finance reports can be amended easily with no consequences. Collectively, hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations have been filed as amendments after reporting dates. This has allowed some candidates to avoid honest and complete reporting. The public deserves transparency in campaign reporting.
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