A group of political activists calling themselves Utahns for Ethical Government has produced a citizens' initiative ("Government Ethics Reform") that they claim will promote ethical government in Utah. They are currently gathering signatures to get this "ethics" initiative on Utah's ballot in 2010. We invite all Utahns to join us in opposing this misleading initiative.
Obviously, Utahns want ethical government. We are excited to see the public's increased interest in ethical government and support sincere, sensible, ethics reform. Unfortunately, the Government Ethics Reform initiative, proposed by Utahns for Ethical Government, goes too far and is problematic in many respects.
The problems in this "ethics" initiative are not a secondary consideration. Even the sponsors of the initiative acknowledge that various provisions cannot be reasonably applied as written. This means, simply, that judgments will be made at the sole discretion of those in power. Our government was founded on the rule of law - the idea that the law is above everyone and that it applies to everyone. This means that inappropriate laws cannot be simply ignored. They must be applied. Doing otherwise undermines the rule of law and exposes us all to undue risk.
On this page, you can learn more about the petition.
Read the petition - Utahns for Ethical Government's "Government Ethics Reform" initiative
Sutherland Institute's A Critical View of the "Government Ethics Reform" Initiative
Lyle Hillyard on Constitutional concerns about Utah's "Government Ethics Reform" initiative.
Lorie Fowlke's Initiative Analysis; UEG Rebuttal to Fowlke; Rebuttal to UEG
Todd Weiler on UEG's shifting of the burden of proof
If you do nothing else, please read the initiative. Unfortunately, many people have relied solely on the initiative's title, or a summary, or other people's opinions in deciding whether to support it. Some people, including Chair of the Board of Regents and former UVU President, Bill Sederburg, supported the "ethics" initiative until reading it. The title of the bill sounds worthy - even a summary may make the bill seem appealing - but it is the initiative itself that would be on the ballot if sufficient signatures are obtained - NOT the title, or a summary, or the sponsors' opinions - and the initiative causes great concern for many Utahns.
Many people are outraged when we hear about elected officials voting on bills they have never read. While ethics reform is a noble cause, please do not sign your name to something you have not read and understood.