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Utah's Integrity Index lacking
In Utah, our government is ailing, and it needs a large dose of integrity.
That's the conclusion of the Better Government Association. The Chicago-based group's BGA-Alper Integrity Index rates states on how effective their laws on transparency, accountability and limits in government are. New Jersey ranks first. South Dakota ranks last.
Utah ranked 36th. Quite frankly, that's not so good.
Although we beat 13 other states, Utah's overall 47 percent score is an "F." We're failing when it comes to good-government laws. To look at the BGA-Alpert Index online, go to www.bettergov.org
In a nutshell, the BGA evaluates states on how five laws are enforced: open records laws; whistleblower laws; campaign finance laws; open meeting laws; and conflict of interest laws.
Here's how Utah compares to other states in those categories:
* We rank third in open records laws -- good
* We rank ninth in whistleblower laws -- OK
* We rank 32nd in open meeting laws -- bad
* We rank 39th in campaign finance laws-- worse
* We rank 47th in conflict of interest laws -- even worse
Those are mediocre numbers. But Utah is not alone being integrity-challenged. Just take a look at society today. Scrutinize businesses, politics, government and there seems to be one consistent malady -- a lack of integrity.
Too many politicians lie or change their minds due to pressure from deep-pocketed or influence-entrenched lobbyists. Financial industry CEOs squander our hard-earned money on exotic, greed-driven investment products. These same companies take taxpayers' money meant for a bailout and throw away the cash with expensive party-like retreats and undeserved bonuses.
Utah does have some positives to grow on. We have a pretty good fiscal record under Gov. Jon Huntsman. Our Republican governor touted the state's impressive bond rating during his successful re-election campaign.
However, the negatives -- which drive down our BGA-Alper Index score -- remain. You can read about them in your daily newspaper. Just look at the ethical misdeeds and squabbles in our state Legislature. Something's definitely wrong when Republican State Sen. Chris Buttars is considered a contender to chair the Rules Committee. That's ridiculous.
The BGA offers three distinct solutions to improving governments:
* Transparency, which means open government
* Accountability, which applies penalties with teeth to officials who violate open-government laws
* Limits, which means restrictions on lawmakers receiving gifts or campaign contributions.
Utah legislators have promised to focus on these issues in the upcoming legislative session. We'll be keeping a very close eye on our lawmakers. And we hope what results next year lifts Utah's Integrity Index much higher than an "F" grade.
Add Your Comment
If Utah finds some integrity, I hope they share some of it with the Mormon Church. But since Utah is the only state in the USA governed by a theocracy, I doubt that will happen.
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