At the hearing for SB377, the “five alarm fire” that would allow two appointed committees to green light projects with minimal citizen or local government input (garbage dump next to your neighborhood, anyone?), one Republican senator voted no. His reason? The Legislature is losing people’s trust, and he could not support a bill that asks taxpayers to fund projects they don’t want, and upon which they can’t provide feedback.
Sen. John D. Johnson is right on. We are fed up. For several years, an avalanche of destructive bills has proved the Legislature cares little about its constituents, but only works to increase the wealth of its members.
To remind you: The Inland Port, in which the state grabbed a chunk of Salt Lake City’s land to build an industrial complex that is damaging ecosystems and increasing noise and air pollution; the gondola, which 90% of residents and every relevant local entity has decried, and is still moving forward; redistricting, where the Legislature ignored the successful voter initiative that mapped fair voting districts, replacing them with a heavily gerrymandered map that has both local and national repercussions.
This session, we have tax cuts — a savings of $1,929/year for the top 1% compared with $35/year for those earning $63,100-$103,200. Or consider HB311, that allows the appointed water agent to consider taking water from the Bear River, a primary inflow to the Great Salt Lake that has thus far been off the table, to grow housing and industry. Other bills make it almost impossible to put forward a ballot initiative (we’re still being punished for the redistricting initiative); another suite of bills would give the Legislature control over the Utah judiciary; others restrict the open records that stave off corruption.
Do you trust our Legislature? Or is it time to vote for different representatives?
Marjorie McCloy, Salt Lake City
