This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As expected, supporters of House Bill 116 launched a campaign to fight Republican delegates who, through their effort to repeal the law, are defending the U.S. Constitution and Republican immigration platforms. The opposition has lost the argument with little to stand on.
Utahns have spoken. They want HB116 repealed and replaced. I've heard this sentiment across the state. Now HB116 supporters are willing to attack character in a last-ditch effort to save this flawed bill.
Jeremy Roberts, the newly elected Utah County Republican Party secretary, claims repeal supporters are against the LDS Church, calling us racists who want to "begin rounding up brown people." He has stepped over the line. I call for Roberts to issue a public apology after making untruthful comments about good Americans who have done nothing but help the party. If this is the type of leadership we can expect from Roberts, I would ask that he step down. I also ask that he respect differing opinions and focus on the issue, not character assassination.
Is Roberts' goal to unite or divide our party further on this issue? I choose to unite.
As Americans, Utahns and Republican delegates, we are unapologetic for fighting illegal immigration, defending the Constitution and the principles of the Republican platform. If we don't stand by these principles, there is no point in being Republican. Therefore, when legislation is passed that is contrary to our principles and the Constitution, we will work to navigate the misguided back on course. The repeal campaign was necessary after the Legislature narrowly passed the bill and the governor refused to veto it in the face of mounting opposition.
One hundred-plus delegates (including Roberts) met with the governor on March 8. They left work and traveled to the Capitol to civilly express their concerns about HB116 and ask for a veto. Two days later, delegates returned to the Capitol, delivering letters asking for a veto. People from all over Utah made hundreds of veto calls.
The governor promised to meet with us again before signing the bill. That never happened. Hours after he signed the bill, we were allowed to meet. We delivered a 4,500-signature veto petition. The governor said, "I'm uncomfortable with this bill." We asked, "Why did you sign it?" He replied, "We have to do something. Doing nothing is not an option."
However, doing the wrong thing isn't an option either. We informed the governor we were going to work to repeal HB116. He replied, "If we need to repeal it, let's do it."
During our campaign we have maintained respect, civility and an open line of communication with those of the opposing side. We have always desired to facilitate some agreement to fix the legislation and make it constitutional. I believe that is not only reasonable, it is the right thing to do. The Repeal 116 campaign would unite the party and allow us to take up other important issues.
I respectfully ask the governor to lead the HB116 discussion toward a vetted solution. I ask that Sen. Curtis Bramble, Rep. Holly Richardson, House Speaker Rebecca Lockhart, Sen. Stuart Reid and Rep. Bill Wright make honest efforts to address our concerns and fix the law. Why would anyone want to continue the party division that HB116 created? The outcome would be only negative. It is my hope that will not be the case.
We are ready and waiting when they are.
Brandon Beckham is a Republican state delegate from Orem Precinct 40.