This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Election time is quickly coming. Are you aware that there are three Utah constitutional amendments? Other important issues, besides elected officials, include retention of ZAP sales tax and retention of judges. Is the ZAP tax being properly expended, and do these judges belong on the bench?
The three constitutional amendments, while they seem simple, could have longterm, negative consequences. The three amendments, in simple terms, want to change the makeup of the state tax commission by eliminating the current political party balance, change the term for lieutenant governor when appointed as a replacement and allow the lieutenant governor, state auditor and state treasurer to replace their attorneys from the Attorney General's office and hire their own attorneys.
While the members of the Legislature had enough votes to put these amendments on the ballot, it is "we the people" who make the final determination. I see no need for any of the three, especially the change of political balance with the tax commission, or for allowing the replacement of the AG's office with outside counsel for the three executive branch offices. Vote "NO" on these three amendments.
Doug Fullmer
Salt Lake City