Charging that campaign contribution records in Lt. Gov. Olene Walker's office are in "complete disarray," the Utah Progressive Network called on state officials Saturday to improve government accountability.
Speaking at a press conference outside the Tower Theater, network representatives decried the system by which contributions are reported.Since January, UPNet has been reviewing campaign contribution records of state lawmakers who ran for office in 1994. They have discovered that the system is replete with errors, records were in- complete and inconsistent and the process has little oversight, said UPNet's Pete Kolbenschlag.
"In Utah, it's easy for us to conclude that the lack of effort to improve (reporting systems) signals resistance to reform," Kolbenschlag said.
As a state that has put technology as a top priority, Utah is lacking in the area of campaign reporting, said Claire Geddes of United We Stand, Utah chapter.
"The first step to good government is full and complete disclosure of campaign donations. If campaign finance records are in disarray or extremely difficult for the public to access, they have de feated their purpose of providing accurate and timely information for citizens to evaluate candidates seeking public office," she said.
Geddes said although campaign contributions do not buy votes, they buy access to political leaders.
Geddes urged state election officials to provide an electronic campaign disclosure system to assist candidates as well as citizens.
"The election office is doing the best it can with limited resources," said Vicki Varela, the governor's spokeswoman.