The Utah Senate Committee on Government Operations Confirmation just passed unanimously SB243, which suddenly appeared over the weekend. It now goes to the Senate.
SB243 creates a tiny, hand-picked committee, with no public accountability or oversight, to offer $75 million in loans to private businesses willing to build infrastructure in the “controversial” Utah Inland Port.
Twenty-two citizens wanted to make public comments, all in opposition; only seven were permitted. Chairman Daniel Thatcher limited everyone to barely one minute and cut off the discussion because “we have a lot of bills to cover.” Meeting expediency over taxpayer policy.
Sponsor Sen. Jerry Stephenson was asked questions — about transparency, about vetting of projects, about process. No mention of government usurping a private sector interests of lenders.
His answer to all: We can work that out later, in subsequent bills, “like we always do.”
Is Utah headed down this path, as a way to govern?
Nancy Alice McHugh
Salt Lake City