Politics

BYU Poll Shows 72% of Utah Voters Want Swallow Impeached

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:43 +0000

A new poll released by the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University shows that the majority of Utah voters think that Attorney General John Swallow should resign.

Salt Lake City Council Gives Nod to Property Tax Hike

Whittney Evans — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:47:01 +0000

The Salt Lake City Council gave preliminary approval to a $7 million tax increase last night despite opposition from Mayor Ralph Becker. Members of the council say overdue maintenance can no longer be ignored.

Salt Lake City Council Chair Kyle Lamalfa says while Mayor Becker’s budget proposal was lean and balanced it left out a few key items.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Faces Election Challenge

Whittney Evans — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:17:04 +0000

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore Jr. is facing three challengers in this year’s election. Cullimore has been the municipality’s only mayor since residents voted to become a city in 2004.

Fifty-three-year-old Peyton Robinson is a partner at the Lewis Hansen Law Firm in Salt Lake City. He says he’s eying the Mayor’s seat because he wants to increase green space and create a true downtown area in Cottonwood Heights.

House and Senate Dems Call For Investigation of John Swallow

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:49:20 +0000

Utah Senate Democrats are calling on House and Senate leadership to authorize a committee to investigate the allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow.

Senate Minority leader Gene Davis says the call for an investigation isn’t about impeachment. That’s a process left for the Utah House to begin. But he does say it’s in the interest of open government and the integrity of our elected officials to find the truth.

Utah House of Reps Prepares For Possibility of Impeachment Proceedings

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:10:45 +0000

In response to questions from state lawmakers about the allegations surrounding Utah Attorney General John Swallow, the Utah House Majority leadership is sending out weekly informational emails to legislators while the body considers options for dealing with the embattled public official.

Murray City Councilman Jim Brass Announces Mayoral Bid

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:05:16 +0000

Murray City Councilman Jim Brass announced today that he’s running to replace Murray City Mayor Dan Snarr, who recently disclosed he will not be running for re-election.

Jim Brass has been on the Murray City Council for ten years. Before that, he served on the planning and zoning commission. Democratic state Representative Carol Spackman-Moss was at Brass’ announcement. She says she’s giving her support to Brass because of his experience.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor to Seek Re-Election

Whittney Evans — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:00:43 +0000

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvin Cullimore Jr. has filed for re-election. Cullimore was elected as the first mayor of Cottonwood Heights back in 2004 following a successful incorporation referendum. Cullimore says his administration has done an excellent job of providing services at a reasonable cost.

In his re-election announcement, Mayor Cullimore stressed the important things Cottonwood City has not done under his leadership.

Governor Appoints Six Members to New Prison Relocation and Development Authority

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:23:20 +0000

Governor Gary Herbert appointed six members to the newly formed Prison Relocation and Development Authority today. The group is tasked with examining the potential of moving the state prison that is currently located in Draper.

West Valley City Has Another Candidate for Mayor

Bob Nelson — Tue, 28 May 2013 22:51:49 +0000

West Valley City Councilman Don Christensen announced his plan Tuesday to run for Mayor of that city. Christensen says after current mayor Mike Winder declared he would not run for re-election, many of his friends and associates encouraged him to run.

“And I thought man if everybody wants me to run I’d better do it,” says Christensen. “So I decided, I thought long and hard about it, talked to my family about and we decided that it would be a good…good step and we’d go ahead and do it.”

WVC Mayor Mike Winder Won't Seek Re-Election

Nicole Nixon — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:48:42 +0000

West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder announced today that he will not run for re-election later this year. Despite problems plaguing the city’s police force and a scandal where Winder admitted writing articles under a pen-name praising his city, he says he’s proud of his tenure as Mayor.

Utah Congressional Delegation Confident About Future of Hill Air Force Base

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:51:47 +0000

Correction: In an earlier version we made the mistake of saying civilian contractors will be furloughed. That is not the case. Civilian federal employees will be furloughed.

The majority of Utah’s congressional delegation met with the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff today to discuss key issues surrounding the future of Hill Air Force Base.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-UT, says he feels good about the long-term viability of Hill Air Force Base after meeting with U.S Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh.

City Unveils Plan Salt Lake Envisioning Effort

Bob Nelson — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:59:00 +0000

For the first time since the 1980’s, the Salt Lake City Planning Division is renewing its effort to create a master plan for the city’s future development. The public comment period for Plan Salt Lake began last fall and today the official kick-off of the campaign took place at Salt Lake City and County Building. Planning Division Director Wilf Sommerkorn says businesses and residents are an important part of this over-arching program.

Mia Love Officially Running for Utah's 4th Congressional District Again

Andrea Smardon — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:40 +0000

Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love officially declared Saturday that she will run again for the congressional seat occupied by Democrat Jim Matheson. Love's announcement came during a speech to several thousand delegates at the Utah Republican Party's annual organizing convention.

“You and I have some unfinished business with Jim Matheson. So combining my confidence in you delegates, with the inspiration you’ve given back to me, we are stronger than ever, and I am certain, we will win,” said Love to applause.

Thomas Wright Ends His Tenure as Utah GOP Chairman

Terry Gildea — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:53:54 +0000

Utah GOP Chairman Thomas Wright gave his final address to Republicans as their state leader on Saturday. Wright called on his fellow party members to be more inclusive.

Thomas Wright announced earlier this year that he would not run for re-election as the state Republican Party leader. At Saturday’s organizing convention, he called on Utah Republicans not to push away groups that may not traditionally embrace conservative values.

Utah Republicans Decide to Keep Party Nomination Process

Andrea Smardon — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:49:27 +0000

Utah Republicans decided at their convention on Saturday to keep their system in place for choosing party nominees. A proposal to raise the percentage of votes needed to avoid a primary sparked heated debate about how best to give lesser-known candidates a fair shot.

Utah GOP Elects James Evans Party Chairman

Terry Gildea — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:43:37 +0000

Utah Republicans elected former state legislator James Evans to lead the state GOP. Evans is the first African-American to hold the post.

Survey Shows GOP Favor Changes to Delegate System

Whittney Evans — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:47:40 +0000

Some members of the Utah GOP Caucus favor changes to the delegate system that could increase the number of primary elections in the state, according to a recent survey. This weekend at the state Republican convention delegates will consider the proposed changes including an increase in the vote threshold candidates must obtain to avoid a primary.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Investigating Attorney General's Office

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:29:18 +0000

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has confirmed that he and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings are looking into whether or not the Utah Attorney General’s office has violated any state laws.

Utah Legislative Committee Discusses Appointing Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:31 +0000

The State Government Operations Interim committee discussed today the possibility of making Utah’s Attorney General an appointed position rather than an elected one.

Utah House Not Yet Discussing Impeachment of Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:48:48 +0000

The Utah legislature is meeting this week for their monthly interim meetings but they don’t plan on discussing the fate or potential impeachment of Attorney General John Swallow.

Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart says she’s concerned about the recent allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow and that they’re looking into how the legislature might address them.

Police Integrity Crucial to WVC Mayor Candidate

Dan Bammes — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:41:25 +0000

Restoring the credibility of West Valley City’s police department is the top priority for Margaret Peterson, who announced her candidacy for mayor of Utah's second-largest city this week.

Lt. Governor to Seek Special Counsel in Swallow Investigation

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:24:27 +0000

Utah Lt. Governor Greg Bell will seek special counsel to investigate three of the 12 allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow that he violated election law.

Salt Lake Boy Scout Officials Will Vote Independently on Gay Ban

Terry Gildea — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:32:46 +0000

Members of the Boy Scouts Great Salt Lake Council met today to discuss how to vote on a proposal to partially lift a ban on gays in the organization. A final vote on the plan will take place at a national meeting later this month.

Utah Governor Wants to Hurry AG Investigation

Dan Bammes — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:48:51 +0000

Utah Governor Gary Herbert wants to see federal authorities hurry up with their investigation of Utah’s attorney general. The governor said this morning that the delay is impacting the Attorney General’s office and the investigation has taken too long.

Valentine Won't Challenge HB 76 Veto

Terry Gildea — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:44:22 +0000

Utah lawmakers are still in the process of deciding whether or not to override Governor Gary Herbert’s veto of House Bill 76. Some who voted for the bill have decided not to challenge the Governor.

Hatch and Lee Vote Against Proceeding With Gun Control Bill

Terry Gildea — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:34:58 +0000

Utah’s Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee voted no today on a motion to proceed with legislation in the U-S Senate that could alter regulations for buying and owning guns.

Chaffetz Calls for Piecemeal Immigration Reform

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:48:01 +0000

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz called for a piecemeal approach to immigration reform while speaking at the Hinckley Institute of Politics today. He says if you want to solve the overall problem you have to start by fixing legal immigration.

“You never ever solve this problem unless you fix legal immigration," he says. "I don’t care how big, far, wide your fence is, if you don’t fix legal immigration you never solve the problem.”

LDS Democrats Announce National Organization

Whittney Evans — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:23:40 +0000

Democrats in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have launched a national organization to promote their political values. Leaders of LDS Democrats of America announced the development during a virtual press conference this morning .

Thomas Wright Not Seeking Re-election as Utah GOP Chairman

Terry Gildea — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:03:23 +0000

Utah Republican Party Chairman Thomas Wright announced today that he will not seek re-election when the state GOP meets in May.

Lee Joins Senators Paul and Cruz Threatening Block of Gun Control Legislation

Terry Gildea — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:06:09 +0000

Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee has joined two other lawmakers who say they will block any legislation dealing with gun control.