By Jenny Brundin
Salt Lake City, UT –
Gubernatorial candidate Peter Corroon's campaign plans to air news spots next week focusing on the need for campaign contribution caps and prohibiting state contractors from donating to campaigns. The spots come after a report broadcast on KSL TV describing the timing of donations to Governor Gary Herbert's campaign and favorable state decisions. In one case, an I-15 contractor who made donations was later awarded a $1.75 billion dollar contract. A medical supplier who made a large donation was awarded a $4.3 million dollar state tax credit a month later. Peter Corroon:
"I think the state of Utah should prohibit state contractors from giving large donations to elected officials, pure and simple," he said. "It takes out the question of pay to play or whether an elected official is being influenced by money if we do that."
Governor Herbert has said there is no connection between donations and state decisions, and says he doesn't make the decisions on who gets tax credits or contracts. While Corroon has not limited donations to his campaign, he says as county Mayor, he implemented tough campaign restrictions and would do the same as Governor. Herbert does not support donation limits.