Comments on: Republican Caucus http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/ Representing Utah House District 20 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:07:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rich Humpherys http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Rich Humpherys Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:14:32 +0000 http://www.utahbecky.com/?p=12#comment-22 Becky, I appreciate the strong stand that you are taking regarding ethics reform. I add my support to Ralph's, that we should have at least a year after leaving public office before one can be paid as a lobbyist. Ralph mentions Mark Walker. An even stronger example is Greg Curtis, House Speaker, who immediately after passing the baton to his successor, started to lobby legislators in behalf of the cigarette giant Phillip Morris regarding the proposed cigarette tax. There is something wrong when someone, especially an influential person like Mr. Curtis, can be bought and paid to immediately lobby when he still has the afterglow of his office to influence others. Becky, I appreciate the strong stand that you are taking regarding ethics reform. I add my support to Ralph’s, that we should have at least a year after leaving public office before one can be paid as a lobbyist. Ralph mentions Mark Walker. An even stronger example is Greg Curtis, House Speaker, who immediately after passing the baton to his successor, started to lobby legislators in behalf of the cigarette giant Phillip Morris regarding the proposed cigarette tax. There is something wrong when someone, especially an influential person like Mr. Curtis, can be bought and paid to immediately lobby when he still has the afterglow of his office to influence others.

]]> By: Ralph Johnson http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Ralph Johnson Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:06:05 +0000 http://www.utahbecky.com/?p=12#comment-21 The other one that was discussed during the town meeting was a moratorium on becoming a lobbyist like Mark Walker just did. In other words, there ought to be a "cooling off" period from the time someone leaves public service, and the time he goes back on the hill as a lobbyist. Dan Liljenquist also talked about the problem with corporations "reporting" what the have gifted. As an example, he said that the local newspapers put stacks of the daily issues at the doors to the Senate chambers. They inflate the price and report these as "gifts" yet he makes a point not to take any. He gets invited to parties, and yet even if he doesn't go, or use the Jazz ticket, or fly to Bermuda (he didn't say that), it still may show as gifts. It was a very interesting meeting. I learned a lot from Becky's constituents, as well as from our elected leaders. The other one that was discussed during the town meeting was a moratorium on becoming a lobbyist like Mark Walker just did. In other words, there ought to be a “cooling off” period from the time someone leaves public service, and the time he goes back on the hill as a lobbyist.

Dan Liljenquist also talked about the problem with corporations “reporting” what the have gifted. As an example, he said that the local newspapers put stacks of the daily issues at the doors to the Senate chambers. They inflate the price and report these as “gifts” yet he makes a point not to take any. He gets invited to parties, and yet even if he doesn’t go, or use the Jazz ticket, or fly to Bermuda (he didn’t say that), it still may show as gifts.

It was a very interesting meeting. I learned a lot from Becky’s constituents, as well as from our elected leaders.

]]> By: Becky http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Becky Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:52:06 +0000 http://www.utahbecky.com/?p=12#comment-11 Matt, I strongly support the following reforms: 1. Ban on all gifts. 2. Ban on personal use of campaign contributions. 3. Institution of an independent ethics commission (see Gov. Huntsmans recent ethics reform commission at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705279668,00.html) 4. Limits on use of campaign funds following retirement from legislative service. I do think we will see several bills that address this during the session. We can and should do better in this area. Matt,
I strongly support the following reforms:
1. Ban on all gifts.
2. Ban on personal use of campaign contributions.
3. Institution of an independent ethics commission (see Gov. Huntsmans recent ethics reform commission at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705279668,00.html)
4. Limits on use of campaign funds following retirement from legislative service.
I do think we will see several bills that address this during the session. We can and should do better in this area.

]]> By: Jayne Edwards http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Jayne Edwards Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:37:16 +0000 http://www.utahbecky.com/?p=12#comment-10 I am so excited for you! I know that you are going to definitely do wonderful things. I can't wait to see what a difference you can make as you take care of business on the hill. I love you a lot! Love your daughter, Jaynie I am so excited for you! I know that you are going to definitely do wonderful things. I can’t wait to see what a difference you can make as you take care of business on the hill. I love you a lot!
Love your daughter, Jaynie

]]> By: Matt Magilke http://www.utahbecky.com/blog/2008/12/republican-caucus/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Matt Magilke Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:34:01 +0000 http://www.utahbecky.com/?p=12#comment-6 Becky, I'm looking forward the ethics reform you discuss above. You wrote in a response to an email I sent you prior to the election, that you would not accept any campaign contributions from special interest groups. Nor would you accept any favors or gifts if elected. I believe it is important that all elected officials are held to this same standard. Anything less is just lip service and would be considered a failure of real ethics reform in Utah. Becky,
I’m looking forward the ethics reform you discuss above. You wrote in a response to an email I sent you prior to the election, that you would not accept any campaign contributions from special interest groups. Nor would you accept any favors or gifts if elected. I believe it is important that all elected officials are held to this same standard. Anything less is just lip service and would be considered a failure of real ethics reform in Utah.

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