SB 144 really has me stumped. I just don’t know what to think about it.
The national experience of the past eight years has made me nervous about anything which looks like executive overreaching. It doesn’t quite seem right for the Governor to take upon himself decisions involving taxation or legislation. I believe in the principle that those matters rest in the legislative branch, and that the separation of powers must be maintained.
On the other hand, I have no faith whatsoever in the Utah legislature’s ability to maintain a sensible balance of power. Their track record is one of perpetual power grabbing and pettiness (do they really expect us to believe them when they assure us this is not merely payback for Governor Huntsman’s Western Regional Climate Action Initiative agreement?). Is this really about restoring a balance of power, or establishing a pecking order among the powers?
An interesting quandry.
Tags: 2008 Utah legislature, balance of powers, executive power, Governor Huntsman, Western Regional Climate Initiative
A Liberal Mormon 
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