'A blatant power grab': Emails show virtually no support for public records bills

SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday he'll sign two public records bills that could impact Utahns' ability to get information on the government.

As the bills made their way through the Legislature this year, they generated significant public interest.

To find out what feedback key lawmakers were receiving about the bills, KSL-TV asked for and received correspondence about the proposals through a public record request.

'Utter insanity'

The KSL Investigators analyzed 1,200 pages of those emails mentioning either of two bills: HB69, which in part protects the government from reimbursing your legal fees if you win a public records case in court, and SB277, which replaces the state records committee with a judge appointed by the governor.

The overwhelming message from Utahns across the political spectrum was against the changes to the public records law. Those most concerned about the changes described them as "a blatant power grab," "a harsh disgusting law," "garbage" and even "utter insanity."

Of the more than 200 people who sent the emails, three backed SB277, while none voiced support for HB69, according to KSL-TV's review of their communication with members of two committees who heard the original bills.

The Utah League of Cities and Towns said it would make things more efficient, writing that the change would create more "efficient outcomes for government entities and members of the public."

The Utah Chiefs of Police and the Nebo School District also indicated their support.

But the vast majority were against the bills. KSL shared that information with the governor Thursday, asking if he still plans on signing the bills into law.

"I think it's best for the state, it's best for state government. I think it's best for the people," Cox said.

The governor, who's responsible for appointing the judge overseeing public records appeals going forward, said, "Two hundred emails is nothing in state government … I get 200 emails in an hour."

Overwhelming message

The No. 1 factor people expressed anger and frustration over in the emails was getting rid of the seven-member committee that hears appeals and replacing it with a single person deciding the records cases.

Sen. Mike McKell, who sponsored SB277, told KSL he believes the new model will speed up the appeals process.

"I'm more confident than ever that this will be a success," McKell, R-Spanish Fork, told KSL. "A year from now, people will better appreciate the change. The previous system was inefficient and flawed. We heard from citizens and stakeholders that the process was broken, and multiple audits highlighted areas for improvement."

McKell said he addressed many Utahns' concerns when he changed an early version of the bill to ensure that the potential benefits of releasing a particular record to the public would remain a key consideration in settling these disputes.

Some Utahns still have concerns. Joan Gregory, a resident of Salt Lake City, is among the 200 people who wrote to lawmakers in February, hoping her voice opposing the changes would make a difference.

"I would think that that's a lot of people who are speaking up," Gregory said.

"That felt lousy," she said after learning that the notes she and others wrote to their representatives didn't sway the governor.

One mind changed

Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Millcreek, who sits on one of those committees, said the emails he received from Gregory and others did have an impact on his vote.

While Blouin voted "yes" in committee, the Democrat from Millcreek changed his vote in the full Senate.

"There was a lot of people reaching out, and I think that's something you've got to listen to," Blouin said.

Gregory hopes whoever Cox eventually nominates for the job hears her message.

Said Gregory: "We have a right to know about what is going to impact our lives."

Contributing: Brian Carlson

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