Citizens in Charge

One initiative and referendum expert finds recent legislative action disturbing. “I am very troubled by it,” said Attorney Lisa Watts Baskin, referring to Sen. Howard Stephenson’s SB275 which passed both chambers in partisan fashion — most Republicans liked it, Democrats did not. Republicans outnumber Democrats more than two to one in Utah’s statehouse, so the measure passed with a two-thirds majority and can take effect as soon as Gov. Gary Herbert signs it — or on April 1 without his signature. A veto could drag the process out further.