In an interim Legislative committee meeting Wednesday, Daw proposed legislation to post finance reports for Utah's local races - including school board and city council slots - on the state's Web site.

"I talked to friends on the Orem City Council, and there, you have to file a paper report and it gets filed away," Daw said. "If someone wants to see it, they have to go to the recorder's office and get a paper copy."

That was fine in 1960, but times have changed, Daw reasoned.

Now, even local campaigns involve more money, he said, and voters need to be able to track those dollars.

Lincoln Shurtz, director of legislative affairs for the Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in qualified support for Daw's concept.

"It has some merit" - if the information is warehoused on the state's Web site, the candidate is responsible to file and no fees are imposed, he said.

Rep. Jennifer Seelig, a Salt Lake City Democrat, applauded Daw's effort.

"Anytime we can make government more transparent, it's beneficial," Seelig said.

But Sen. Michael Waddoups, a West Jordan Republican, did not share their fervor.

"Some don't have Internet access, some are uncomfortable using it and sometimes it's ineffective," he said.

Daw will create a draft bill for the Political Subdivision Committee's discussion.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com