This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill that would prohibit voter initiatives to be used for changes in land use and prohibit voters from requiring land use ordinances to be submitted to voters.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, said some residents have chosen to create an initiative instead of sue to stop a land developer from building in a certain area. He disagreed with the tactic and the bill passed its first Senate floor vote unanimously.
"Owning property is the holy grail of America, and it's really being subverted by these kinds of things," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, in reference to such initiatives.
The Senate needs to vote on the bill one more time before moving to the House.
- Sheena McFarland
