This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
We said:
— Utah must face its problem of domestic violence — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial, June 16
" Utahns are often referred to as happy, friendly people. Yet the syrupy smiles and overly boisterous small talk mask a more authentic darkness.
"Over the last 16 years, domestic violence homicides accounted for 42 percent of all statewide homicides. That is higher than the national average of 30 percent. ...
" ... Where at least 25 percent of domestic violence abuse is perpetrated by a former boyfriend, a legal definition that excludes such relationships is too limiting, and the Legislature should broaden the definition. ..."
Then we read:
— Sandy police didn't consider threats 'domestic violence' because victim and her eventual killer weren't living together — Jessica Miller | The Salt Lake Tribune, June 20
"In the wake of a June 6 shooting on a Sandy street that left three dead and two injured, the city's police chief said Tuesday that while he is happy with his department's domestic violence protocols, they will re-evaluate their policies.
"One key issue they'll consider, according to Chief Kevin Thacker: Should officers extend their lethality assessment protocol — now only used to assess risk levels for victims in domestic violence situations — to 'intimate partner' relationships, in which the couple isn't married or cohabiting? ..."
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We said:
— Follow governor's path to a special election — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial, May 19
"Utah's 3rd Congressional District is about to devolve into election-law chaos. Unless cooler heads prevail. Like the governor's.
"With Rep. Jason Chaffetz's resignation official (onward and upward for him), the issue of filling his seat has raised questions about how to run the election. The Legislature has threatened to sue the governor, who has, to his credit, refused to call a special session. The governor's response? Sue me. ..."
Then we read:
— Utah lawmakers say Gov. Herbert's special-election process won't withstand legal challenge; United Utah Party plans to sue — Lee Davidson | The Salt Lake Tribune, June 20
"Legislative leaders and their lawyers said Tuesday that the special-election process Gov. Gary Herbert imposed to replace outgoing Rep. Jason Chaffetz is flawed and likely will not withstand any legal challenges.
"The new United Utah Party says it will file suit Wednesday.
"Lawmakers also expressed outrage as they said Herbert bullied the attorney general's office into not releasing a legal opinion on that process requested by legislators — and won't waive assertions of attorney-client privilege that have stopped its release. ..."
[We will have more — said and read — on this later today and in tomorrow's print edition.]
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We said:
— Special service districts again show financial problems — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial, Aug. 16, 2016
"Stop us if you've heard this one: A special government entity cobbled together to provide a particular service for multiple municipalities along the Wasatch Front is in trouble for overspending and undermanaging.
"The office of Utah State Auditor John Dougall is looking into yet another example of how one of these hybrid entities seems to have trouble watching its money. ..."
Then we read:
Utah calls for crackdown on special districts at high risk for fraud and abuse — Lee Davidson | The Salt Lake Tribune, June 20
"A hidden level of Utah government — nearly 500 entities that spend $3.5 billion a year to provide limited services such as water, sewer, recreation, police or fire protection — is rife with 'poor governance and weak oversight,' a new audit says.
"So House Speaker Greg Hughes and Senate President Wayne Niederhauser warned such agencies Tuesday that they will 'aggressively review' their compliance with a new list of best practices suggested by the legislative auditor general's office. ..."