Don't go down that slippery slope

In the editorial "The high ground," The Tribune Editorial Board commends the Draper City Council for delaying approval for hundreds of new homes high on the city's southeast hillside. Scientists with the Utah Geological Survey say the property is on an old landslide that could slip again. The city could be left holding the bag for legal liability. That, and concern for future homeowners' safety, are good reasons to delay.

Tuesday

Utah County should get on board

In "Going it alone," the board is suspicious of legislation that would allow a local government to set up a service district for transportation when an existing district - Utah Transit Authority - already is supplying that service. A Utah County issue, the bill was spawned by dissatisfaction with UTA bus service there. But Utah County has been slow to tax itself at the same level as the rest of the UTA service area, and it stands to reason that if you pay less, you are going to get less service. Blaming UTA is counterproductive.

Wednesday

Problems of the poor are our problems

With a hefty $1.7 billion budget surplus, the lean-year arguments against funding services for the poor and disabled don't hold up this year. The editorial "Serving the poor" points out that funding requests to boost children's health insurance, provide more affordable housing, pay for dental and vision benefits for the most vulnerable Medicaid patients and help the disabled would cost a tiny fraction of the massive surplus. Government has a duty to help those less fortunate, the board argues.

Thursday

RDAs by other names

The board advocates passage of House Bill 365, which would return the power of eminent domain to what are now called Community Development and Renewal Agencies. Its provisions would protect private property while allowing agencies to jump-start new development in blighted urban areas. That's a legitimate public good that RDAs have achieved repeatedly in Utah in the past, and they should be allowed to continue.

Friday

Trouble with ATV written all over it

In "Legislating chaos," the editorial board argues that House Bill 425, allowing all-terrain vehicles on all roads outside Salt Lake County, is an invitation to trouble - for the environment, other drivers and ATV enthusiasts, as well. Even with required safety features, ATVs are hard to see, hard to handle, and too noisy for quiet neighborhoods. They're likely to be tipping and flipping and flying around. Rep. Mike Noel's motivation for the bill is not only to open more land to ATV riders but to put the state at odds with federal land managers who don't want ATVs destroying sensitive terrain and give the counties cover for lawsuits. And that's a recipe for trouble of a different kind.