Rep. Ross Romero of Salt Lake City has introduced a bill that would require the elected auditor of first class counties (which in Utah is only Salt Lake County) to be a CPA. The effective date is 2010, which gives Thomas enough time to earn a CPA license. Thomas' Democratic election opponent, Peter Stevens, is a CPA.
Romero says the bill has nothing to do with politics, just sound policy.
Thomas, while campaigning on the notion the auditor does not need to be a CPA, felt it was necessary to hire a lobbyist who was a CPA. The job description suspiciously fit the credentials of a close political ally, but the search for a lobbyist was scratched after it was revealed county ethics rules prohibit giving a contract to someone who made a campaign contribution to a county candidate within the previous six months - disqualifying Thomas' choice.
Romero has introduced a companion resolution to his bill to change the constitution to require the state auditor also to be a CPA. That requirement would have precluded the Democratic candidate in 2004 from being on the ballot.
No experience necessary: Rep. Peggy Wallace, R-West Jordan, is the sponsor of the so-called "shame" bill that would do away with no-fault divorces, requiring a specific reason and assigning blame. She wants to make divorce more difficult and encourage couples to work it out.
Wallace has never been married.
Topsy-turvy: On the Senate floor this year, Republicans are on the left side and Democrats are on the right.
It is said the Republican majority opted for the left side in the new building because it is closer to the break room and the lavatories - and it's farther away from the public gallery.
The new digs also allow the public's so-called representatives to take an exclusive passageway from their parking lot to their offices to avoid any contact with the public.
Freudian slip: A flier advertising a Utah Apartment Association membership meeting held this week noted the meeting would feature an explanation of legislation affecting landlords, and suggestions on how to deal with retaliatory complaints from disgruntled tenants.
The headline on the flier: "Legislative Update; How to deal with difficult people."
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Paul Rolly welcomes e-mail at prolly@sltrib.com.
