The groups - which include Common Cause and the League of Women Voters - sent a letter and resolution to Huntsman this week asking him to appoint a citizens panel that would look at whistle-blower claims and have the power to launch initial investigations of allegations.

Luke Peterson, a Utah Valley State College junior and director of Utah Students for Clean Elections, says the ethics committee would help avoid problems and boost residents' trust in their government.

"Why is it that we always have to wait until after a scandal to do something?" Peterson asked. "Why can't we prevent a scandal before it happens. That makes voters feel more confident in government. That is really essential to voter participation."

Huntsman never formally said he would back an ethics commission during his campaign, though he did say he supported other reforms, including gubernatorial term limits and a "cooling off" period for an executive appointee leaving government to become a lobbyist.

Still, Huntsman's office said the governor would look at the request.

"We appreciate suggestions from citizen groups on how to improve transparency within government," said Michael Mower, the governor's legislative liaison. "But as a general policy we're not anxious to increase the size of government with new boards and commissions."

Lawmakers in past years have defeated proposals for an ethics commission, but the coalition of watchdog groups says the governor could establish it on his own.

The resolution sent to Huntsman cites last year's vehicle-abuse scandal in Salt Lake County government that toppled three high-ranking officials, one of whom served jail time. It also mentioned the current controversy over the firing of Roger Ball, the executive director of the state's Committee of Consumer Services, and the governor's nominee to replace Ball - Leslie Reberg, a longtime politico and former utility lobbyist.

Those items, the resolution states, "have only acted to further erode public trust in state government."

Utah Common Cause Director Anthony Musci says a citizen ethics committee would remove the gamesmanship involved when politicians are the ones hearing claims of ethical violations.

"Most people who pay attention are aware the news has been replete with . . . ethical breaches in government," says Musci. "The problem with ethics transgressions is that complaints are often heard by people who have a stake in the political system and can have agendas of their own."

tburr@sltrib.com