Utah is at a crossroads. For decades, our state has prided itself on maintaining a balanced and thoughtful approach to governance — one that carefully considers the will of the people while ensuring that laws enacted serve the broader public good. However, the delicate balance of our system is now under serious threat, and the consequences could be far-reaching if we do not act decisively.
This is why I strongly support Amendment D, a proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution that would ban foreign contributions to initiatives in Utah and reaffirm the Utah Legislature’s authority to exercise legislative review on passed initiatives.
Opponents of the amendment argue that the fears of Utah turning into California — a state notorious for governance by initiative and the unintended consequences that follow — are overblown and far-fetched. They couldn’t be more incorrect. The floodgates for initiatives have already been opened. A recent Utah Supreme Court decision has already set a dangerous precedent, and the first signs of the coming deluge are upon us.
On Aug. 19, a new initiative was filed that seeks to further lower the threshold for initiatives and referendums in Utah. This initiative is not only a reaction to the court’s decision, but it also exploits the exact language used by the court to push for an even more radical change. The proposal would drastically reduce the number of signatures needed to qualify an initiative for the ballot, from the current requirement of 8% of active voters statewide to just 1%. This is not just a minor tweak; it is a fundamental restructuring of how direct democracy functions in our state.
The proposed initiative goes further, mandating that all initiatives be made available for signing online. This sounds convenient, but the implications are profound. Imagine this: An initiative to legalize sports gambling is flashed on the Jumbotron at a college football game, complete with a QR code that allows thousands of spectators to sign it in real-time from their seats. In a matter of minutes, a measure with potentially massive implications for every Utah resident could qualify for the ballot. This is a very real possibility under the proposed rules.
Some may dismiss this as an unlikely scenario, but the truth is that the threat of Utah becoming California is not just real; it is imminent. In California, initiatives have led to a system where complex and far-reaching policies are put to voters, who often lack the time, resources and context to fully understand the complicated issues they are asked to decide. The result has been a state hamstrung by conflicting laws, budget crises and an inability to govern effectively. We cannot allow Utah to follow in those footsteps.
The truth is, some in Utah know they cannot pass their progressive agenda through a Legislature that reflects the will of a majority conservative state. So they are trying to do it by creating their own system of governance by initiative.
Amendment D is not about restricting the voice of the people. It is about ensuring that the process of lawmaking remains thoughtful, deliberate and accountable. By banning foreign contributions, we protect our system from outside influences that do not have Utah’s best interests at heart. By reaffirming the Legislature’s authority to review passed initiatives, we ensure that all laws are consistent, practical and beneficial to the state as a whole.
The initiative process has its place, but it must be safeguarded against abuse and manipulation. If we fail to pass Amendment D, we are inviting chaos into our legislative process. The proposed initiative is just the beginning — a sign of what is to come if we do not act now.
Let us learn from California’s mistakes, not repeat them. Let us protect Utah’s future by supporting Amendment D.
(Rick Bowmer | The Associated Press) In this Feb. 12, 2018, photo, Utah Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop speaks on the Senate floor at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City.
Rob Bishop is the former congressman representing Utah’s 1st District and a former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives.
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