The residents of Utah need to be aware that the state Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (OLFA) states that they “assist elected officials in managing the State’s long-term fiscal health by monitoring obligations, measuring risk, and planning contingencies.” Further, they state their objectives as valuing “honesty, integrity, accountability, professionalism, equality, open mindedness, mutual respect, dialogue, independence, flexibility, innovation, opportunity, intellectual enrichment, and personal and professional relationships.”
With such broad responsibilities, and the department’s stated objectives for integrity, accountability and open-mindedness, why is it then, that their work and their records are “protected” under Utah Code Section 63G-2-305(30), which means that they can never be revealed to citizens, even with a GRAMA request?
The vital work of this office, which ultimately determines how much we as citizens are taxed, is sealed behind Utah law and is never allowed to be examined by We the People.
If, as their stated objectives explain, they are subject to accountability, why is it that their work is done under a protected cloak of darkness? What is it that they have to hide?
Mark Hurst, St. George
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible