As the 1998 session of the Utah State Legislature advances, two legislative trends are emerging - one toward limiting the size and power of government and a stronger one toward expanding government.
Several bills target accountability for government activity and impact.
Sections of House Bill 97, for instance, have the potential to return a sense of accountability to Utah's public servants and agencies for their actions. If perjury or a false statement were proven, the court would be required to force the governmental entity to take disciplinary action against the employee. Another strong measure would be taken through Senate Bill 88, which would take a significant step toward understanding the devastating impact of government regulation on the business community. This bill would require rule-making agencies to consider the fiscal impact a rule may have on businesses. Perhaps this consideration, especially if provided to the public, would halt some of the regulation that tends to cripple segments of Utah's economy.