Miss: Tesla Terrorism
As governor, Spencer Cox has a unique opportunity to speak out for the people he serves. We have yet to see it. Instead, he appears to get his marching orders from a higher authority—and it's not God. Most recently, he's been excoriating protesters—sort of. "People should protest to their heart's content—and they should be imprisoned for any property damage or breaking of any laws," Cox was quoted in the Deseret News. He was, of course, talking about attacks on Tesla dealerships and automobiles. Our senior senator, Mike Lee, calls it all "domestic terrorism." How soon they forget. There's a Facebook meme circulating that says it well: "Those people aren't attacking Tesla dealerships. They are tourists showing love. I learned that on January 6, 2021." The thing is, no one has been hurt or killed in the Tesla-sphere. No worries because, if they were, the president would simply pardon them.
Hit: Tough Crowds
Speaking of protests—goferit! Politico reports that House Republicans are being discouraged from holding town halls because of all the anger over DOGE and co-president Elon Musk. Utah Reps. Celeste Maloy, Mike Kennedy and Blake Moore got a taste of that at their recent gatherings, with shouts of "Do your job" and "What do you think checks and balances are?" Moore, who is co-chair of the DOGE caucus (whatever that is) witnessed some 300 protesters chanting and raising signs. But he says he "understands" their frustration. Sure he does. That's why Congress has stood by while hundreds of federal workers are being fired and crucial services are being cut, while the president thinks of ways to disregard court orders and, frankly, good sense. Meanwhile, Sen. Lee seems to be using X/Twitter as his town hall and is thinking a virtual one might be safest until the administration is able to eliminate that pesky free-speech thing.
Miss: Government Secrets
Now for the people's right to know—or not. The governor was not impressed by 200 emails asking to leave Utah's government records process alone. Two bills passed the Legislature that would change and ultimately weaken Utah's Government Records and Management Act (GRAMA). One would eliminate the State Records Committee, replacing it with an appointed attorney. The other makes it more difficult to challenge denials and recoup fees. Records requesters can only recoup their attorney fees if they can prove the government acted in bad faith when records were initially denied. Not every citizen needs to use GRAMA, but those who do shouldn't face insurmountable barriers. And for that reason, the Legislature "won" the Society of Professional Journalists' Black Hole Award. Good job, Utah Legislature, in your efforts to keep the public out of its own business.