Latest news with #Pehrson
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will new records director represent Utahns or the government? Cox's nominee advances
The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) After an hourlong hearing on Monday with some airing concerns about perception issues over whether he'll be an unbiased and transparent records czar, a panel of Utah lawmakers voted 5-2 to forward Gov. Spencer Cox's pick for the first-ever director of the state's newly created Government Records Office to the full Senate for a final vote. If confirmed by the Senate, Lonny Pehrson will become a powerful decision-maker over which government records become public — and which ones never see the light of day. He'll be the first person to lead a new office that the Utah Legislature created to replace the 30-year-old, seven-member State Records Committee, which previously decided disputes over public records. Pehrson, who has worked as records counsel for the Utah Attorney General's Office since 2016, appeared before the Senate Government Operations Conformation Committee on Monday to field questions from legislators about what kind of records director he'd be if confirmed to the post. Gov. Cox taps former Utah AG records counsel as new public records director Pehrson said for nearly the last decade he's spent in the Attorney General's Office, 'I have been responsible for overseeing all aspects of compliance' with Utah's open records law, the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). That's what Pehrson said his focus would be — ensuring that government entities are following the law when it comes to which records do or don't get released to the public. 'Over the years, I've had countless discussions with attorneys and officials from all different levels of government regarding records requests,' Pehrson said. 'Quite frequently, my role was to encourage disclosure of records, often when doing so was not necessarily the preferred course of action.' Pehrson added that 'over the years, I have helped prevent many records disputes from arising, which has always been my goal.' But concerns about Pehrson's appointment came from both the left and right, including from a Democratic senator and a conservative advocate. Maryanne Christensen, executive director of the conservative advocacy group Utah Legislative Watch, said the 'biggest problem' with Pehrson's appointment is 'the public perception' given Pehrson has spent a long time working for the executive branch of government. While she acknowledged state officials have applauded him for doing 'a fine job of representing clients,' she said 'the public really worries about who he is going to consider his clients here.' 'He's very accustomed to his clients being government officials,' Christensen said, 'and we need a GRAMA officer that will consider the citizens of Utah (as) their clients, and that they will weigh in on the side of the citizens of Utah. That's a really hard perception to overcome … That's where a lot of the lack of trust comes from.' Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake City, also opposed Pehrson's appointment. While he acknowledged Pehrson is clearly qualified for the position, Blouin said he also shared 'frustrations and concerns' over the 'optics' of selecting someone from the Utah Attorney General's Office, which under former Attorney General Sean Reyes faced criticism for a lack of transparency. 'The optics are just bad,' Blouin said. Pehrson, in his previous role as records counsel for then-Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, argued against releasing Reyes' work calendar in response to requests from local news outlets KSL and The Salt Lake Tribune. In the dispute over those records, the State Records Committee ultimately sided with reporters, and in February a judge ruled that Reyes' official calendar should be released. But the same day as the judge's ruling, the Utah Legislature passed a bill to allow elected officials and government employees the ability to keep their calendars — including work meetings — private moving forward. Reyes didn't seek reelection last year after concerns surfaced over his past relationship with the embattled anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad and its founder, Tim Ballard. Earlier this year, a legislative audit of Reyes' administration concluded that 'insufficient transparency' resulted in 'a lack of accountability for the position of the attorney general.' Pehrson, in his comments in front of Monday's legislative panel, addressed those concerns. 'I recognize and appreciate the concerns that have been expressed about my experience with the Attorney General's Office and whether it might hamper my ability to faithfully carry out this new role,' Pehrson said. 'While understandable, I believe these concerns to be unfounded.' As assistant attorney general, Pehrson said he had an 'ethical obligation to selflessly represent my client to the best of my ability.' 'I have always tried to do this, regardless of whether I agreed personally with the position taken or not,' Pehrson added. 'However, having also worked extensively in a judicial setting, I understand very well the difference between representing a client and acting as a neutral arbiter of disputes.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thus, Pehrson said he didn't believe his time in the Attorney General's Office 'would in any way compromise my ability to lead the Government Records Office or to fairly and impartially decide records disputes that might come before me.' As for who he'd consider his clients, the government or the people of Utah? Pehrson said he'd consider the citizens of the state to be his clients. 'I certainly would make that my goal,' he said. 'I mean, that would be my lodestar as I approach these records issues.' When Blouin pressed Pehrson on what he would do if a conflict of interest arose, Pehrson said he could recuse himself and select someone to serve in his stead. Kenneth Williams, director of the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service and state archivist — who also chaired the State Records Committee up until it was dissolved by the Legislature last month — said he supported Pehrson's nomination. 'Over my career, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Pehrson on many difficult and very nuanced records access issues,' Williams said. Williams added that records disputes have become increasingly more difficult, especially when it comes to electronic records and privacy issues. 'But I can confidently say that Mr. Pehrson is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys practicing in Utah when it comes to records law.' Utah lawmakers look to dissolve, replace State Records Committee. Here's why that matters 'His understanding of GRAMA and other statutes that have to be taken into consideration when considering records access issues is outstanding, and he is one of the leading experts on those issues in the state,' Williams said. 'I've always known him to apply the law fairly, accurately, and as he seeks to represent the interests of his clients, that's a difficult position to be in.' Daniel Burton, general counsel for the Utah Attorney General's Office, also urged lawmakers to approve Pehrson's appointment. Though Burton said he's disappointed to see Pehrson leave, he said he'd be a responsive and professional records director. 'He's always attentive to the statutes. He doesn't put his own finger on the scale,' Burton said. 'There are often political pressures in the GRAMA realm, but Lonny's first and only role in the office was to be as apolitical, publicly minded, and as much a civil servant, an attorney whose job it was to give advice to clients and then represent them in the appropriate forum.' Burton added that 'every conversation we ever had came back to the statutes, to what was written by the Legislature and what appropriate case law affected that statute.' 'He wasn't always able to give exactly what was sought by records requestors, whether because of privacy concerns, ongoing investigations or some sort of record classification required by the statute, but he was always professional in his demeanor in his actions and advice,' Burton said. Sen. Daniel Thatcher — a former Republican from West Valley who recently unaffiliated with the Utah Legislature's dominating party to join the Utah Forward Party — said he opposed SB277, the law that replaced the State Records Committee with a single decision-maker, agreeing that it gave a single person too much power over government transparency issues. However, Thatcher said the matter before the committee Monday wasn't whether SB277 was a good policy or not. Rather, he said lawmakers now need to follow the law that passed and decide whether Pehrson is qualified to fill the post. Thatcher ultimately voted in favor of Pehrson's appointment. The only senators who voted against were Blouin and Sen. Ron Winterton, R-Roosevelt, who also opposed the passage of SB277. Pehrson's appointment now advances to the full Utah Senate for a confirmation vote, which is scheduled to take place during an extraordinary session on June 18. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox taps former Utah AG records counsel as new public records director
The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed a former Utah Attorney General's Office attorney to fill a new role that will be a key decision-maker over which government records do — and don't — become public. Cox picked Lonny Pehrson, who most recently worked as records counsel for the Utah Attorney General's Office, to be the first director of the state's newly created Government Records Office. His nomination will be subject to consent from the Utah Senate. 'We look forward to the Government Records Office streamlining the appeals process and helping Utahns get timely answers to their records requests,' Cox said in a prepared statement. 'Lonny Pehrson's legal expertise and commitment to good governance make him the right person to lead this important effort.' Pehrson said he's 'honored' for Cox's nomination 'and truly appreciate the trust and responsibility it entails.' Utah lawmakers look to dissolve, replace State Records Committee. Here's why that matters 'I look forward to establishing the Government Records Office which will better facilitate access to government records in accordance with the law,' Pehrson said in a prepared statement. Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature voted to approve SB277, which dissolved and replaced the 30-year-old, seven-member State Records Committee with a single decision-maker. At the time, the bill's sponsor, Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, said the change is meant to address 'inefficiencies,' cut down on wait times for records decisions, and replace the State Records Committee with someone with more 'legal experience.' Critics, including media professionals, argued the move would consolidate too much power with one person and lead to less transparency. The Society of Professional Journalists awarded the Utah Legislature its annual Black Hole award for the passage SB277, along with another, HB69, which made it difficult for people who challenge the government over public records denials to recoup their attorney fees. Pehrson, in his new role, will now decide appeals to records requests that have been denied. He'll be responsible for adjudicating records appeals hearings and supervising the Government Records Ombudsman and staff. 'He will also serve as a resource to citizens and governmental entities regarding government records management, ensuring lawful access to records and information, and leading a team that conducts statewide training in records and information management,' a news release issued Monday by the Division of Archives and Records Service said. 'Disregard for transparency': Utah Legislature's public records laws earn it a 'Black Hole' award Pehrson, in his previous role as records counsel for then-Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, argued against releasing Reyes' calendar in response to requests from local news outlets KSL and The Salt Lake Tribune. The State Records Committee ultimately sided with reporters, and in February a judge ruled that Reyes' work calendar should be released. The same day as the judge's ruling, however, the Utah Legislature passed a bill to allow elected officials and government employees the ability to keep their calendars — including work meetings — private moving forward. Reyes didn't seek reelection last year after concerns surfaced over his past relationship with the embattled anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad and its founder, Tim Ballard. Earlier this year, a legislative audit of Reyes' administration concluded that 'insufficient transparency' resulted in 'a lack of accountability for the position of the attorney general.' State leaders, however, applaud Pehrson as an expert in Utah's public records law, the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Kenneth Williams, director of the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service and state archivist, said in a statement that his department is 'thrilled' to welcome Pehrson. 'I have worked with Lonny for several years and know that his expertise in records law and dedication to public service will be invaluable as we continue to ensure appropriate and reliable access to government records for the people of Utah,' Williams said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cox picks former Sean Reyes staffer to lead new public records office
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed a staffer to former Attorney General Sean Reyes as the director of the Government Records Office to replace the seven-member panel that previously ruled on disputes over public records. Lonny Pehrson was appointed as the first director of the newly created office, the Utah Department of Government Operations announced on Monday. He is tasked with adjudicating appeals to public records requests and overseeing daily operations of the office. 'We look forward to the Government Records Office streamlining the appeals process and helping Utahns get timely answers to their records requests,' Cox said. 'Lonny Pehrson's legal expertise and commitment to good governance make him the right person to lead this important effort.' The Government Records Office was created this year by state lawmakers to replace the State Records Committee, a seven-member volunteer panel that used to handle appeals to public records under the state's Government Records Access and Management Act, or GRAMA. Although journalists often use public records in reporting, the vast majority of requests are made by everyday Utahns. The State Records Committee met for the last time in April and public records appeals stalled during the interim. The bill sponsor, Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, argued the new office will be more nimble in responding to requests for public records and that the director would bring a level of legal expertise to the role. Pehrson was appointed to a four-year term. 'I am honored to have been nominated for this position and truly appreciate the trust and responsibility it entails,' he said. 'I look forward to establishing the Government Records Office, which will better facilitate access to government records in accordance with the law.' Pehrson graduated from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law and worked for the U.S. District Courts of Utah and Texas. Most recently, he served as government records counsel for the Utah Attorney General's Office, where he sought to block KSL from obtaining copies of Reyes' work calendar from his time in office. Kenneth Williams, the state archivist and director of the Division of Archives and Records Service, said he is 'thrilled' to welcome Pehrson to the new role. 'I have worked with Lonny for several years and know that his expertise in records law and dedication to public service will be invaluable as we continue to ensure appropriate and reliable access to government records for the people of Utah,' he said.
Local Sweden
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Sweden launches new plan to attract foreign researchers
As part of a long-term plan to attract researchers based outside of Europe to Sweden, the government has tasked the Swedish Research Council with making information about support available to researchers more accessible. Advertisement 'Sweden has fantastic conditions to support researchers outside of Europe who are affected by the ongoing restrictions on academic freedom,' Education Minister Johan Pehrson said, in what appears to be a reference to US President Donald Trump's crackdown on academic freedom in the US. Pehrson recently hosted a roundtable with the goal of discussing recruitment of students and researchers as well as the possible consequences US policy could have on international collaboration and academic freedom. Under the Swedish government's new proposal, the Swedish Research Council will be responsible for publicising and communicating information on the support Sweden offers to researchers based outside of Europe, as well as increasing its dialogue with relevant groups and organisations working in this area. The long-term goal is to make the process of applying for various forms of support in Sweden more predictable, for both researchers and the universities working alongside them. Sweden has launched a number of initiatives in recent months aimed at foreign researchers. Advertisement At the end of April, the government launched an inquiry into protecting academic freedoms in Sweden, and the Swedish Research Council announced a new grant for researchers based outside of Europe, running from April to December this year. Politicians and universities have set their sights on US talent, and on May 3rd, Pehrson wrote in a statement to AFP that US-based researchers are 'welcome'. 'We can offer trust and long-term investments. We've got academic freedom. If you are looking for a place to do your work and contribute to solving global challenges, we value your knowledge," he told AFP. "Our aim is to make it easier for talented individuals to come to Sweden," he added.
Local Sweden
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Swedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson resigns
With less than two years to go until the Swedish election, Liberal leader Johan Pehrson said it was time for him to step down. Advertisement Pehrson announced his decision at a press conference on Monday afternoon. He told reporters it was his decision, but Aftonbladet reports that several regional boards of the struggling party had demanded Pehrson's resignation and that a crisis meeting had been held as late as the past weekend, according to unnamed sources speaking to the tabloid. The party has long failed to improve its polling numbers, with two surveys from April having them at 2.5 and 2.8 percent. Those are the worst figures of any Swedish party, almost half of its result in the 2022 election and well below the parliamentary threshold of 4 percent. Pehrson's announcement comes just weeks after three party heavyweights stepped down within less than 24 hours, apparently independently of each other, including Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg, who said she wanted to spend more time with family. A few days earlier, Carl B Hamilton, the Liberal Party grandee and former MP, had mercilessly laid into Pehrson, calling for him to resign and make way for a successor in an intemperate post on Facebook (now deleted). But despite the party's poor performance in the polls, Pehrson's departure was unexpected, and public broadcaster SVT's home affairs expert Mats Knutsson called it "sensational". His press secretary without notice cut Monday's press conference short with several of Sweden's major media outlets, such as Aftonbladet and Expressen, not being given the opportunity to ask questions. "I am proud of the Liberals which for now is too small a party in a few opinion polls, but we carry Sweden and have influence," Pehrson, 56, said before the press conference ended. "I'm not very old but I am newly married and have led the party through two election campaigns. I have fulfilled my political duty." Advertisement Despite usually aligning with the right wing, the Liberals for several years refused to back a right-wing government dependent on the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats. But a year before the 2022 election, Pehrson's predecessor, Nyamko Sabuni, broke off the January Agreement under which the Liberal Party and Centre Party supported a centre-left prime minister and pulled the party back into opposition. Pehrson took over as leader in April 2022, 24 years after he was first elected to parliament for the party. In 2022, the Liberals controversially joined a government together with the Moderates and Christian Democrats, backed by the Sweden Democrats – drawing criticism both from within the party and from its European counterparts abroad. The party is now set to elect a new leader at an extraordinary meeting on June 24th. Possible successors include Schools Minister Lotta Edholm, Equality Minister Nina Larsson, Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari or Integration Minister Mats Persson.
