Latest news with #UtahStateLaw
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vineyard residents allege city violated state law in complaint against $35M bond, city calls claim ‘unfounded'
VINEYARD, Utah () — The sponsors behind a referendum against a proposed $35 million city bond to help finance a new Vineyard City Center have filed a complaint against the city, claiming officials have used taxpayer resources to oppose the initiative. The city, however, calls the claims 'unfounded.' According to the City of Vineyard, the new city center would be located near a public promenade that includes outdoor spaces such as a playground, amphitheater, and more near Utah Lake. The building itself would be multi-purpose, housing not only city offices but also public spaces for farmer's markets, events, and more. In a letter addressed to the city, Kim Cornelius, one of the referendum's sponsors, said a brief video posted to Facebook answering questions on the proposed city center and a joint statement provided to media outlets — — violates Utah State Law. The law, Cornelius says, from using public funds to influence ballot propositions, including proposed referenda. Key takeaways from the Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rally in SLC 'This prohibition extends to publishing arguments for or against such propositions on public entity websites or social media platforms,' Cornelius wrote in the letter. 'We are also concerned that City of Vineyard resources were used to write and distribute a joint statement from the Mayor and City Council Members that clearly advocate against the referendum and publicly slanders the co-sponsors of the referendum.' The statement in question was . In it, city officials expressed concern that the 'efforts of a small, vocal minority to mislead the public and push for a referendum' could potentially be a waste of city resources and cost the city more in the future. The referendum's sponsors argue that its referendum is about putting the decision into the hands of Vineyard voters. If successful, the referendum would put the $35 million city bond before a vote in November. 'The City has instead tried to tilt the scales,' said David Lauret, a co-sponsor of the referendum. 'All we're asking for is a fair process, the law guarantees that, and we intend to hold them to it.' Where is crime happening? New map shows recent crimes in Salt Lake neighborhoods In the complaint, the referendum's sponsors demanded the city remove 'all advocacy content' from City platforms and issue a public retraction on the statement. The complaint also includes a cease-and-desist on any further advocacy activity and asks for equal platform access for referendum proponents. The City of Vineyard told it takes all legal obligations seriously and is committed to transparency and compliance with the law. That said, city officials said the allegations made by the referendum's sponsors were 'unfounded.' In response, a Vineyard City spokesperson said the videos referenced by the referendum's leaders were pre-prepared before the city received a petition for a referendum and were created as part of the city's formal public engagement process. 'They were not created to influence the outcome of any ballot proposition, but rather to inform the public and solicit input on a project of broad civic importance and for which statutorily required public hearings are part of the process,' the city's statement reads. Garage on Beck is permanently closing its doors, building to be torn down In response to the statement, Vineyard said its views reflect those of elected officials who are permitted under Utah law to express their opinions on matters of public concern, including pending ballot propositions. 'Utah Code allows for such expressions by elected officials,' the statement continues. 'When not made using public funds for advocacy, they are lawful and protected.' Vineyard emphasized that the city center project has strong support from the City Council, with the recent vote to initiate the $35 million bonding process passing with the approval of all but one city council member. 'The City will continue to engage in responsible public communication and ensure that residents have access to accurate, timely, and relevant information about major projects, including the proposed Vineyard Center,' the city's statement concluded. The referendum's sponsors gave the City of Vineyard a 5 p.m. deadline on Monday, April 14, to comply with its demands. If the deadline is not met, the sponsors said they would file a formal complaint with state agencies and possibly seek a lawsuit against the city. The Vineyard City Council is scheduled to meet again to review the proposed $35 million bond on Wednesday, May 14. In addition to finalizing a decision on whether or not to move forward with the hearing, the council will hear from the public during the meeting. White House defends tariffs strategy Man found dead at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park after days-long search Hundreds of officers honored at National Law Enforcement Memorial U.S. and Iran discuss nuclear deal El Salvador's president says he won't return mistakenly deported man Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah's third party political parties announces plans to merge
SALT LAKE CITY () — Utah's third-party political parties – the United Utah Party and Utah Forward Party – to merge into a single party. The two groups would form to become either the 'Utah Forward Party' or the 'United Forward Party,' depending on what is approved by the , to which the Utah Forward Party is affiliated. Both third-party groups said they share common values, including strengthening democracy, improving government efficiency, responsiveness and ethics, and helping the moderate majority become politically organized. '[Utah United Party has] worked tirelessly to give voters a quality third option,' said Adam Teuscher, the chair of the Utah Forward Party. 'They believe that electeds should put the interests of their constituents over those of party bosses. Forward stands for the same, but we do so as part of a 50-state movement. UUP blazed the path and through this merger, we hope to widen it.' Judge over gerrymandering case against Utah legislature asks for clarification over tossing maps The merger has reportedly been months in the works but recently gained momentum after Utah Sen. Daniel Thatcher (UFP-Tooele) in favor of the Utah Forward Party. The two groups won't officially merge until it has been approved by party members of both parties. The United Utah Party and the Utah Forward Party will hold separate votes on the proposed merger on Saturday, April 26. If approved, the two parties will create an interim Executive Committee appointed by existing party leadership to oversee the process of combining separate parties within the bounds of Utah State Law. 'The United Utah Party's long-term vision has always been to start locally and build up a grass-roots political movement in Utah before eventually joining together with similar movements from other states,' said Ladd Johnson, chair of the United Utah Party. 'The proposed merger with the Forward Party is an important and exciting step furthering that vision. We will bring the experience, excellent platform and approach, and dedicated leaders and members of the UUP and combine with the talent, energy, and national presence of the Forward Party.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
