Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Supporters say: Unless text messaging, emails and electronic media are exempted from
GRAMA, a constituent email to you that mentions her child’s medical condition could be made
public, for example.
Truth: GRAMA already has numerous provisions that allow for a sharp distinction between
what constitutes public and private information. A key principle of GRAMA is its "balancing
mechanism" which serves to preserve the public's right to oversee government actions, and
individual privacy.
Supporters say: Legislative leaders said staff have spent more than 400 hours responding to
GRAMA requests in the past 12 months.
Truth: That works out to be 1 hour and 40 minutes per day of ONE legislative employee’s time
of the thousands employed on the Hill over a year. And that’s based on a 40-hour work week.
These hours do not evidence the time it would take to process “many” (John Fellows’ word)
voluminous requests.
Is the right of the people of Utah to know their business, not worth that little time?
Supporters say: Requests are usually from media trying to dig up dirt on legislators
Truth: After HB477 passed the House committee, Rep. Dougall told media attorney Jeff Hunt
the GRAMA requests were from animal activists and others on issues as diverse as feral cats,
the budget and immigration. One filed by The Salt Lake Tribune was for a seven-page social
calendar from each house, which could be photocopied in minutes but took days to obtain. It
provided data for a story about special-interest groups that sponsor meals and entertainment for
lawmakers.
Rule out requests by those interested in feral cats, the budget and immigration, along with
the Tribune request and how many of the EIGHT could even be left?