Brian King on Government Reform

	Brian King on Government Reform

Legislature should not overturn ballot initiatives

Cox and King volleyed about whether Utahns should approve a constitutional amendment proposed in an emergency special session giving lawmakers unfettered power to repeal or amend voter-passed initiatives.

King said he would vote against the amendment in November, but Cox remained coy as to where he sits on it. "The governor doesn't have an opportunity to weigh in on constitutional amendments," Cox said, while insisting the power to run ballot initiatives must remain available.

"The governor is deceiving you in the same way the Legislature is," King responded.

While answering questions from reporters after the debate, Cox refused to give a direct answer as to whether he will vote "for" or "against" Amendment D. "If I could have written it, I would have done some things differently," Cox said, adding, "I think on balance, it's worth supporting, but it's close."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race , Sep 11, 2024

Limit state AG's ability to file amicus briefs outside Utah

King has filed H.B. 232, which would limit the powers of the state attorney general by requiring them to get the governor's permission to file an amicus curare brief or join in legal matters outside of Utah. [Attorney General Sean] Reyes joined 17 other state attorneys general in seeking to overturn the election results in swing states that Trump lost. King's bill would put a check on Utah's attorney general office and limit the power that position holds. Source: Daily Utah Chronicle on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race , Feb 10, 2021

Bill overturned local bans of entire breeds of dogs

All breeds of dogs, including pit bulls, are now legal statewide. The law, sponsored by King, notes that all risks in society cannot be negated and allows for citizens to decide what dog is best for their family. The focus is now on the behavior of certain dogs, rather than specific breeds.

"It became evident to me that for numerous reasons," King said, "this idea that we can target an entire breed and outlaw them in a city or town, that was a bad idea."

Source: St. George News on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race , Jan 5, 2015

Keep restrictions on government records access

HB477: This bill modifies provisions of the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) relating to government records.

Deseret News summary: Utah lawmakers repealed a widely criticized law restricting access to many government records. The [repealed] bill largely exempted the Legislature and several forms of electronic communication, allowed for increased fees for records requests and erased language favoring openness. Gov. Herbert called the Legislature into special session to reconsider the bill after a huge public outcry galvanized the community. In a statement afterward, the governor said, "As the Legislature re-examines Utah's GRAMA statutes [for further changes, I hope they'll], protect the public's right to know, protect an individual/s legitimate right to privacy, and protect taxpayer dollars."

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-6-0 on Mar/7/11; Passed House 42-29-4 on Mar/7; State Rep. Brian King voted NO; Signed by Governor on Mar/8.

Source: Deseret News on Utah legislative voting records HB477 , Mar 7, 2011

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*Other governors on Government Reform:*			*Brian King on other issues:*
*UT Gubernatorial:* Phil Lyman Spencer Cox *UT Senatorial:* Allen Glines Austin Searle Brad Wilson Caroline Gleich Evan McMullin John Curtis Mike Lee Mitt Romney Trent Staggs	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]