For the better part of the past year I’ve served as a  member on the Governor’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy.  No one acquainted with the people appointed to this body would deny that the majority membership of this Commission, created by former Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., has decidedly left-leaning tendencies (that’s what happens when the creator is the appointer).  And, when the majority of the state’s electorate and legislature is a significantly right-leaning population (2/3 majority in both Houses), it’s important to measure outcomes and recommendations with a spoonful of reality.

Bi-partisan Commissions by their bureaucratic nature are inefficient.  Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb (both Commisioners) in their latest Sunday column in the Deseret News, praised the Commission as an exception to the rule.  I would agree.  Chair Kirk Jowers kept everyone on point.  Talented staff and attorneys productively and  logically organized each meeting.  (Remember, all this was a volunteer effort by Commissioners and staff.)  Members of the commission were civil and attentive to eachother and the issues.  However, the political spectrum of  Commissioners’ views varied as much as republican red does from democrat blue.

The Commission has concluded it’s business.  Recommendations of the Commission will now find their way to Governor Gary Herbert’s office for serious and thoughtful consideration.  At this point, the Governor has several options while considering the Commission’s recommendations (and probably a few more that I haven’t thought of).   #1 – Because this Commission was NOT his creation and because some believe Gary Herbert is significantly more conservative than his predecessor, he can blame the outcomes of the Commission on that predecessor, thank the Commission for its fine work and dump the Commission’s recommendations in the “round file.”  No harm…no foul.  #2 – Since a number of thoughtful recommendations, more politically palatable, and not in opposition to his own personal political philosophies have been suggested by the Commission, the Governor can decide to harvest the “best and brightest” ideas…and then…toss the remaining recommendations in the “round file.”  #3 – The Governor may choose to accept all the recommendations of the Commission, abandoning his own personal positions (including his distaste for Campaign Finance Limits), and find a suitable Legislative Sponsor to carry a bill(s) to pass the Commission’s recommendations into law through the 2010 General Legislative Session.  (Note: bill files have already been requested for several of the Commission’s recommendations by Rep. Craig Frank, Senator Scott Jenkins, and Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, all members of the Commission.)

Recommendations, as approved by the Commission, should be vetted through the Legislative process.  The deliberative findings of the Commission should be passed to the People’s representatives for further debate, public hearings, and a procedural vote.  If the Governor doesn’t care for what the legislature has done with his Commission’s recommendations…VETO.  (It’s one of the beauties of being the Chief Executive of the State of Utah.)  The legislative, time-tested process is designed to give all parties in a political argument an opportunity to debate equitably.  And, yes, sometimes people are passionate about their feelings, thoughts, and opinions.  That’s OK!  But, community debate occurs in a controlled, procedural environment.  And, then by Constitutional and Statutory vote by the People’s representatives, the Majority wins in a Democracy.  It’s simple and fair.

The Commission was charged to make recommendations to the Governor on how Utah might increase voter participation and enhance the voting “experience.”  The Commission has fulfilled it’s charge.  Three areas of focus were given to the Commission for study: elections, lobbying, and campaign finance.    Numerous vital and important recommendations in each of these “focus” areas were adopted by Commission Resolution and will be forwarded on to Governor Herbert for further consideration.  Governor Herbert will do what he feels is in the best interest of the citizens of the State of Utah – of that I’m sure.  And, after the process is complete, the People of this state will have greater transparency and more access to their elected leaders through the political process than ever before.