FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Katie Christensen, Sutherland Institute

kchristensen@sutherlandinstitute.org

(801) 355-1272

Governor Huntsman to Sign Bill to Increase Government Transparency

Sutherland Institute Releases New Research Showing Potential Savings from New Law

Salt Lake City, UT – May 9, 2008 – Based on research conducted by the Sutherland Institute, Utah taxpayers could potentially see a yearly savings in excess of $100,000 once SB 38: Transparency in Government Finance is fully implemented. Governor Huntsman will sign the bill on Monday, May 12 at 2:00 pm at the Department of Workforce Services.

The Sutherland-supported bill requires the state to set up a website that will “provide access to financial reports, financial audits, budgets, and other financial documents” free of charge to all Utahns. In conjunction with the bill’s signing, Sutherland has issued a new report: Transparency in Government that highlights the potential for significant savings and increased public awareness that Utah’s new transparency bill will facilitate.

“When the light of public inquiry is allowed to shine on government finances, liberty is preserved, representative government is strengthened, and responsible governance is encouraged,” said Derek Monson, policy analyst for Sutherland. “We commend Senator Niederhauser’s efforts to enact policy that uses current technology to put information about state spending just a click away for the average Utahn.”

Sutherland’s new report discusses in detail the benefits of the legislation to Utah and makes the case for continuing to broaden the scope of SB 38, which currently only applies to the state government while exempting cities, counties, and most educational institutions from providing information to the website. Some of the reports highlights include the increased good governance, easy access to state spending habits, significant financial benefits to Utah taxpayers, and better fraud prevention capability.

The full report can be downloaded at http://www.sutherlandinstitute.org/uploads/transparencyingovernment.pdf.

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About Sutherland

The Sutherland Institute is a conservative public policy think tank committed to shaping Utah law and policy based on a core set of governing principles. The Institute strives to make Utah an example of good government for the rest of the nation and a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Additional information about Sutherland can be found at www.sutherlandinstitute.org.