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SALT LAKE CITY — Democrats on a Utah commission considering suing the federal government over ownership of millions of acres of public land in the state are demanding all information pertinent to the potential lawsuit.
Senate Minority Caucus Manager Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, and House Minority Assistant Whip Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, say in a letter to the Utah Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands on Thursday that they have been shut out from vital information needed to make a decision.
Specifically, Dabakis and Briscoe say they want to see an analysis of any defenses and counterarguments to the litigation the Davillier Law Group has recommended. Attorneys for the firm told House Republicans last week that Utah has a sound case that could go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"While they admit that the members of the commission are their clients, they won't discuss the negatives of litigation with us without your direction," the two senators wrote to commission co-chairmen Sen. David Hinkins, R-Orangeville, and Rep. Keven Stratton, R-Orem.
Dabakis and Briscoe say they're concerned that their exclusion might be an attempt to cover facts that lead to a conclusion other than to sue. They are the only Democrats on the eight-person commission.
State leaders have been told the lawsuit could cost as much as $14 million. Gov. Gary Herbert and Attorney General Sean Reyes are still considering whether to take legal action. Herbert last week said the high price tag gives him pause. Email: romboy@deseretnews.com Twitter: dennisromboy
