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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is defending his decision to drop legislative ethics and redistricting from a panel meant to strengthen democratic participation in the state.
Huntsman told reporters Thursday that the Legislature needs to be involved in the processes. He says lawmakers passed ethics reform legislation during this year's session and will continue studying the issue.
While House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, has said he asked Huntsman to stop the Commission on Strengthening Utah's Democracy from pursuing the two issues, the governor says he wasn't bowing to legislative pressure.
Huntsman notes the Legislature has jurisdiction over the two issues. He says he originally asked the commission to look at the topics to help build confidence among voters.
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Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
