Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- State Rep. Greg Hughes, who will become the first legislator on the Utah Transit Authority board of directors next month, hopes he will be able to ease tensions between the UTA and the Legislature.
The Draper Republican was appointed to the board by Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, Draper Mayor Darrell Smith and Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger. The three cities share a single UTA board representative.
Some influential legislators have sought more legislative control of the UTA's budget and operations.
Some also contend that board members, who are appointed by cities and counties based on population, are not as accountable to the general public as they should be.
However, Hughes said, "It's a quasi-governmental entity. Most government entities have representatives elected by the people."
Hughes said having a lawmaker on the board gives the legislative branch some clout during early decision-making but also will allow him to present the UTA's point of view and perhaps head off problems.
"There always has been a tense relationship between the Legislature and UTA and the UTA board," Hughes said. "I think what you'll find in the end is my participation can only be a positive."
Until 2004, elected officials were prohibited from serving as UTA board members.
That year, legislators overturned that prohibition and shortened board members' terms from three years to two years, while allowing them to serve more consecutive terms. The Legislature also required the UTA to circulate its annual budget proposal to every lawmaker and municipal entity in its service area for preliminary approval.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
