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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Common Cause of Utah has dissolved, leaving the state without the national watchdog group that monitors state lawmakers.
"We have kind of run out of resources and run out of steam," said Tony Musci, board chairman of Common Cause of Utah. "Nobody had the time to step up and take the ball."
Musci said his responsibilities as a doctor at LDS Hospital left him with little time to lead the all-volunteer group.
Common Cause is a national organization that promotes open and accountable government. Utah's chapter organized in 1972 and was instrumental in creating open meeting, public record and lobbyist disclosure laws.
Musci said Common Cause of Utah has faded over the last decade. The Utah chapter lost its paid director and fundraising became difficult after the national organization cut back most financial support in 1995 and focused more on the federal government.
"I don't know if there is anyone to replace them," House Minority Leader Ralph Becker said.
Part-time lobbyist Claire Geddes, the former leader of the Utah Legislative Watch, said it was sad to see another citizens' group disband. Utah Legislative Watch dissolved a few years ago.
"We have so much lobbying by the corporations. The public has less and less input every year," Geddes said. "The only leveling of the playing field was these groups."
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
