To Sen Daniel McCay and the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
I urge you to vote “No” on SJR2 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution – Statewide Initiatives.
It is exceedingly clear that some members of the Utah legislature do not want to listen to Utah voters as they continue to submit bills that would make it harder for citizens initiatives to be passed. In 2024, HJR14 and its implementing statute HB284 failed when attempting to pass similar language. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore was the Senate Floor Sponsor for those failed bills, and is now the 2025 Bill Sponsor of SJR2.
Citizen Initiatives are literally a tool for “We the People” to have a voice when our representatives don’t effectively represent its citizens. The resolution introduced this week is seeking to take away legislative power from Utah citizens, and give that authority to the Utah legislature. Keep in mind that if this passes, state legislators are TAKING AWAY POWER from Utah voters. Powers to introduce important legislation. Powers to approve constitutional amendments. Powers that belong to us unless we give them away.
There is a REASON that Citizens Initiatives exist. Our LAST AND SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT privilege is to raise a vote to the people when our representatives either lack political will or (in Utah) suffer under a super majority that obstructs the people’s will. Republican leadership wants to change the Utah constitution to limit the will of the people, and effectively neuter Citizen Initiatives by making it harder for initiatives to pass, and allowing the legislature to override successful ballot measures.
Lincoln Fillmore is my Senator, and he does not represent my voice, or other voting constituents in Senate District 17 with this bill.
Gregory Green, Resident
Senate District 17
South Jordan, Utah