Quote:
Originally Posted by bob rulz
This highlights how imperative it is to work hard to get urban-oriented state legislature members elected this year.
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100% agree but unfortunately, the legislature is dominated, in terms of control, and power, by suburban and rural interests. Since Salt Lake City is the only relatively urban area (maybe Ogden) in the state, and its political ideology is in direct contrast to the legislature (liberal & Democratic vs conservative & Republican), the city is hardly represented at any level in the government. Because of this, politicians in authority, guys like Speaker Hughes (thank God he's retiring - but he'll also probably run for governor, which is much worse) represent Draper or Utah County towns that have little to no urban fabric or understanding of the need for urban living.
That's the biggest drawback to Utah government. It's not diverse in the least. It's the most monolithic government in the country. I say that without reservation. I bet you won't find a state government that is less diverse than Utah. Other states have high ranking officials representing their major urban areas. Chicago is well-represented in the Illinois General Assembly. The President of the Illinois State Senate is from Chicago and represents a Chicago district. The Speaker of the House is from Chicago and represents Chicago. New York is well-represented in the New York State Assembly. The Speaker of the Assembly there represents part of the Bronx. Denver is well-represented in the Colorado General Assembly. Their speaker, a female, represents a district in Denver.
None of our high-ranking politicians are from diverse areas in the state. Granted, unless Salt Lake elects a Republican in a legislative district within its borders, it's unlikely that'll change. But you can see why that mindset dominates the legislature. At the end of the day, suburban and rural communities have an advocate in the legislature. Salt Lake does not. The legislature seems to take glee in actually sabotaging the capital city.
This is why I am hoping the increase of outside migration into the state sustains. Because diversity is the only way to change the makeup of the legislature. The fact it's 80% LDS, despite Utah being nowhere near that level, means there is a huge misrepresentation of the people within the state.