>Let me just say that I
>don't know what the Fox
>13 news report will show
>but I am glad that
>someone is looking at this
>use of taxpayer money.
>I am an avid hunter
>and sportsman, and I don't
>want to see wolves in
>Utah. However, I am
>also a taxpayer and I
>believe that our leaders should
>be accountable and transparent in
>the way they spend our
>tax dollars. My concerns
>are based on the way
>this went down and the
>way it is being executed.
>
>
>Here is my issue. First,
>let's assume that it was
>the right decision for the
>State of Utah to hire
>a lobbyist to lobby on
>the wolf issue. Second,
>let's assume that BGF is
>best situated to provide those
>services. Assuming those things
>are true, then the State
>of Utah should appropriate the
>necessary funds in a public
>manner and sign a contract
>with BGF that: (1) spells
>out exactly what BGF will
>do in exchange for the
>money; (2) includes strict reporting
>requirements; and (3) includes auditing
>requirements so that the state
>can see how the money
>was spent.
>
>Unfortunately, that has not occurred.
>The State of Utah has
>given BGF hundreds of thousands
>of dollars a year for
>the last several years without
>any real oversight. In
>fact, it was so bad
>in the early years that
>the State Auditor finally stepped
>in and issued a scathing
>report in 2013.
http://le.utah.gov/audit/13_11rpt.pdf
> The problems identified in
>the auditor?s report are obvious
>issues that should have been
>apparent to the state and
>BGF from the beginning.
>Unfortunately, you cannot count on
>the state or BGF/SFW when
>it comes to transparency and
>accountability in dealing with public
>resources. I don't want
>to wander into an expo
>tag discussion but let's just
>say there is a pattern
>with these groups. For
>these reasons, I have no
>problem with the media or
>any other concerned parties shining
>a light on this process.
> If everything is on
>the up and up, then
>there is nothing to worry
>about. Let's tune in
>tonight and see what is
>reported.
>
>Cantkillathing ? Pointing out other wastes
>of tax dollars is not
>really a defense or justification
>of this expenditure. And
>it certainly does not address
>the lack of accountabilty and
>transparency that has plagued this
>program from the beginning.
>
>Hossblur ? I don't think that
>religion has anything to do
>with this issue. Not
>that it matters but I
>am active LDS and I
>have no problem asking questions
>or questioning authority. Let's
>stick to the pertinent issues.
>
>
>-Hawkeye-
First, until they decide otherwise, I am a Mormon. Second I said Mormon Culture, which is different than attacking a religion. Third, I agree, so I started a different post about this.
I know some guys saw the word Mormon and instantly had to go into defense mode and start reading into things, but it was just a question, and Hawkeye your a smart, well read guy, you know that what I asked has been discussed reguarding other scams and how often Utahns get drawn into them. And yes, there is a Mormon culure in Utah, and I didn't say it was a bad thing.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"