Why bother voting for your US Senator when the state can just choose one for you?
Jan 27th, 2006 | by Neil Barton | Posted in politics | Comments Off
Utah Senate President John Valentine said SB156, which would allow legislators to pick Senate candidates, as long as the political parties agreed, has nothing to do with sitting Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett.
It’s an effort to bolster the power of state leaders, who are more equipped to crack down on unfunded programs foisted upon the states by the U.S. Congress, he said.
“We know more than voters do,” Valentine said. “They don’t get the chance to hear all that we do.” The legislation would also allow lawmakers to “direct” senators by making requests.
Utah Democratic Party Executive Director Todd Taylor called the legislation “shameful.”
“It doesn’t respect the Constitution. It doesn’t respect the voters and it doesn’t respect the history that got us here,” he said.
