Opinion: Legislative transparency tools contribute to accountable state government

By Rep. Cheryl Acton

Guest Opinion, Deseret News
Published January 30, 2026

Utah voters have high expectations for their government, and accountability and transparency are important tools for ensuring those expectations are met. In this guest opinion, Rep. Cheryl Acton discusses the safeguards available to Utah voters and the tools they can use to understand how government decisions are made.

Acton highlights Utah’s legislative transparency tools, including the state Legislature’s website, where voters can follow bills, watch legislative proceedings, review committee hearings and floor debates, and participate in public comment. She notes that the website preserves audio and video of legislative proceedings, giving voters a direct way to understand the discussions and decisions behind legislation.

The article also highlights financial accountability and transparency, pointing to the state’s public budget and spending information, which allows Utahns to see how taxpayer dollars are allocated. Acton also discusses legislative audit reports, which provide analysis and recommendations intended to improve government programs, reduce costs and promote accountability.

Acton points to additional safeguards, including ethics training, financial disclosure requirements and penalties for violations of public trust, as well as rules governing the conduct of lobbyists.

The article emphasizes that Utah voters deserve access to information about how decisions are made, which initiatives are prioritized and how public resources are allocated.

“Public oversight is important. Public confidence is critical.”

Read the full opinion at Deseret News:
Opinion: Legislative transparency tools contribute to accountable state government

Originally published by Deseret News on January 30, 2026. Written by Rep. Cheryl Acton, who has represented House District 38 (West Jordan) in the Utah House of Representatives since 2017.