SALT LAKE CITY – Senate Majority Whip Chris Wilson (R-Logan) has received the “Friend of Transparency Award” from the NoGovInternet and the Utah Taxpayers Association (UTA).
Presented on Sept. 8, the award recognizes Wilson’s leadership in the Utah Senate and his role in advancing Senate Bill 165 (Municipal Broadband Service Amendments), which was passed by the Utah Legislature in March to safeguard taxpayers and encourage responsible public investment.
The new law obliges Utah cities to meet rigorous public disclosure and bonding standards before opting to construct taxpayer funded broadband networks.
Those protections will ensure that city residents receive timely and accurate information before city governments can take on significant debt or make long-term financial commitments for broadband services.
Wilson supported the legislation in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and again on the Senate floor, convincing others to pass SB 165 and reinforcing its importance as sound fiscal policy.
“Senator Wilson’s leadership and perspective in the Senate added real weight to this effort,” according to Greg Hughes, a spokesman for NoGovInternet. “His engagement in the committee and on the Senate floor showed how seriously he takes taxpayer protections.”
“Sen. Wilson continues to be a steady voice for fiscal responsibility in state government,” said Billy Hesterman of the Utah Taxpayers Association, echoing Hughes’ comments.
“His leadership on the Senate and his support of SB 165 demonstrated his commitment to careful policymaking. We are proud to recognize him with this award.”
The “Friend of Transparency Award” was jointly created by NoGovInternet and the Utah Taxpayers Association in March of this year to recognize public officials who champion accountability, open processes and taxpayer protection in state and local governance.
Previous recipients of the “Friends of Transparency Award” have included Rep. Casey Snider (R-Paradise).
NoGovInternet is an organization that opposes local municipalities bonding to install government-owned broadband networks. NoGovInternet works to educate citizens and promote transparency in local government decisions across Utah.
Critics of that impulse argue that government-provided internet consistently ensures faster, more reliable and safer access than those offered by for-profit privately-owned companies.
Founded more than 100 years ago, the Utah Taxpayers Association is a nonpartisan watchdog group that advocates for Utah to remain a low-tax, pro-growth state where public spending serves the taxpayer.