Four state legislators have explained that the public is angry about House Bill 477, which restricts public access to government records, because they have not explained it clearly. “Unfortunately, the Legislature has not done a very good job of communicating this message to the public,” their statement said (“4legislators in southern Utah: Let’s kill HB477,” Tribune, March 19).Imagine that they sprayed skunk oil on me. The odor is terrible, it doesn’t wash off easily, and I’m very angry. The legislators say it’s not a problem, and they will explain it: The obnoxious odor is butyl mercapton. With the explanation, you should feel better now.The explanation does not change anything. The odor is terrible, it doesn’t wash off easily, and I’m very angry.

Jim Weber
Opinion section of the Salt Lake Tribune, March 23, 2011