Utah Lawmakers Head to China on Tax-funded Trip

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Fourteen Utah legislators and two staffers leave tomorrow on an eight-day trip to mainland China that will cost taxpayers more than 36-thousand dollars. But don't expect an immediate return on that investment, says Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, who will co-lead the delegation:"You have to take a longer view," says Bramble. "Establishing relations with government officials at a state or province level as opposed to just Washington, D.C., I think in the long run will be nothing but positive for the state of Utah."

The trip itinerary calls for long days meeting with government officials and businesses in the Liaoning Province, which is a major center for manufacturing and coal mining. The Utah Legislature allocated 18-thousand dollars from the state's general fund to cover the trip, but its size and cost ballooned. The extra 18-thousand dollars will come from the travel budgets of the Senate and House, which likely means fewer out-of-state trips to legislative and policy conferences the rest of the year.

The most recent trip legislators took overseas was to Taiwan on the Taiwanese government's dime. That, too, was criticized, notes Bramble:

"We're resigned to the fact that it doesn't matter how we schedule this trip, there will be a way to take a negative spin on it," says Bramble. "The fact is I believe it's important for Utah and Utah elected officials to have a better understanding of our counterparts in China."

Bramble and House Majority leader Dave Clark are the highest-ranking legislators going on the, which also includes Senate Democrat Leader Mike Dmitrich. Several lawmakers will bring their spouses at their own expense.

A delegation from the same Chinese province has already visited Utah at least twice, so legislators say this trip is also an important show of reciprocal respect.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW