PRESS RELEASE: Representative Ryan Wilcox Receives “Friend of Transparency Award”

August 26, 2025

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OGDEN – August 26, 2025 – NoGovInternet and the Utah Taxpayers Association jointly presented Utah State Representative Ryan Wilcox with the “Friend of Transparency Award” this week in recognition of his leadership as the floor sponsor of SB 165, legislation designed to protect taxpayers and strengthen transparency in local government.


[See photo: Representative Ryan Wilcox (center) receives the “Friend of Transparency” Award from Utah Taxpayers Association President Billy Hesterman (left) and NoGovInternet Spokesman Greg Hughes (right).]


SB 165, passed during the 2025 General Legislative Session, sets new disclosure and bonding standards for cities that want to build and operate their own taxpayer-funded broadband networks. The law ensures that residents receive timely, accurate information and have a clear understanding of the financial risks before public dollars are committed to major infrastructure projects.


“Representative Wilcox provided the leadership needed to guide this bill through the House and make it law,” said Greg Hughes, spokesman for NoGovInternet. “Our role was to help educate and provide context to the public, but it was Rep. Wilcox who carried the responsibility of explaining, defending, and advancing SB 165 at every step. His commitment to open government and accountability to taxpayers was key to its success.”


“Ryan showed real skill in bringing people together around this issue,” Hughes added. “His leadership on the floor ensured that Utah families will have greater transparency and a stronger voice when their communities consider large financial commitments.”


“Representative Wilcox took on the challenge of carrying SB 165 and did so with a steady hand and clear vision,” said Billy Hesterman, President of the Utah Taxpayers Association. “This bill protects taxpayers by requiring transparency before cities take on major projects, and Rep. Wilcox deserves recognition for his work in making that happen.”



The “Friend of Transparency” Award was created by NoGovInternet and the Utah Taxpayers Association in March 2025 to honor elected officials who demonstrate a strong commitment to open government, public accountability, and the protection of taxpayer interests.

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PRESS RELEASE: Senate President Stuart Adamns Receives “Friend of Transparency Award”

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PRESS RELEASE: Speaker Mike Schultz Receives “Friend of Transparency Award”

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PRESS RELEASE: State Representative Casey Snider Receives “Friend of Transparency Award”

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Letter to the Editor: Should local governments in Southern Utah bond for broadband?

October 10, 2024
No Gov Internet Spokesperson penned an op-ed for the St. George News. The letter asks a critical question: should we risk millions of taxpayer dollars on a venture that could compromise essential public services?

ICYMI: St. George Event Recap

October 4, 2024
Missed our event in St. George on 9/28?

NoGovInternet Appears on “Political as Heck Utah” Podcast

June 4, 2024
Former Speaker of Utah House Greg Hughes appeared on the “Political as Heck Utah” podcast to discuss his role in the NoGovInternet Campaign. In part, Hughes said, “It’s a 501(c)(4) campaign meant to really educate people because a lot of times when UTOPIA or one of these companies comes to a city council, which have constituents who would like better service, the version of life that they’re giving—there is a lot more to the story. At least more details and information that the public, and even those mayors and city council members ought to be aware of before making a big decision to get into debt and get into that lane as a city to provide internet infrastructure.” Listen to the full discussion starting at the 4:35 mark here .

Utah State Auditor in Deseret News: Government-owned internet networks hurt taxpayers

April 22, 2024
Utah State Auditor John Dougall penned an op-ed for the Deseret News, calling out the harm that government-owned internet has inflicted on taxpayers in his state. In the op-ed, Dougall wrote, "The number of government-owned networks is increasing by the day, and taxpayers, not users, are often footing the bill. Government-owned broadband networks cost millions of dollars and divert essential funding away from services that really matter to the public — services such as police and fire, roads, water and sewer... Public officials across the country, and especially here in Utah, should resist the appealing allure of expanding or deploying government-owned networks, which allure has been shown to be deceptive, and ultimately destructive, to taxpayers." Read the auditor's full commentary here .

NoGovInternet.com in Deseret News: Is government control of our internet a good idea?

March 27, 2024
NoGovInternet leader and former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes recently penned an op-ed for Deseret News, “Is government control of our internet a good idea?” Among other points in the column, Hughes wrote, “Never once, in over 20 years in the public square, did I meet a single Utahn who asked or demanded that any government, from the state down to the city level, take control of internet infrastructure.” Read the full op-ed here .