Quietly under the radar for years, Salt Lake City has offered state lawmakers free parking at metered spaces downtown during their 45-day legislative session — if they provide their license plate numbers in advance.
Besides free parking, it may be free “perking” for a powerful few. The city says it is not designed to sway lawmakers’ votes to help the city, but rather to persuade them to take their business to downtown restaurants and other venues.
In it, Mayor Jackie Biskupski wrote to all lawmakers saying, “I recognize during the upcoming legislative session you will be spending a great deal of time not only at the Capitol, but also in meetings with constituents and other interested parties in downtown Salt Lake City locations.