Friday, July 22, 2011

Economy, Fiscal Responsibility, Energy Independence, Education Excellence

Economy, Fiscal Responsibility, Energy Independence, Education Excellence

Conservative Republican, Utah Architect.

Utah is the Best fiscally managed State. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back. Education can, will and must improve, but sending more money isn't always the answer.

As a taxpayer, I see the money spent on Buildings and will continue to advocate an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. I would hope we can reduce costs while still maintaining the quality and also increase the value and number or size of projects.

We need more consensus building and less compromise. If we focus on what we agree on, we can accomplish the most good. We may not agree with each other on all issues.

By being active in politics, we can influence what happens around us. One of the areas I have been active in is media, including Social Media. In politics, I have been an online media rapid response moderator and/or responder, along with managing several Facebook groups and pages, and using Twitter to promote news to a wider audience, or reducing their impact.

Be involved. Be a voter. Public Officials can't know what you are thinking if you don't tell them.

The best way to contact me is to write via email.

Official Government and Constituent Email:
fredcox@utah.gov

Campaign Related Email:
fred@fredcox4utah.com

Why do people in Utah still buy and use the illegal fireworks?

The Utah Legislature voted for the new "cake" fireworks because they go up hot but come down cool.

They have a stable base so they don't fall over. They were backed by several fire marshals.

We now have at least two fires started by illegal fireworks. One in Ogden started a bush fire and one in South Jordan took out a garage and burned two people. The fire for Red Butte canyon was caused by a campfire.

So the question: Why do people in Utah still buy and use the illegal fireworks?

Part of an email I am getting re: Caylee's Law

This is part of an email I am getting re: Caylee's Law

"On July 5, 2011, at 1:15 pm CST, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of first degree murder in the death of her daughter Caylee Anthony. The only charges she now faces are four counts of falsifying police reports, each of which only carries a 1 year prison term. Since she has been in jail since August 2008, she will be out of jail ENTIRELY too soon.

"I'm writing to propose that a new law be put into effect making it a felony for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker to not notify law enforcement of the death of their child, accidental or otherwise, within 1 hour of said death being discovered. This way there will be no more cases like Casey Anthony's in the courts, and no more innocent children will have to go without justice.

"Also, make it a felony for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker to not notify law enforcement of the disappearance of a child within 24 hours, so proper steps can be taken to find that child before it's too late.

"The case of Caylee Anthony was tragic, and there is no reason for another case like this one to hit the courts. Let's do what is necessary to prevent another case like this from happening."

_________________________

My answer and response to the emails includes the following:

I have not been following this case in the news, but based on what I have read, the jury found that the prosecution didn't have enough evidence to convict the mom. I realize the mom was convicted in and by the media and most people following the news reports, but our system has people innocent until proven guilty in court.

I don't want everyone that the media thinks is guilty to be found guilty if there isn't enough evidence.

I believe the 1 day time frame in all cases may be too short of time for a law. I haven't researched to see what all the existing federal or state laws are yet.

Some are at:

http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/MPCmissing.html

I did research one law. In Utah, "Child abuse -- Child abandonment" is a felony. While there isn't a 24 hr. notice requirement, If you abandon your child and they get hurt, you could be in trouble.

I have spoken to the House Chair of the Utah Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, of which I am committee member. If Utah has laws that need to be made better, I am open to that, but I do not want to jump on this "band wagon". I have spent 6 months trying to modify a current law that was one mentioned in the article below.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel/blog/2011/07/08/dead-children-make-bad-laws

I have recently heard that one member of the Utah House of Representatives has pulled a bill file to look at Utah's laws in this area.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/article_df3c4cd5-7c48-5d19-906d-3cf2b97b5183.html

[Update, see:

http://www.utahreps.net/uncategorized/rep-anderson-caylees-law-issues-already-addressed-in-utah-code ]

Thanks for writing and letting me know what you are thinking. It really helps to get others perspective.

Fred C. Cox

Utah House of Representatives, District 32

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Mitt

Out of the 3 choices I was considering, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Mitt Romney, I believe Mitt is the closest to being ready.

Granted, Mitt has made mistakes and changed his mind on issues, but I haven't found too many that haven't.

Why did Rep. Chaffetz endorse Mitt? Well he said why, and that answer is in several papers.

One likely reason is he was asked, as was I. You are left with the choice, yes, no, or not yet. I didn't answer yes just because his campaign called me several times, or Josh Romney calling me more than once, I said yes after meeting Mitt more than once and listening him to him on more than one occasion.

I said yes after asking a lot of people about Michele, including those working with her. I didn't have to ask people about Jon, as I have known the family since I was a teenager. Jon went to my high school and his wife moved into my class. I have watched him most of my life. He has strengths, but I am not in his fan club at this time. If it was his father running, he would have my vote.

So, Rep. Chaffetz picked Mitt, fine. So has Sen. Hatch and Sen Dan Liljenquist, as well, so are you not going to vote for any of the 3 because of that?