Friday, April 15, 2016

Issues

"I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. As a current member of the State House, I have been heard, standing up to protect your rights. That fight continues. "

Education Excellence, Clean Air and Water, Your Rights, and a Stable and Growing Economy

Education Excellence
As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings. We can reduce costs while still maintaining the quality. Teachers often do not have the supplies they need, and in most cases deserve more pay for the critical work they do. Education funding is too complex and enough funding doesn’t make it to the classroom. I will work to bring more money to the classroom.

Clean Air and Water
As part of the Utah Legislature Clean Air Caucus, I sponsored legislation and fought for and against bills effecting our air and water. We should be good stewards of the land, Extremes on both sides of this issue hurt our ability to live and work in our great state.

Your Rights
The US Constitution specifically says: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns. We can't continue to let government take over our lives. We can be safe and free.

A Stable and Growing Economy
Utah is among Forbes best fiscally managed States and one of the best for business and careers. Many families are still struggling. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back with too many regulations.

Civility

We should play a role as responsible citizens in our communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections. We should engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that others come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion for solutions to our challenges.

Solutions not Parties
I have no problem working with different political parties. All four bills that I sponsored that passed the House in 2011 and 2012 were floor sponsored by a democratic senator. I was the only member of the Legislature that sponsored a bipartisan congressional redistricting map, co-sponsored by a member of another party I don't look at bills as republican or democrat sponsored bills. I vote on bills based on what the bill says and would do, and I have spoken against bills and spoken for bills based on the bill and not the sponsor or party. A bill has to improve things, however small the steps, or should not pass. I really appreciate representing the great people of this area of West Valley City. As your State Representative, I have worked hard to read the bills, speak up, and also vote on the bills, taking into account different viewpoints. This year I was again able to have bills pass the legislature and be signed by the governor. Many of the bills I sponsored were at your request.

For 2015 and 2016, I was given a 100% rating from the Utah Taxpayers Association for voting against tax increases and looking out for the taxpayers. I also received a Salt Lake Chamber 2015 and 2016 Business Champion award for working to help Utah businesses grow. I worked hard this last year to make sure the legislature didn’t ignore the idea of replacing the prison in Draper, which I believe would have saved over $100 Million.

 Be involved. 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, or come to one of my Town Hall Meetings.