Fred C Cox for House District 30 - Fighting Tax Increases

 

 

At the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, I was the original sponsor (1 of 5) for the Utah 2019 Tax referendum. Working with voters throughout the state, both liberal, conservative, and everything in between, and as volunteers, we were able to gather over 170,000 signatures in 29 counties, exceeding the 116,000 required signatures in 15 counties. Because of the success of our team, the Legislature and the Governor repealed 2019 SB 2001, instead of facing the backlash of the voters that fall.

 

Remember we had identified 5 major items in the bill that had people ticked.

Major Problems with 2019 SB 2001:

First, if you raise the cost of vehicle fuel, by increasing the state fuel tax by 35%, a family driving around town has less money to go to the store to buy food. These added fuel costs will drive up the cost of goods at the register as well.

Second, raising the cost of food by raising the sales tax on food by a 177% Utah tax increase, means the family has less money to buy food. The State paying this family back later, doesn’t help. Why should a family making it without the government be pushed into requiring help?

Third, by reducing the amount of money going to public and secondary education by $680 Million, while promising public education will not be hurt, means they are either going to change the Utah Constitution or the legislature is going to make sure our property taxes go up, either directly such as 2015 SB 97 and 2018 HB 293 or indirectly by making the local school boards raise our property tax and those boards getting the blame.

Fourth, the bill sets up changing the funding of roads by removing the constitutional required funding from transportation related taxes, including transportation related sales tax, and replacing it with highway user fees and a road usage charge program.

Fifth, Adding to the increase of services with sales tax, which can drive service type businesses out of the state or at least out of business.

Also Remember we invited the left and right and everyone in between to unite to stop the bill, 2019 SB 2001. There was one initial rule, respect. We need this group to keep pressure on the legislature and governor so they don't create 2019 SB 2001 again, as a whole or in pieces. That is what United us and still does.

If any of these items come back in any form, they will be repealed by the voters. Food Tax, Fuel Tax, Education funding, Transportation funding, Services. No New Taxes. If they think this was just the food tax, they are wrong  

 

 

Fred C. Cox, 2024 Candidate for Utah House District 30

 Fred C. Cox, 2024 Candidate for Utah House District 30

"I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. We can't continue to let government take over our lives".

That was the reason I ran for office when my State Representative, Ron Bigelow, stepped down to help the Governor at the end of 2010, and it is still so today.

I had the opportunity to serve in the Utah House of Representatives in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016. During that time, I had a reputation of being willing to speak up and to fight for and vote for what I believed was right, no matter the opposition.

 I also had the reputation of reading though all of the bills I would vote on, and after the 2016 session a comedy song joked that I might have known other legislators' bills better than they did. During my service, I had one of the best floor attendance records of anyone in the House, with the exception of one rare House Judiciary Standing Committee meeting called during floor time where I missed 12 votes in 2015. They were the only ones I missed that year. I wanted to be in the chamber during debates and voting so I could hear both sides of an issue and see if a bill was ready or needed to be amended or voted down. "Motion to Amend" was something I said more than once. I always voted for or against the bill no matter who the sponsor was or what party they belonged to.

Rep. Judy Weeks Rohner has filed to run for State Senate District 12, and so House District 30 is an "open" seat race.

 

I am the Convention nominee with the backing of the party. The other Republican candidate gathered signatures besides running through convention. I did not gather signatures. There is a primary this June. Let me know if you need a yard sign.

 

Please come to one of my Town Hall meetings and help me understand the issues that are important to you.

 

I ask for your vote.

 

Fred C. Cox

fred@fredcox4utah.com

 

https://www.fredcox4utah.com/

Fred C. Cox, 2024 Candidate for Utah House District 30

Fred C. Cox, 2024 Candidate for Utah House District 30,
Former Member, Utah House of Representatives, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011.


"I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. We can't continue to let government take over our lives".

That was the reason I ran for office when my State Representative, Ron Bigelow, stepped down to help the Governor at the end of 2010, and it is still so today.

I had the opportunity to serve in the Utah House of Representatives in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016. During that time I had a reputation of being willing to speak up and to fight for and vote for what I believed was right, no matter the opposition.

I also had the reputation of reading though all of the bills I would vote on, and after the 2016 session a comedy song joked that I might have known other legislators' bills better than they did. During my service, I had one of the best floor attendance records of anyone in the House, with the exception of one rare House Judiciary Standing Committee meeting called during floor time where I missed 12 votes in 2015. They were the only ones I missed that year. I wanted to be in the chamber during debates and voting so I could hear both sides of an issue and see if a bill was ready, or needed to be amended or voted down. "Motion to Amend" was something I said more than once. I always voted for or against the bill no matter who the sponsor was or what party they belonged to.

I have been asked by many in the district to run again. I would appreciate your support, whether by endorsement for 2024 or campaign contribution.

Fred C Cox for the Utah Republican State Central Committee

 Fred C Cox for the Utah Republican State Central Committee

Being a member of the SCC is a volunteer, elected, political party position, representing Salt Lake County to the State Party.

We not only need someone to show up to the meetings, (I have 100% attendance), we need someone that can work with others.

At the end of 2019 and the beginning on 2020, I was the original sponsor (1 of 5) for the Utah 2019 Tax referendum. Working with voters throughout the state, both liberal, conservative, and everything in between, and as volunteers, we were able to gather over 170,000 signatures in 29 counties, exceeding the 116,000 required signatures in 15 counties. Because of the success of our team, the Legislature and the Governor repealed 2019 SB 2001, instead of facing the backlash of the voters that fall.

There are 180 SCC members Statewide, representing tens of thousands of county delegates, 4 thousand state delegates, and hundreds of thousands of party affiliates. The meetings have been in St George during snow storms, Fillmore, Park City, Erda / Grantsville, Ogden, Lehi, etc.   I have have had 100% attendance, even before being elected in 2011, and since. The meetings can take all day, and have been in the past, argumentative. Some are wondering why I would run again?  

I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. We can't continue to let government take over our lives.

Past Party and Related Community Service
• Utah State House of Representatives, January 2015 through December 2016.
• Utah State House of Representatives, January 2011 through December 2012.
• Utah Republican State Central Committee, 2011 to present.
• Utah Republican State Executive Committee, 2017 to 2019.
• Utah Republican State Delegate 2002-2003, 2005 to 2012, 2013, 2015 to 2016, 2018 to 2021.
• Salt Lake County Republican Bylaws Committee, 2013 to present.
• Salt Lake County Republican Delegate, 2010-2012, 2014 to 2016, 2022-2023.
• Salt Lake County Republican Central Committee, 2010-2012, 2014 to 2016.
• Salt Lake County Republican Legislative District Chair, August 2010 to January 2011.
​
Questions?
Send an email to
fred@fredcox4utah.com

Olympia Hills Project too fast or is the area ready

Olympia Hills Project: too fast or is the area ready?

IF the only choice is approving the current proposed zoning for all 900 plus acres and a very vague development agreement, the answer should be NO.

As an architect I have worked on projects that included mixed use, with densities from 25 units per acre to 64 units per acre,  plus commercial. Some of the masterplan concepts have been up to 80 to 100 acres. When I showed that the Draper Prison did not have to be moved, we were talking closer to 700 acres.

This Olympus Hills Project isn't just one or a few acres, it is over 900 acres. We are not talking less than 100 units, but over 6,000 units. The obvious question, is the area ready for this development? What can be done and what should not be done. As I have driven along Mountain View the last few years between West Valley City and Herriman the last few years, I have witnessed Growth and Traffic skyrocket.

IF the property owner or developer had purchased the land after the property was rezoned to be a P-C Zone or if there was already a signed development agreement with the county, the property owner would be vested and there would not be much anyone could do other than follow the development agreement with the County and the Owner or new owners.

That has not happened. Yet. That could change in 2 weeks. 

If you read the reports the county is posting at:

https://slco.org/development-services/olympia-hills/

It is clear from an infrastructure point of view, there is not currently enough sewer and traffic capacity to handle the project.

What can be approved?

1. The county could consider approving a master plan to allow much of the development over time. If it is going to be over 25 year vs the expected 12 years, it may still work.

2. The county could approve a smaller area, perhaps 5 to 10 to 20 acres to be rezoned at this time. Locating this smaller area near existing transportation hubs. The other areas could be rezoned as the infrastructure allows. One county council member favoring the development has stated “It is master-planned as a whole development. It is not going to be piecemealed.”

3. The county could further reduce the number of units. I was only able to hear one hour of public comments this last week, but it was clear the residents are not in favor of the amended proposal. The adjacent city Mayors are not either. While the county has added a lot more requirements to the new project, it is clear the public and adjacent cities are not convinced it is enough.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/01/28/mayors-call-salt-lake/

What is clear is rezoning the entire property to a P-C Zone and signing a development agreement now for entire property ties the hands of future county or city councils by having the property owner vested.

IF the only choice is approving the current proposed zoning for all 900 plus acres and a very vague development agreement, the answer should be NO.

Services listed in 2019 SB 2001

•The following services would be included in the tax base:

Installation of tangible personal property when part of a taxable sale

Pet boarding, pet grooming,and pet daycare services

Personal transportation service▪ Includes all intrastate motor vehicle transportation services except for: •services provided by governmental entities •ambulance services •transportation that is part of a funeral service •low speed vehicles in a county of the first class ▪Includes: •peer to peer ridesharing (peer to peer carsharing is already subject to sales tax) •scenic and sightseeing transportation in a motor vehicle

Motor vehicle towing

Parking lots and garages

Dating referral services

Identity theft protection

Streaming media

Shipping and handling when part of a taxable sale

Electronic security monitoring of real property

Remove certain existing sales tax exemptions to make the sales tax a broader consumption tax

•The following exemptions would be repealed:

Electricity to ski resorts for lifts

Vehicles used for temporary sporting events

Admissions to college athletic events

Textbooks purchased by a student (not including a college bookstore; seller sales primarily textbooks)

Primarily unassisted cleaning of tangible personal property▪Unless payment is exclusively through machines that only accept cash or coin

Use of unassisted amusement device▪Unless payment is exclusively through machines that only accept cash or coin

Vending machine food sold for $1 or less under certain circumstances▪Unless payment is exclusively through machines that only accept cash or coin

Certain car washes▪Unless payment is exclusively through machines that only accept cash or coin

Sales to a public transit district (includes construction materials converted to real property)

Fuel sold to a common carrier railroad and used in a locomotive engine

Newspapers or newspaper subscriptions

Address list or database used to send direct mail

Database access for viewing or retrieving information

Voting my conscience and hoping Trump follows the Constitution and does well

I have been amazed at the attitude by some that I did what I always do, vote for the best people running. 

Normally I get to the bottom of the ballot and had voted for all R's, but sometimes a D. This was the first year I had to go for write-ins, unaffiliated candidates, and 3rd party as well as D's to fill up my ballot. 

Yes, the majority of my votes were for Republicans, but I was not impressed with some of the options. 

What amazes me the most, was several of my friends "verbally" beat me up for voting my conscience. It is what we are supposed to do. 

I voted for or against thousands of bills for 4 legislative sessions. I didn't vote yes or no because of the sponsor. 

I believe the GOP can recover, Replace the RNC chair with Carly Fiorina or someone else, and I do believe we can get rid of the attitude that the party can take away your agency. I have not given up yet. 

I didn't vote for or support the candidate Donald Trump, but I do hope he follows the US Constitution and ends up being a good POTUS, for the Country's sake.

Pick One

During the last almost 8 years of President Obama, I have felt like he has ignored, at best, our US Constitution. I have been glad that for a few of those times, the SCOTUS told him he couldn't do something. I really don't expect anything better out of Hillary for the next 4 years, re: the Constitution. I also believe her to be totally corrupt.

While I don't agree with many things Trump has said over the last year or more, my biggest fear is that he wants to be even more of a dictator, a Putin, from going after families of terrorists to telling us only he could save us, to running with a stop-and-frisk program. He has given no indication that he has even read the US Constitution or that he would follow it if he has. 

Today, from his campaign, Trump has added Mike Lee to his list of SCOTUS nominees. I truly don't believe Trump will pick anyone that would limit his power, unless he absolutely had to, to win.

I have looked strongly at Johnson/Weld, Castle/Bradley and also McMullin. None of those have the same level of concern for me than Hillary/Trump do. For any of those others to win Utah, it appears we need some pretty strong endorsements as they appear to be splitting the #NoHillary #NoTrump vote.

Do we have anyone with the clout to move the needle in the next 2 weeks that is going to pick one of these?

Changes to the 2014 Utah Republican Neighborhood Election Meeting

As you know from 2008 to 2010 neighborhood election meeting attendance doubled. From 2010 to 2012, meeting attendance doubled again. There is hope that in 2014, it will double again and 250,000 will attend. I know that The State GOP has a committee that is working to make sure we don't have the same growth problems for 2014 and that the system can handle the volume of those interested and still allow time to meet candidates and ask questions.

New proposals for 2014 include a better system for check in, including optional preregistration. The ability to optionally pre-file to run to represent your neighbors as well. The meeting will be designed to last for 2 hrs. or less, from 7pm to 9pm. There will be a pre-meeting from 6pm to 7pm to allow you to personally meet candidates to represent your neighborhood that have decided to run and for you to ask one on one questions. Even with large groups, changes to make sure members can agree on questions to ask neighborhood representative candidates with more time to hear from them.

I hope you will come again in 2014 and make the meeting better.

 

Endorsement of Cherilyn Eagar for Congress

I have been associated with Cherilyn Eagar for years. I was active in helping her team when she ran for US Senate. I have watched her tireless effort in promoting conservative values, that didn’t diminish when that race was over. Her extensive knowledge of the US Constitution along with State, National and International policies and situations is simply amazing.

As a newly appointed member of the Utah House of Representatives, I have found that bills being drafted or debated often contain conflicting ideas and principles and that it is sometimes very difficult to determine which way to vote. While I have watched others be overly critical of that process, Cherilyn has been only supportive, even when she didn’t agree. I have watched her be firm in principles and values while continuing always to learn. It is with that background that I endorse Cherilyn Eagar for the US House of Representatives as someone I trust and that will represent Utah well.

For more information about Cherilyn Eagar

Website:
http://eagar2012.com/

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