Saturday, March 29, 2014

No to Medicaid Expansion

I was asked this last town hall about Medicaid Expansion and how I would have voted. I said they didn't have the answer and I wouldn't have voted for them. I was less than clear about what I would have proposed.

Two of the proposed bills are found here:

http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/SB0251.html

 http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/SB0272.html

If you look at the fiscal notes for the bills, you will see that taxpayers would pay between $250 Million to $750 Million, a year, much of it from Federal money, as subsidized by Federal Debt.

 This shows what plans are being considered:
http://youtu.be/0Om4HY6defw




Under the US Constitution, Art. 1, Section 8, the Federal Government should not be providing "ObamaCare". or even Medicare and Medicaid.

However, millions of taxpayers have paid in to Medicare for decades and have been promised services. This is something that can not be undone simply. You can't simply unmake the promises. Most individuals can not get any medical insurance other than Medicare when they retire, other than a supplement. Former Sen. Dan Liljenquist helped in 2011 solve similar problems for Utah by simply telling new state employees that the old plans were not available because we could not afford them, providing what we could and not going back on past promises to existing employees.

Many individuals now find themselves without insurance or the ability to get it because of ObamaCare. A medical insurance plan I looked at over a year ago is now 2 to 3 times more per month because of ObamaCare. When the Federal Government "Helps" and makes things worse, does Utah get involved? That is the question.

At the Town Hall, one candidate quoted some good principles I have heard many times before. They involve the incentive to help people to stay healthy and the lower cost of care and insurance if they do. I hadn't heard the source before, but they had been quoted by Rep.Dean Sanpei many times in trying to make sure Utah didn't go bankrupt dealing with Medicaid, and Federal programs that are not fully funded by the Federal Government. During 2011 and 2012, I voted for several of his ideas.

Rep. Dean Sanpei
http://le.utah.gov/house2/detail.jsp?i=SANPED

 Rep. Sanpei is an Assistant Vice President, Intermountain Health Care (Planning)

The advantage of having members of the legislature from all walks of live, is there are doctors, pharmacists, bus drivers, farmers, ranchers, attorneys, insurance agents, etc. You have to weigh where their conflicts are as well as where their expertise is.

I don't mean to make light of the principles brought up at the town hall meeting. They don't go to the main point of the discussion.

If the US Supreme Court has stated that Utah does not have to expand Medicaid under "ObamaCare" why should we? If ObamaCare is going to be torn down as a failure in the next couple of years, why should Utah create more problems and make it worse?

A recent Op-ED on this subject:
 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865598235/Utah7s-financial-model-should-not-include-Medicaid-expansion.html?pg=all


What happened this last session is here:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57671190-90/federal-state-coverage-expansion.html.csp

More information.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/03/28/utah-already-won-a-key-obamacare-concession-can-it-win-another/

Should Utah do something? Yes. The Federal Government, in the attempt to make sure everyone can have medical insurance has made it worse. What we should do re: Medicaid expansion is what we do in other areas where people need help. 

We should provide short term aid and work to provide a long term solution. Prove caps on time and money. Do not take away individual responsibility. This isn't Medicare, something that everyone retiring has to deal with. This is Medicaid, something that was designed for those that can't afford other options. ObamaCare trying to make more people fall into that category isn't the answer.

Don't Expand Medicaid in Utah. Do care, Do provide short term aid and work to solve the long term solution.

Fred C. Cox, Running for the Utah House of Representatives, District 30

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

County Delegates



I really appreciate that you came to your Republican Neighborhood Caucus Election Meeting where your voice counts. I hope you support those running to be county delegates who would be open minded, willing to research the candidates, and would truthfully consider voting for me at the County GOP Convention on April 12th.

Vote for someone who has shown by action that they are not afraid to stand up to those with money and power. Our Republican Nominee will face Michael D. Lee (D), Vice President of the AFL-CIO for Utah. We can win. I ask for your support and vote.

Come meet Fred Cox and ask questions at:
Town Hall Meeting, Sat., March 22, 2014, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Town Hall Meeting, Thurs., March 27, 2014, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Town Hall Meeting, Wed., April 2, 2014, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
All at the Hunter Library Meeting Room, 4740 West 4100 South

S.L. County GOP Convention, Sat., April 12, 2014, All day event,
Cottonwood High School, 5715 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT

About Fred: Fred served as a member of the Utah State House of Representatives in 2011 and 2012 representing approx. 1/4 of West Valley City residents.

A Utah native, and a lifelong resident of Salt Lake County, Fred graduated from Highland High School, studied at the University of Utah, graduating from what is now called Salt Lake Community College in Architectural Technology. A licensed Utah Architect, Fred started his own architectural firm in 1996, working and living in West Valley City. Fred and his wife Aleta have lived in West Valley City for over 25 years.

Community Service
Utah State House of Representatives, January 2011 through December 2012.
• Utah Republican State Central Committee, 2011 to present.
Utah Republican State Delegate 2002-2003, 2005-2011, 2013.
Salt Lake County Republican Bylaws Committee,  2013 to present.
Salt Lake County Republican Central Committee, 2010 though 2012.
• ChamberWest Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Action Committee, Nov. 2010 to present
AIA Utah, Government Affairs Committee, January 2008 to January 2011 and January 2013 to present.
• Church Based community service
Education Excellence
As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings and will continue to advocate for an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. 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 funding doesn’t seem to make it to the classroom. We need to help make that better.
Clean Air and Water
I was the Salt Lake Solar Day 2012, "Greenest Republican in the State" for sponsoring 2012 H.B. 262 Building Code Amendments, and continued working to adopt the current IECC (energy code for houses and buildings) during the 2013 session. That bill passed and the current code is expected to be effective July 1, 2014. The amount of energy use and pollution caused by buildings is critical. I also worked for over a year to increase flexibility and ability for property owners to capture and use storm / rain water. At the end of the 2013 session, that bill passed the House, 75 to 0, and was signed by the Governor.
States Rights
The US Constitution specifically states: "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". The US Government continues to trample on this and others of our constitutionally protected rights. The government powers are not only separated in 3 branches, but between the Federal and the States.  This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns.
Economy
Utah is the best fiscally managed state. Utah repeats this year as Forbes top 3 Best States for Business and Careers. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back through too many regulations.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Announcement - Fred C Cox running for House District 30

On Friday, March 14, 2014, as a former Member of the Utah House of Representatives, I filed to run for State House District 30 in West Valley City.

I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. As a member of the State House for 2011 and 2012, I have been heard, standing up to protect your rights.

During the 2011 and 2012 Sessions, I had the best floor voting attendance record of either the House or Senate. I wanted to hear both sides of an issue and work to find win - win solutions when possible. If not possible, I worked to either amend or cause to fail bills that were flawed. I read through each and every bill I voted on, even though they numbered over 1000. 

Both years I was able to sponsor bills that passed the House, and had bills signed by the Governor into law. I was recognized as someone that was not afraid to take a stand and speak up. 

For the 2013 Session, I had prepared several bills. Due to the results of redistricting and the 2012 election I was able to transfer 4 bills to other legislators, and help to get those bills though both Houses and signed by the Governor. A 5th bill was dropped when the state agency reversed their policy and it was no longer needed. A sixth bill was not needed when a similar bill was passed and signed into law.

The bills that became law include subjects such as classic car registration, kidnapping offender lists, allowing fault to be considered in determining alimony, protecting property rights, and increasing the ability and flexibility to recycle rain water, which is important in Utah. 

I set up many public town hall meetings in 2011 and 2012 and even scheduled a town hall meeting as a member of the State Republican Central Committee and had several of the Attorney General nominee candidates come to the Hunter Library. 

I am honored to serve as a member of the State Republican Central Committee, and have had perfect meeting and voting attendance since 2011 when I was elected to represent Salt Lake County. I am also honored to serve on the Salt Lake County Republican Bylaws Committee. 

During the last year I have actively fought to improve our current system of elections and to educate those that the proposed initiative was flawed and would favor incumbents, wealthy and famous and would not improve our elections. I actively fought initial language in 2014 SB 54 that would have eliminated the new person showing up the night of the Neighborhood Caucus Elections and being able to run for state or county delegate. I do not favor the "Lexus Lane to the Ballot" for the rich and famous and will work continue to fight for and improve our system.

Come meet with me at my Town Hall Meeting this Wednesday at the Hunter Library.

For more information, see my website at:

http://www.fredcox4utah.com/

See it for Facebook, Twitter, and other social media links.

Please feel free to call or write with any questions. 

Fred C. Cox 
801-966-2636 (home) 
fred@fredcox4utah.com
 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Fred Cox for Utah State House Distirct 30

"I believe we must stand up and be heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. As a former member of the State House for 2011 and 2012, I have been heard, standing up to protect your rights. That fight continues. "

Education Excellence, Clean Air and Water, States Rights and the Economy

Education Excellence
As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings and will continue to advocate for an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. I would hope 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 funding doesn’t seem to make it to the classroom. We need to work to help make that better.

Clean Air and Water
I was the Salt Lake Solar Day 2012, "Greenest Republican in the State" for sponsoring 2012 H.B. 262 Building Code Amendments, and continued working to adopt the current IECC (energy code for houses and buildings) during the 2013 session. That bill passed and the current code is expected to be effective July 1, 2014. The amount of energy use and pollution caused by buildings is critical. I also worked for over a year to increase flexibility and ability for property owners to capture and use storm / rain water. At the end of the 2013 session, that bill passed the House, 75 to 0, and was signed by the Governor.

States Rights
The US Constitution specifically states: "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". The US Government continues to trample on this and others of our constitutional protected rights. The government powers are not only separated in 3 branches, but between the Federal and the States.  This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns.

Economy
Utah is the best fiscally managed state. Utah repeats this year as Forbes top 3 Best States for Business and Careers. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back through 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 in partisan political matters.

Parties
I have no problem working with both parties. All four bills that I sponsored that passed the House in 2011 and 2012 were floor sponsored by a democrat 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. 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.

Continuing Work
For the 2013 Session, I had prepared several bills. Due to the results of redistricting and the 2012 election I was able to transfer 4 bills to other legislators, and help to get those bills though both Houses and signed by the Governor. One bill was dropped when the state agency reversed their policy and it was no longer needed. A sixth bill was not needed when a similar bill was passed and signed into law. 


During the last year I have actively fought to improve our current system of elections and to educate those that the proposed initiative is flawed and will favor incumbents, wealthy and famous and will not improve our elections. For more information on this subject see my other blog:  

http://fairelectionsutah.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 2, 2014

A Resolution Declaring the Count My Vote Initiative A Violation of First Amendment Freedoms

A Resolution Declaring the "Count My Vote" Initiative
A Violation of First Amendment Freedoms


WHEREAS, The Count My Vote initiative seeks to eliminate the process that was chosen by the political parties in Utah to select the candidates that best represent them; and,

WHEREAS, The Utah Republican Party has free association rights guaranteed under the Constitution; which entitles political parties to determine how they select their nominees for office; and,

WHEREAS, The state of Utah can regulate the free exercise of political rights only if it satisfies a compelling state interest that is narrowly defined; and,

WHEREAS, The burden will be on the state of Utah to prove they have a compelling interest that mandates significant interference with the autonomy and choice of all political parties in Utah; and,

WHEREAS, The Supreme Court has shown great deference in respecting how political parties exercise their First Amendment rights in the candidate selection process; and,

WHEREAS, The citizen initiative process does not allow for the trampling of Constitutional freedoms, regardless of how many signatures are obtained;

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Central Committee of the Utah Republican Party believes the Count My Vote initiative violates the right of free association guaranteed in the First Amendment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That regardless of how well intentioned, we stand against all government overreach and control that violates our shared Constitutional freedoms.

Submitted by Aaron Gabrielson
March 1, 2014

This Resolution Passed the Utah Republican State Central Committee with no votes against on March 1, 2014