Saturday, December 2, 2017

Fred Cox for Utah House of Representatives 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.


It was one of the reasons I was awarded the Libertas 2016 Defenders of Liberty Award.


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 to make sure the legislature didn’t ignore the idea of replacing the prison in Draper, which I believed would have saved over $100 Million, which has since been shown to be true.

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.

Bills I worked on are covered in more detail here:

I also had the reputation of reading through 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 2018 or campaign contribution.

For contributions, checks can be sent to:

Fred C. Cox, Campaign Fund
4466 Early Duke St.
West Valley City, UT 84120-5723

Online donations can be made though my Square account for
$5 to $250, or multiples of any of those.

For updated information, see my social media sites at:

including my blog at:

Thank you again for your interest,
Fred C. Cox for Utah House District 30

801-966-2636 home

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Count My Vote or Blank Check Vote

Updated based on current version.

Whether or not you agree that the caucus and convention system which did NOT favor the incumbent, wealthy or famous, as being a good thing, the New Count My Vote 2.1 is worse.
 
Currently you can at least watch what your legislator does during the session and if you don't like it, you can either run or help someone run against them by filing after the session ends.

CMV 2.1 changes the deadline to be selected by the party OR to submit signatures by the first business day after March 1st., lines 469, 476). (worse than CMV2.0)

They are saying we have to have the caucus and county and state party conventions during February, when the Utah Legislature is meeting!

This takes away part of the accountability of these elected officials.

Most of the bills will pass after the new proposed filing deadline and it will take time prior to qualify and so it would be two years until you have a chance to hold your State Representative accountable or perhaps four years for your State Senator or Governor depending on their end of term.

So much for accountability to the people. Is this initiative is written to protect incumbents?

Do we call this Count My Vote or Blank Check Vote?

https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/2018%20Election/Initiatives/Count%20My%20Vote%20Addendum.pdf

What is the major problem technically? 

The new CMV2 violates the Utah Constitution Art VI sec 1, (2) (a) (i) (B ) for lines 97 to 107.

IF they CAN constitutionally combine an initiative and a referendum of advance legislation, which the constitution has as separate powers and the state law has different requirements for, the state constitution is very clear a referendum can not repeal bills passed by a 2/3 vote of both legislative houses. This is written to include repeal of those, even before they exist, violating the part of the State Constitution they are using to create CMV2. 

Other major problems?

While it will cost less to get on the primary ballot under CMV2, it will cost a lot more to actually run and win elections making lobbyists and corporations, or the wealthy and famous even more powerful in elections.

There are no geographical requirements for signatures within a district or state so the potential of fly over counties and cities and area becomes much worse.

What should Count My Vote 2.1 actually change?

IF they really want to change elections, they should get rid of straight party voting as people can now get on the general election ballot as an unaffiliated candidate with signatures bypassing the political parties, and have been able to for many years. They just have a harder time wining with straight party voting. CMV2 does nothing to help unaffiliated voters. That would.

The next thing they should look at is Ranked Choice Voting and not the expensive run off primaries that are part of CMV2, that have poor voter turnout and cost millions each election.

Ranked Choice voting Video

Don't sign their initiative. It makes elections worse and not better.  

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Granite Bond Proposal or Short Term Memory

Note, this is a copy of some random facebook posts. I will see if I have time to come back with something more formal.  

I like safe buildings. I do however feel I have been lied to. 

When GSD promoted the $256,000,000 bond last time, it was with the promise that they would not be raising taxes, which they already have for a different reason. Bonding for any more prior to paying off what they currently have goes against what we were told.

Yes, they promised no tax increase for the last bond, which they followed. I noted that the tax increase was for a different reason. Yes they need "permission" to raise taxes, in that they have to have a truth in taxation hearing after telling people they are planning on doing it and listening or ignoring all those that come to oppose the tax increase.

And yes, we were shown (for the last bond) a plan that had no tax increase in the future, which they either scrapped or decided it was bogus.

I don't like being lied to and yes they are related. Is 100% of the 12% property tax increase going directly to and only to teachers for a 12% raise? What percentage of the money coming from the State is going to capital improvements now and you do notice the end of this article. 

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685951/Granite-School-Board-unanimously-adopts-12-property-tax-increase.html

For several years, the districts have asked the state to allow them to have an exception to use state money to some extent for capital improvements. That has been in state law with an ongoing sunset.

It is possible that will expire about the same time as the Jordan School District split solution. I was not in the #utleg when that solution was crafted, but I do know there have been new protections put in place to avoid another district being created and leaving the remainder with big problems.


What did they say last time?

http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=13571362&itype=NGPSID

Granite had been working on a $17 Million per year budget for new and fixed buildings, but decided to use it for the 2009 bond for over $256 Million. They were supposed to have everything all figured out until it got paid off and then use the $17 Million again for the same thing.

http://www.graniteschools.org/superintendent/2009/09/answers-to-bond-questions/
(Note, since I posted the above link, the district website has deleted this information. I have the screen shot, but the text has now been added below). 

When they borrowed the $256 Million, they promised they would pay if off before coming back. If they had paid off the current bond and then they decided they couldn't do it for $17 Million a year anymore that would be one thing, but not only did they sell the voters a line, they sold the investors a line as well


http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100419007196/en/Fitch-Rates-Granite-School-District-Utah-Bonds 

They have known the current seismic problems have existed for some time. I guess air conditioning was a higher priority for the $256 Million bond last time? How long before the $256 Million is paid back?

"Voters authorized general obligation bonding of $256 million in November 2009. As of June 2013, the district had issued $231 million and had remaining authorization of $25 million. The bond money has been used to rebuild Granger High School, Olympus High School, Oakwood Elementary, Woodstock Elementary, and the Hartvigsen School. In addition, the funding was used to build 2 new elementary schools (Elk Run and Armstrong), and to provide air conditioning for all schools in the district. The district plans to issue the remaining $25 million of bond authorization during the 2017-18 school year. The funds are budgeted to build a new elementary school and to purchase a school site."


For the New Proposed Bond, most of the rebuild/remodel for phase one do not have the " * Projects to be financed with bond proceeds (Utah Code 53A-18-102) ". According to the GSD mailer on the bond, only 5 of 31 listed school projects are being funded by the proposed bond.  So how is the district paying for those other projects? Will they issue another new bond in a few years or do they already have the money for those?

While the DA is investigating one school district re: this issue, it has not been reported they are also investigating GSD. Perhaps they should be.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2017/10/23/critics-of-the-campaign-for-canyons-school-districts-283m-bond-are-eager-to-follow-the-money-if-only-they-could/


I received a well written Voter information tri-fold by GSD in the mail, addressed to Registered Voter at my address. Even though it was just one side of the issue and obviously has bias, it had great information. My complaint does not focus there.  


The GSD is advertising for the bond using district money, at least via Facebook. 

The ad doesn't not agree with the tri-fold and implies that all the projects are being paid by the bond, which appears to be false advertising, if the tri-fold is correct.

Everything I have seen shows the District is paying for the promoting of the bond.

Update:  There is a PIC or a PAC 
Approx. $30,000 has been raised to promote the bond, most large donations are from Architects (not me) or Engineers or Contractors that would benefit from the bond.

http://www.parentsforgranite.org/supporters/

PAC
 https://disclosures.utah.gov/Search/PublicSearch/FolderDetails/1414818

PIC
https://disclosures.utah.gov/Search/PublicSearch/FolderDetails/1414862

 UPDATE
From the 2009 Q&A from the District Website, recently deleted.


Answers to bond questions

1. How can we be sure the Board won’t raise taxes for this bond – like the ballot says they can?
The Board of Education has very publicly committed not to raise taxes to pay for these bonds.  Historically the Board of Education has kept its promises.  To break this promise would significantly compromise the ability of individual board members to be reelected.
2. What is to hold the board to their commitment?
The Board of Education unanimously approved the “project list.”  Historically the Board of Education has kept its promises.  To deviate from that list would significantly compromise the ability of individual board members to be reelected.
3. If we don’t live in the county can we still vote?
 Only residents of Granite School District will be involved in this election.
4. Will only two new elementary schools be needed in the West Valley/Magna area in the next 20 years?
We know the area  needs two right now and the pay-as-you-go strategy is not sufficient to build those.
5. Where did the $17 million come from?
The $17 million comes out of the capital outlay budget.
6. Where will students be located while our school is being rebuilt?
This will need to be evaluated.  It has been our practice to hold school in the existing building for school while the new building is built whenever possible.  Communities are involved in this planning.
7. What would happen if an unseen emergency/catastrophic need arises?
The district is insured for emergencies and catastrophes.  A significant contingency plan has been built into this bond and we are certain that we will be able to complete the list.
8. What schools will be air conditioned first?
As soon as the bond is passed we will develop a strategy for getting all schools air conditioned as quickly as possible.  It is unlikely that any single contractor would be able to do all the schools at once so we will consider multiple contractors and review their suggestions as to how to move most quickly.
9. How were buildings identified for rebuild?
A number of factors go into this identification, including such considerations as instructional appropriateness, age of building, seismic ratings, cost of maintenance, cost of utilities, condition of roof, stable student populations and so on.  Olympus and Granger High schools rose to the top of the list as did Oakwood and Woodstock Elementary schools.
10. Can we use swamp coolers instead of air conditioners?
There are a number of factors that make swamp coolers less desirable instructionally than air conditioning including noise, humidity and dust.


Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Why a Redistricting Commission may make things worse

Why a Redistricting Commission may make things worse

For our transportation organization, UTA, an un-elected board didn’t work as well as most would have liked. Do we want another un-elected commission?

Both in 2016 and 2017, Rep. M. Nelson proposed rules (passed the House but not the Senate, yet) that would help solve the problem that happened the last time the Utah Legislature passed new redistricting maps. In 2011, the legislative redistricting committee had really good rules and goals, but then both political parties threatened law suits and many of the ideals were abandoned. If we could just get one or two specific Republican State Senators to go along, the new proposed rules would likely pass. Those rules, and having the elected legislature create the maps, would work much better than having an "independent" un-elected redistricting commission where the one independent person gets to make the final decision.  

Even though I was not on the redistricting committee last time, I drew maps for the 2011 redistricting bills and some were officially voted on. My Congressional "Hat and Three Stripes Map" was the most favored by the committee, prior to the political parties’ involvement. I even had a similar map Senate Sponsored by Sen. Ben McAdams, the only bi-partisan Congressional District Map. (No, it didn't pass).

The maps I drew to start with had one goal in mind: to keep the districts as close to city and county lines as possible, using major roads or other obvious boundaries such as rivers, etc. I had the Congressional District divided with very few county or city boundaries crossed. My state political party chair threatened to sue the state if that map was adopted. I tried to make it fair. I wasn't trying to favor one party over the other, but didn't use any political party stats to create it. I had the Congressional District maps balanced to one person. 

If the rules that the committee was trying to follow were placed as legislative rules, it would have avoided the threats of lawsuits for following them. Outside groups created state house, state senate and state school board maps down to just a few people, while to keep the county and city boundaries as close as possible, the state house and state senate districts needed a larger difference between districts, perhaps 2% to 3%. When these other groups started doing that, we followed and we started losing district boundaries that made sense. Creating districts with populations this close actually made things worse. This is another reason for the rules being adopted differently.

At least for the Utah House map, only one State Representative voted against the final map. It initially passed 74 to 1. However, she won in 2012 and I lost. The map wasn't perfect, and I knew it would be tougher to win, but I voted for it because my area made more sense than other options, and we were creating new districts even though several State House Members would end up running against each other. We even changed the house district numbers for these combined districts so no one would have an advantage.

Remember many years ago, Rep. Merrill Nelson lost because he wanted fair redistricting boundaries more than getting elected. I repeated that in 2012. If the State House boundaries were so bad, why did all but one democrat in the House vote for that map?

With additional legislative rules in place prior to redistricting in 2021, it will be better to have an elected body create the maps rather than an appointed body that has no accountability. Didn’t learn anything from UTA?

Vote No on a Redistricting Commission.

Fred C. Cox, former member of the Utah State House of Representatives, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016. West Valley City, Utah
 
https://le.utah.gov/~2016/bills/static/HJR005.html

https://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/HJR001.html



Thursday, September 28, 2017

Count My Vote or Blank Check Vote

So the Incumbent protection for the Utah Legislature and Governor is in the Count My Vote?

Currently you can at least watch what your legislator does during the session and if you don't like it, you can either run or help someone run against them by filing after the session ends. (March 1st, Line number 321).

This takes away part of the accountability of these elected officials.

Most of the bills will pass after the new proposed filing deadline and so it would be two years until you have a chance to hold your State Representative accountable or perhaps four years for your State Senator or Governor depending on their end of term.

So much for accountability to the people. Is this initiative is written to protect incumbents?

Do we call this Count My Vote or Blank Check Vote?

https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/2018%20Election/Initiatives/Count%20My%20Vote%20Application.pdf

Is this the only problems?

No, there is a typo on line 95, with a reference that isn't correct. How many other errors are there in this initiative? It clearly isn't ready.

What is the major problem technically? 

The new CMV2 violates the Utah Constitution Art VI sec 1, (2) (a) (i) (B ) for lines 88 to 95.

IF they CAN constitutionally combine an initiative and a referendum of advance legislation, which the constitution has as separate powers and the state law has different requirements for, the state constitution is very clear a referendum can not repeal bills passed by a 2/3 vote of both legislative houses. This is written to include repeal of those, even before they exist, violating the part of the State Constitution they are using to create CMV2. 

Other major problems?

While it will cost less to get on the primary ballot under CMV2, it will cost a lot more to actually run and win elections making lobbyists and corporations, or the wealthy and famous even more powerful in elections.

There are no geographical requirements for signatures within a district or state so the potential of fly over counties and cities and area becomes much worse.

What should Count My Vote 2 actually change?

IF they really want to change elections, they should get rid of straight party voting as people can now get on the general election ballot as an unaffiliated candidate with signatures bypassing the political parties, and have been able to for many years. They just have a harder time wining with straight party voting. CMV2 does nothing to help unaffiliated voters. That would.

The next thing they should look at is Ranked Choice Voting and not the expensive run off primaries that are part of CMV2, that have poor voter turnout and cost millions each election.

Ranked Choice voting Video

Don't sign their initiative. It makes elections worse and not better.



Friday, September 22, 2017

Original Sponsored Bills from 2011 to 2016

Some comments in the 2016 Election mentioned my effectiveness. I can make this bill list look much larger and pad this list with Co-Sponsored Bills, but those bills are sponsored by someone else and you just sign to endorse them. No other work is required.

Original Sponsored Bills
(Not including Substitute versions,  Co-Sponsored or Floor Sponsored Bills, or amendments to other bills or helping pass or defeat other bills)

2011
HB0221S01    Classic Car Inspections (Gov. Signed)
HB0227    Test Driving Vehicles (Industry Changed)
HB0281    Sex Offender and Kidnapping Amendments (See 2012)
HB0377    Higher Education Textbook Fairness Act (Agency Changed Policy)
HB0380    Utah Lands Protection Act (See 2012)

Several Redistricting map proposals

2012
HB0018S01    Kidnapping Offender Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0067S03    Storm Water Capture Amendments (See 2013)
HB0209S01    Utah Lands Protection Act (Alternate Bill passed)
HB0262    Building Code Amendments (Modified in 2013)

2013 (Sponsored for 2013, Transferred, passed and Gov. signed)
HB0036    Storm Water Capture Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0215    Water Quality Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0262    Unaffiliated Voter Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0338    Alimony Revisions (passed, Gov. Signed)

2015
HB0029    Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board Amendments (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0126S02    Design Professionals - Amendments (Alternate Passed in 2016)
HB0162    Construction Trades Continuing Education Amendments (See 2016)
HB0177S02    Modifications to Voting Law (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0243    Vintage Vehicle Amendments (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0281    Revisions to Elections Law
HB0286    Building Code Amendments (Alternate Bill Passed 2016)
HB0448    Disabled Adult Child Guardianship (1/2 passed in another bill)
HB0450    Licensing Modifications (See 2016)


Alternate to moving the Draper Prison

2016
HB0011S02    Referendum Amendments
HB0065S01    Exemption from Daylight Saving Time
HB0069    Qualified Political Party Amendments
HB0080    Vehicle Impound Amendments
HB0101S02 Disabled Adult Guardianship Amendments (Passed and Gov. Signed)
HB0108    Licensing Amendments
HB0109 Construction Trades Education Amendments (Alternate Passed)
HB0125    Fire Code Amendments (Alternate Construction and Fire Codes Passed)
HB0152S01    Voted and Board Local Levy Modifications (passed in HB1)
HB0256    Net Metering of Electricity Amendments
HB0261    Wood Burning Stoves Amendments
HB0269    Recycling of Copper Wire (Passed and Gov Signed)
HB0361    Air Quality Modifications (Included in other passed bill)
HB0429    Specie Legal Tender Amendments
HJR011    Joint Resolution Designating Utah as a Purple Heart State (Passed and Lt. Gov. Signed)

See also:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2016/04/floor-power-rating-and-bill-sponsor.html
Also see the Session Update for each year

Monday, August 14, 2017

I have NOT endorsed Julie Dole for County Recorder. She isn't the Recorder Now. She wasn't legally appointed.

I have NOT endorsed Julie Dole for County Recorder. Since there is a new post with my photo with a 2011 endorsement for Julie Dole for SLCo Gop Chair being posted on the web, by Julie, I should clarify. If you read it carefully, it asks what is changed. Initially I just thought it to be a very public way of pointing out I have NOT endorsed her for SLCo Recorder for Thursday to fill the vacancy caused when Gary Ott stepped down.

If you don't read it clearly, some have assumed to be a current endorsement, which is NOT true. I have now seen perhaps Nineteen of these for different people, some of which are active candidates for the office. As far as I know, None of these has endorsed her for the current race. It is possible this is a violation of state law 76-9-407.

I have also posted this reply: [Julie] I do believe you have worked very hard for the last 4 years, (thank you) but we are looking to replace Gary Ott. You have made sure Gary was able to win in 2014 and stay in office for this long despite his current limitations.

It appears you have assumed the office of Salt Lake County Recorder the last couple of weeks without an appointment contrary to 20A-1-508 and 17-16-7 and apparent violation of 76-8-203. I do believe you can run the office [as deputy] until the council appoints the party nominee, most likely on the 22nd.

I don't know who will be nominated to be our party nominee on Thursday. We are taking nominees from the floor, so it could be almost anyone.

I did say this: Mel Nimer is someone I trust that has the knowledge, experience and ideas to tackle the current problems with the Salt Lake Recorder's office, and make it work for everyone and not just title companies. There are great people in the office that have worked hard for many years. I believe Mel will solve the recent lack of computer coordination with the surveyor's and assessor's offices.

[Update]
When the Salt Lake County Sheriff stepped down, it was announced Undersheriff Scott Carver would be acting Sheriff. He didn't assume the office of sherriff, but correctly stated

" In the absence of the sheriff, the undersheriff has full authority to act as the sheriff for operational and administrative purposes. He, along with the many very experienced and highly qualified supervisory staff, and the even more important line staff, will ensure that the mission of the Sheriff’s Office and the Unified Police Department is carried out in the most effective and professional way. We will continue to serve the citizens of this county with unwavering commitment and without interruption of service in any way."

"Once the Salt Lake County Council notifies the Utah Democratic Party of the vacancy, they will begin the process of filling the position. This process should be completed within 45-60 days."

If the DA thought they would get this with Julie Dole, Chief Deputy, acting as Recorder, they were wrong. It appears she illegally assumed the office she hasn't been appointed to.

She now is implying endorsements for County Recorder that are 6 years old for a different office, asking what has changed. She has. The public was deceived in 2014 apparently by Julie to get Gary Ott elected. She got the money and now has assumed the office. Since no one seems to be willing to endorse her she is now implying fake ones as well.

Monday, August 7, 2017

2011 to 2016 Original Sponsored Bills

Some comments in the 2016 Election mentioned my effectiveness. I can make this bill list look much larger and pad this list with Co-Sponsored Bills, but those bills are sponsored by someone else and you just sign to endorse them. No other work is required.

Original Sponsored Bills
(Not including Substitute versions,  Co-Sponsored or Floor Sponsored Bills)

2011
HB0221S01    Classic Car Inspections (Gov. Signed)
HB0227    Test Driving Vehicles (Industry Changed)
HB0281    Sex Offender and Kidnapping Amendments (See 2012)
HB0377    Higher Education Textbook Fairness Act (Agency Changed Policy)
HB0380    Utah Lands Protection Act (See 2012)

Several Redistricting map proposals

2012
HB0018S01    Kidnapping Offender Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0067S03    Storm Water Capture Amendments (See 2013)
HB0209S01    Utah Lands Protection Act (Alternate Bill passed)
HB0262    Building Code Amendments (Modified in 2013)

2013 (Sponsored for 2013, Transferred, passed and Gov. signed)
HB0036    Storm Water Capture Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0215    Water Quality Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0262    Unaffiliated Voter Amendments (passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0338    Alimony Revisions (passed, Gov. Signed)

2015
HB0029    Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board Amendments (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0126S02    Design Professionals - Amendments (Alternate Passed in 2016)
HB0162    Construction Trades Continuing Education Amendments (See 2016)
HB0177S02    Modifications to Voting Law (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0243    Vintage Vehicle Amendments (Passed, Gov. Signed)
HB0281    Revisions to Elections Law
HB0286    Building Code Amendments (Alternate Bill Passed 2016)
HB0448    Disabled Adult Child Guardianship (1/2 passed in another bill)
HB0450    Licensing Modifications (See 2016)


Alternate to moving the Draper Prison

2016
HB0011S02    Referendum Amendments
HB0065S01    Exemption from Daylight Saving Time
HB0069    Qualified Political Party Amendments
HB0080    Vehicle Impound Amendments
HB0101S02 Disabled Adult Guardianship Amendments (Passed and Gov. Signed)
HB0108    Licensing Amendments
HB0109 Construction Trades Education Amendments (Alternate Passed)
HB0125    Fire Code Amendments (Alternate Construction and Fire Codes Passed)
HB0152S01    Voted and Board Local Levy Modifications (passed in HB1)
HB0256    Net Metering of Electricity Amendments
HB0261    Wood Burning Stoves Amendments
HB0269    Recycling of Copper Wire (Passed and Gov Signed)
HB0361    Air Quality Modifications (Included in other passed bill)
HB0429    Specie Legal Tender Amendments
HJR011    Joint Resolution Designating Utah as a Purple Heart State (Passed and Lt. Gov. Signed)

See also:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2016/04/floor-power-rating-and-bill-sponsor.html
Also see the Session Update for each year

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Is it OK if the Governor games the system

 Is it OK if the Governor games the system?
  
The Governor would not call a special session that was requested by both state houses and political parties because he didn't want someone to game the system so the Governor created the system that caused a GOP primary. The Legislature, under the US Constitution, was supposed to set the overall rules, but he would not let them do it. Now the Governor endorses someone that lost at convention and wouldn't still be in the running if the Governor hadn't set up this system.

Isn't that gaming the system?

Remember that hundreds of thousands of voters came out to the 2016 caucus meetings including democrats. They elected the tens of thousands of delegates. Democrats picked their nominee using the delegate system. They have no primary. We get a couple of Buy My Ballot Spot candidates that could have just as easily gone straight to the general election if they didn't want to go though the caucus/convention system. That is costing us 3 months more not having 4 representatives in Congress. We could be voting among all candidates in August.

It is the people's choice of who to fill the vacancy for the 3rd Congressional District as stated in the US Constitution. The Governor doesn't get to appoint this particular vacancy so now he is endorsing?

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Do Not combine Salt Lake County Surveyor and Recorder Offices

"But County Mayor Ben McAdams said Friday that he would push to eliminate the recorder position altogether and merge it into the surveyor's office in an effort to "save tax dollars and streamline services." Both offices deal with real estate and land issues."

This is a Bad idea. I have for over 30 years regularly used the recorder's office, the surveyor's office or website, and the assessor's office website. It is true that they need to communicate with each other. The Surveyor and Assessor websites function fairly well and are free to use. Because of the cost to use it, the Recorder's website might as well be non existent to anyone that doesn't work for a title company. It however needs to be separate.

The Recorder's office has some really great staff, such as Rich (who knows how to do anything or knows who does), and the front counter staff. The computers that staff uses for most customers work much better than years ago.

If you are looking for an easement from pre-statehood, the 1/2 size record books with the large magnifying glass are a pain to use and see clearly. The Office has them on the computer (which you can see better zoomed in) which didn't work the last time I needed it. It was working for the out of office people. It can take a while to use the microfiche cards, but you don't need to use them as much as you used to. Gary, over the last 15 or so years has made things work much better.

The reason I met Rich several years ago, was I came in to the office and asked Gary how to do something with an existing condo plat. He said Rich would know. Kenneth "Rich" Richmond is a rock-star in that office.

As an architect, I can read property boundary descriptions and easements. I know how important these and deeds are to owners and developers. They need to be right.  I have also learned over the years that is better to know who knows something, that promote that you know everything yourself. I know a lot about a few things and a little about a lot of things, but if you meet someone that says they know everything about everything.....RUN!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Chris Herrod is the best candidate for Utah Congressional District 3

I wore Chris Herrod and Deidre Henderson stickers at the special Congressional District 3 GOP Convention and so I was thrilled one of them won.

Chris Herrod supported Ted Crus for POTUS. He supports limiting Federal over reach and protecting our freedoms. He believes in the US Constitution and would support that over whoever is President of the US. He married someone from Ukraine and is not a fan of Russia as he lived under Soviet rule for a few years. He has been pro-legal immigration for years. His wife's family came from Muslim upbringing and he isn't prejudiced. I have a few friends that voted for Trump only because Hillary was such a bad candidate. I didn't vote for either. 


Chris Herrod is the best candidate running for Utah's Congressional District 3 "vacancy". I served with Chris in the Utah Legislature in 2011 and 2012. He cares deeply for this county. He has my full support and endorsement.

Remember that hundreds of thousands of voters came out to the 2016 caucus meetings including democrats. They elected the tens of thousands of delegates. Democrats picked their nominee using the delegate system. They have no primary. We get a couple of Buy My Ballot Spot candidates that could have just as easily gone straight to the general election if they didn't want to go though the caucus/convention system. That is costing us 3 months more not having 4 representatives in Congress. We could be voting among all candidates in August.

For more information for Chris Herrod, go to
http://herrodforcongress.com/

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Background on 2016 HB 69 and why it is important now

Email sent June 2, 2017
 
SCC members. Sorry for this email. I thought it was important as we are not scheduled to meet in June 2017 anymore as a SCC.

Background on 2016 HB 69 and why it is important now. Violating our own party C&B may cause our selection on June 17th to be in question. Perhaps that is the intent?


See lines 78 to 83.

While 2014 SB 54 was being created and passing, I kept making fun of the concept that the party would need a hall for 8,000 delegates under the QPP status. 4,000 in the hall and 4,000 ready to step in if someone didn't show. As late as 2016 I was proposing to change our Party C & B so it would match the QPP for alternate delegates or change the law to match our Party C&B (Constitution and Bylaws). My attempt to change the law was hijacked and then failed.

In discussing this concern with Mark Thomas at the Lt. Gov. office at the time he said that they had determined, in consultation with the AG's office that the party having a deadline of 5 days or 8 days or 14 days to change out delegates prior to the convention was reasonable and they accepted the party as a QPP for the 2016/2017 elections. We wouldn't need a hall for 8,000 state delegates and alternates because we would know someone needed to be replaced if they simply told us in advance.

I also personally asked the 2014 SB 54 sponsor what his intent was just prior to a SCC meeting. He said he didn't like the last minute appointments and wanted to have as many vote as possible and mentioned what we do at National RNC conventions with delegates and alternate delegates. That might work fine for 40 delegates from Utah, that are not voting on different races but the party opted to create a process to replace delegates (alternate delegates) and it is in our party C & B

If we don't follow our C & B, which includes deadlines such as 5 days prior to the convention to replace delegates (alternate delegates) are we saying we were not a QPP for the 2016 elections? While the party may not have done what the original sponsor of 2014 SB 54 wanted re: alternate delegates, it seemed to be fine during his 2016 race. Does he want to invalidate his election in 2016 or invalidate our party's selection of a nominee to replace Rep. Jason Chaffetz on June 17th.

I have contacted two party officers on this issue. one agreed and the other said it was a moot point, potentially referring to someone posting 20A-9-101 at the last convention to justify not following our party C&B. I am more worried at this point at the 2016 elections and at the nomination of our candidate for CD3 in 2 weeks to replace Rep. Chaffetz.

If our Party C&B has a 5 day deadline to change our delegates prior to the 17th, we should follow it. Someone claiming we are violating the QPP status needs to remember those deadlines were specifically allowed by both the Lt. Gov office and the AG office for the 2016 elections.

If anyone questions my talking to Mark Thomas (Chief Deputy/Director of Elections, Utah) last year on this issue, re: 2016 HB 69, call him. I confirmed our conversation with him this week.

Fred C. Cox, Salt Lake County
2015-2017 SCC member and 2017-2019 SCC member

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

We do Not need the Buy My Ballot Spot system

We never needed the Buy My Ballot Spot (2014 SB 54) for someone to get on the ballot if they didn't want to go though the parties. Just get 300 signatures from their friends or 1000 signatures for a state wide race and go directly to the General Election as an Unaffiliated Candidate.

The Buy My Ballot Spot with paid signature gatherers favors the rich and famous. Why do they need State Mandated help?



My Poll Results from respondents. Survey was sent to all active voters in House District 30 in West Valley City in January 2016 (not just one party)


A federal judge has ruled that a portion of the law that passed in 2014, SB 54 Elections Amendments, is not constitutional for two political parties, the Utah Republican and the Utah Constitution parties. This part of the law requires the political parties allow voters who were not members of their party to select their party’s nominee. Because of that ruling, candidates of the Utah Constitution Party cannot use the optional signature route to get on the party primary ballot. (They don’t have enough members). They are OK with the ruling because they didn’t want the State telling their Party how to select its nominees.

Voters can only sign one candidate petition per race but might be able to sign a form to remove their signature, if they act fast enough, and sign someone else’s petition.

In some areas of the State, there are not enough registered Republican Party voters to make the signature party nominee route fair. Candidates using the signature route likely will have to register to do so prior to the legislative session and then all candidates will register after the legislative session. If someone decides to run for Party Nominee after the legislative session, there is almost no time to gather signatures.


The Utah Republican Party, who wasn’t part of the “compromise” is still contesting the law in court. A special legislative session to fix the law based on the court ruling was not called by the Governor.

30% The legislature should provide minor fixes of the current election law and see what happens in 2016.

53% The legislature should repeal this petition law because the court’s ruling has caused the law to become unfair to some candidates in some political parties.

17% It is too late for the legislature to do anything this election year, but I will not be signing any signature party nominee petitions this year.


(Disclaimer, I have personally fought the signature party nominee route because I believe it favors the incumbents, the rich and the famous. While I [was] an incumbent and plan on running for [election] after the legislative session though the neighborhood caucus and convention system, I am NOT also using the signature route because I do not believe that route is fair).

Do Not Sign Our Schools Now

Do you support Our Schools Now?
No, What was originally a 20% income tax increase, and then reduced to 17.5%, is now a 10% income tax increase and a 10.6% sales tax increase.[update, they are now saying it is only a 9% income tax increase and a 9.6% sales tax increase]
 A  tax increase is not the answer, especially when there is no limit generally to what is spent on Higher Education which can be spent by the same Education Fund. While OSN places new limits for new money, it doesn't solve the underlying problem.

If the Legislature doesn't fund Higher Education to the level the Regents want, (and put some more back for K-12 Public Education), the Regents simply raise tuition and blame the legislature. That must change.  

We also do not spend all the $4.84 Billion K-12 Public Education funds in the best way, with too much of it not getting directly to classroom teaching. 

Read what the proposed bill says. How much local control do you want taken from a school? See the bottom of page 6.
https://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/initiatives 

See how much of our State Tax Money for K-12 Public Education is going where:

https://le.utah.gov/lfa/cobi/currentCobi/cobi.html?cobiID=8&tab=overviewTab

click on the uses and also see where it comes from.

Take a look at the $1.81 Higher Education Budget as well.
 https://le.utah.gov/lfa/cobi/currentCobi/cobi.html?cobiID=6&tab=overviewTab

The proposed amended initiative has this at the bottom
Persons gathering signatures for the petition may be paid for doing so.

This initiative petition seeks to (a) increase the current state sales tax rate by .45 percent, resulting in a 9.6 percent increase in the current state sales tax rate, and (b) increase the current income tax rate by .45 percent, resulting in a 9 percent increase in the current tax rate.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Voting Ratings for 2017

Note: I was not in the legislature in 2017.  (I will be running in 2018 and hope to be back in 2019)

 Below is what I posted a year ago. As the ratings/rankings come in for 2017 for my current representative, I will be posting them below. See the bottom of this post for additional links. 

Winder 2017 Votes for the General Session are at:
Unlike what I have always done, there are no public postings yet for all votes together, but you can look up each bill vote at le.utah.gov

Cox 2016 Votes for the General Session are at:
 http://www.fredcox4utah.com/2016GenSessionVotes.pdf 
(2011, 2012, 2015 votes are also shown on this blog. Look in March of each year)

Winder 2017 Utah Grassroots, 38%, tied for 39 of 75, Average House 44%)
Winder: 38% lifetime average.
http://www.utahgrassroots.org/annual/

Cox: 2016 Utah Grassroots, 57%, tied for 11th of 75, (Average House 36%)
Cox: 69% lifetime average. 
http://www.utahgrassroots.org/annual/2016/index.html
http://www.utahgrassroots.org/annual/2016/GrassRoots2016.pdf

Winder: Libertas 2016, 59% rating.  
 http://libertasutah.org/resources/legislator-indexes/the-2017-libertas-legislator-index/
 Cox: Libertas 2016 Defenders of Liberty Award, 94% rating.   

Winder 2017 Floor Voting Attendance 14 missed of 727 votes. 1.93%
http://adambrown.info/p/research/utah_legislature/absent?year=2017
Cox 2016 Floor Voting Attendance 2 missed of 657 votes. 0.30%


Winder: 2017 Utah Taxpayers Association, 83.3% rating, tied for 33rd place
http://www.utahtaxpayers.org/?p=7992
 http://www.utahtaxpayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-Scorecard-Final.pdf

Cox: 2016 Utah Taxpayers Association, 100% rating, tied for 1st place
http://www.utahtaxpayers.org/?p=7594

Winder: 2017 Heal Utah, 100%, A rating
http://www.healutah.org/2017-legislative-grades/

Cox: 2016 Heal Utah, 92%, A- rating
http://www.healutah.org/2016grades/ 

Winder: 2017 AFP-Utah, 84.48%, B rating, #38 in the House
https://utahscorecard.com/
https://utahscorecard.com/results/?leg[]=UTL000295&dist=30 
(no 2016 rating)

Winder: 2017 Salt Lake Chamber Business Champion. 
Cox: 2016 Salt Lake Chamber Business Champion, 89% rating (Also 2015, 2012 Business Champion.

 Winder: 2016 UEA, 78% rating,
http://www.myuea.org/issues_action/uea_under_the_dome/legislative_voting_records.aspx 
http://www.myuea.org/sites/utahedu/Uploads/files/Politics/2017%20Under%20the%20Dome/2017-HouseVotingRecords.pdf
Cox: 2016 UEA, 50% rating, 
http://www.myuea.org/issues_action/uea_under_the_dome/legislative_voting_records.aspx
http://www.myuea.org/sites/utahedu/Uploads/files/Politics/2016%20Under%20the%20Dome/2016-HouseVotingRecords.pdf
 
 
Winder Number of "No" Votes on the Floor, 28 votes or 3.9% #63 in the House (2017)
Cox: Number of "No" Votes on the Floor, 61 votes or 9.3%  #19 in the House (2016)
http://adambrown.info/p/research/utah_legislature/nay?year=2016

Winder: Party Line Voting 79.6%, 66th in the House (2017)
Cox: Party Line Voting 70% 68th in the House (2016)
http://adambrown.info/p/research/utah_legislature/party_support


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These I am still looking up or they haven't been released

Cox: 2016 Sutherland Institute Legislative Scorecard, 94% rating.
http://sutherlandinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-legislator-scorecard-f.pdf


Cox: Utah School Board Association, 75% rating
http://usba.cc/
12 of 16 votes matching USBA stand on several bills.

Cox: UACC, 62% rating, tied for 12th of 75
http://www.utahnsagainstcommoncore.com/
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kOCUhwFq2DX9ZJY49Jq9ieZ56YQ1RHOIPR9Qjk3-kM8/edit#gid=0


Cox: 2016 Utah CLI Index 70% rating. 
http://utleg.blogspot.com/

Cox: Utah Chapter, Sierra Club, 50% rating 
https://utah.sierraclub.org/content/utah-legislative-scorecard 

Links for Cox, 2016 Ratings/Rankings:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2016/03/rep-fred-cox-voting-ratings-for-2016_12.html



For 2015 Session Ratings/Rankings and votes for previous years, see:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2015/03/rep-fred-cox-voting-ratings-for-2015.html

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Utah Republican Women's Liberty Caucus Q and A

The Utah Republican Women's Liberty Caucus Q and A
What is the proper role of government?
We specifically limited Government by the US and Utah Constitutions, but there are obvious areas where we need Government. Driving from our home to downtown, wouldn't happen without it. It has to provide basic infrastructure. There needs to be basic security. We have the option of deciding we do or we do not want something, such as a county theater in Taylorsville, or proving basic safety and having enough jail cells available vs a "catch and release" policy. We get to decide and we may not all agree. That is OK.
How do you plan to help candidates?
Candidates need some money and lots of volunteers. Over the years, I have primarily helped by volunteering. The Party organization should be a great source of volunteers and has been in the past, but not as much recently. That needs to change.
What are you going to do to improve the caucus registration and check in system? (Some people believe it takes too long. Many people have to re-register to vote, even if they have already recently registered?)
The Counties and the State Party have not been cooperating re: data. Salt Lake County tried something in 2016 that simply didn't work. I still do not have a list of the attendees for my district.
I was very involved when the SCC set up pre-registration for caucus night, along with Same Day Ballots for Fire Fighters, Police, Mom's with Sick Kids, etc. We can use simple methods and not a one size fits all method.
How can we ensure that party election results are more accurate and mistakes are avoided?
Mistakes can easily be avoided when we make counting simple. I was 2 votes shy of getting out of convention last year for the Utah Legislature Primary, but everyone knew the results at the same time as they were counted in front of us. We were able to find the "extra" delegate prior to the voting and remove their ballot, by simply counting off prior to voting. Jake Parkinson ran my House District election. It worked for 70 delegates. We make things too complicated when we don't have to.
How do you plan to protect the privacy of voting registration records and personally identifiable information?
There has to be a balance between getting information to voters and protecting privacy. Changes have been made in the last few years.
What does party loyalty mean to you?
Party loyalty is based on good principles and should not void voting our conscience. 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. 
I voted for or against thousands of bills for 4 legislative sessions. I didn't vote yes or no because of the sponsor or their party.
Do you support the caucus system? 
Yes. I have been on the front lines for several years for fighting to protect it.
For more info:
Do you support SB54 in its current legal form?
2014 SB 54 was a bad bill to start with. I was not in the Utah Legislature the year it passed but spoke against it for months prior to passage.
Was the original version of SB114 an acceptable solution to the perceived problems with SB54? 
No! 2017 SB 114 sailed through the Senate and was scheduled to be voted on a Monday morning prior to my writing the House Committee Sunday night. It was off the agenda within hours.
Some problems of the bill passed by the Senate I sent to the House Committee: Under SB 114, the filing deadline will move from March, a week after the end of the legislative session to the 5th working day of January. Obviously there are pros and cons to this change. I believe there will be a public backlash about the change of the filing deadline. It takes away any accountability from the legislature. If members of the House voted to do one thing and the voters didn't like it, the deadline to file to run as a candidate against an officeholder has passed and you will see voters cry foul. Perhaps that is the intent.
No Majority winner. 35% ?  The whole point in dealing with plurality is to get a majority winner that a party could stand behind. This doesn't do that.
Do you believe that the lawsuit should continue until SB54 is repealed in its entirety?
The lawsuit has caused heartburn for those wanting to raise money for the party, but most of that money has been spent and pulling out now would leave us in a worse position. Having an outside group deal with any more costs helps. People forget that one of the main pieces of SB 54 was struck down by the Court and has been repealed. Others are still in the process.
Do you support Our Schools Now?
No. A 17.5% income tax increase is not the answer, especially when there is no limit to what is spent on Higher Education which can be spent by the same Education Fund. If the Legislature doesn't fund Higher Education to the level the Regents want, (and put some more back for K-12 Public Education), the Regents simply raise tuition and blame the legislature. That must change. We also do not spend all the $4.84 Billion in the best way, with much of it not getting to the classroom.
If you have held this (or another) party office in the past, how was your meeting attendance and did you help with the party work?
I have been a member of the SCC since 2011 and have had perfect attendance since 2010. I also have one of the best attendance records for the Utah Legislature in the years I served.