Salt Lake Tribune Voter Guide Questions and Response
In May, Bryan Schott from the Salt Lake Tribune sent me an email with questions for candidates for the Utah State House. I responded to the questions, and my answers were published in the Tribune. Here are the questions and responses. Some of the answers here will be longer than my responses in the Tribune.
Utah’s largest electricity provider has cancelled plans to replace its coal-fired power plants with nuclear power and has walked back comments about investing in clean energy.
Should Utah, while it actively supports housing and building development, also be looking for more sustainable and less fossil fuel dependent energy sources?
My response: In addition to encouraging innovation in sustainable energy, it’s worth noting that while I support the continued utilization of fossil fuels, I also recognize the evolving landscape of our economy and the necessity of exploring alternative energy routes. Embracing diverse energy sources ensures adaptability in a changing market and promotes resilience in the face of shifting economic and environmental dynamics. By fostering a multifaceted approach to energy production, Utah can position itself as a leader in both traditional and emerging energy sectors, maximizing opportunities for economic growth while mitigating environmental impact.
Yes or no: Is climate change negatively affecting Utah?
My response: This is more complicated than a simple yes or no response.Many families, individuals, and organizations have experienced devastating effects of flood and drought to their homes and businesses. Climate change is not static. Last year Utah came off the longest running drought with one of the wettest years in recorded state history. Utah is becoming increasingly resilient as a state. We are becoming better at evaluating and preparing for extreme variations in weather. So my answer is that sometimes the extreme variations in weather impact us negatively, sometimes positively, and usually a combination of both.
Water scarcity continues to be a challenge for the state. Recent legislation has attempted to conserve water and get more to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River.
3. Should Utah do more to subsidize homeowners to conserve water? Should laws require large users to pay more for water?What other steps should state government take to deal with water scarcity?
My response: While I love Rip the Strip and similar initiatives in the state, the water conserved by residents replacing lawn with water wise landscaping does not significantly affect our water supply, so it is probably not the most effective way to conserve water. Water districts should move toward recharging aquifers as a means of water conservation. Provo City stores enough water to serve the city’s needs for 15 years by regularly recharging its aquifers. This is how water has been conserved in arid regions throughout the world for generations.
4. Yes or No: Do you support building the Lake Powell Pipeline?
My response: I believe there are better options than a pipeline. The billions of dollars and decades of paying off bonds required for this pipeline could be better spent in other solutions for supplying water for development. Creating local catchment systems for rainwater and stormwater in order to recharge aquifers would cost a small fraction of the amount of constructing the pipeline and would ensure a reliable water source for development.
Abortion
Triggered after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Utah’s current law bans nearly all abortions- except in instances of sexual crimes, when there is a fatal fetal abnormality, or when the mother’s life is at risk. For now, that law is currently on hold in the courts, and an 18-week ban is active in Utah.
5. More or fewer: Should Utah’s trigger law have more or fewer restrictions?
My response: As a staunch advocate for the sanctity of life, I firmly believe in the inherent value of human life. The complex reality of abortion requires a more nuanced approach than simply imposing more restrictions. Outlawing abortion does not eliminate the demand for it. To truly reduce the number of abortions, we must address the underlying issues that lead women to consider this option in the first place. I am in favor of broadening resources and creating comprehensive support systems for women and their families. By fostering an environment where women feel supported and empowered, we can reduce the perceived need for abortion.
Education funding
6. For or against: Are you for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services?
My response: I will be voting against the amendment because I do not want the public education earmark removed from the state income tax. At the same time, I do not think the earmark influences how much the legislature appropriates to public education in the state. It is not a badge of honor that Utah is consistently among states with the lowest per student funding by its legislature. The state legislature already ties things to education in order to use the income tax and also seems to feel very generous about its per pupil funding (WPU)
Please reach out to me if you have any thoughts or questions about my responses. I would love to know what you think!
