Candidate Background Information
Occupation: Physician/Dermatologist
Education: Ogden High School-graduate; Weber State University-BS;University of Utah-MD; Duke University-Medical Internship and Residency
Prior Experience: Clinical Professor of Dermatology University of Utah Medical School
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Questions
The League of Women Voters has made every effort to present accurately the candidates' responses as they were submitted.
- If elected, what two things do you hope to accomplish as a member of the House of Representatives for the people of
Utah
?
1. If elected the two things I would hope to accomplish in the Utah Legislature for the people of Utah would be:
First: I would strive to put the needs of the people first and above political or special interest considerations. This would include working toward increased openness, balance, and ethics, while working with varied factions to achieve practical solutions to Utah's challenges.
Second: I would strive to be responsive to the needs of my constituency.
This would include continuing to promote and protect Weber State University and Hill Air Force Base. I would watch for opportunities to promote the further development of the business depot Ogden and advancement of our local communities.
- How would you address the following issues? (Please answer each question in 200 words or less.)
- Adequate funding for education, including funding for disadvantaged populations such as non-English-speakers and prison inmates
We do not need to raise taxes to increase spending in education. The income tax money is intended to be dedicated to education. Funding for education would be improved if a larger percentage of that money stayed in education and was not shifted to finance other items that are supposed to be funded through the general fund.
Spending on education including K12 and higher education represents the largest percentage of the budget of the state of Utah . Despite recent budget surpluses and significant increases in education spending Utah continues to be at the bottom of the nation in per pupil education funding.. This is in part a reflection of our high birth rate. However, in judgment of funding effort (education spending per $1000 of personal income) Utah was 5th in the nation in 1995 and we have now dropped to below the national average (27th) even in terms of effort and commitment. We can do better.
. Highways are very important for our economy as well as our way of life. It is important that they be modern and efficient and that needs be anticipated. I believe that in general they should be funded by gasoline taxes and not the general fund. Had this been done over the past two decades much more of the general fund would have been available for education as well as corrections and human services which would also make more funds available for disadvantaged citizens and inmates.
- Energy resource development and clean air
With current higher prices for oil and the development of improved extraction technology, it will likely be possible to take advantage of Utah's energy reserves in oil shale. We also have very large coal reserves and improved techniques allow improved access to these. However, safety must be a top priority and environmental impact must also always be carefully evaluated.
I support the Western Governors and Governor Huntsman in their efforts to bring clean energy to our region. Currently renewable resources provide approximately 923 gig watts of energy generation to our state. This includes power from wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydo production This can and should be increased. Scientific research into ways to assist with clean and renewable energy needs to be supported. We should look to neighboring states for opportunities to follow their successes. The state of Montana has made significant strides in improving the way that state uses and conserves energy and sets priorities for use of clean and renewable energy.
I approve of Rocky Mountain Power's "Blue Sky" program which allows customers to buy "blocks" of wind energy ensuring energy comes from renewable sources especially wind by paying a small fee on his power bill.
- Water development and conservation
Utah is a desert state. Its water resources are ultimately finite. Our state needs to protect its water resources. It is important to anticipate future needs and avoid pitfalls of allowing this precious resource to be claimed and taken by states around us. Our congressional delegation needs to be aware and vigilant and willing to fight to protect this resource for our state and its future.
Dams and reservoirs need to be carefully planned and monitored and repaired and strengthened when necessary. Attention to effects on water table need to be given with any significant new use of water.
Landscaping which demands less water and restrictions of time of day and frequency of use in residential areas is wise. Metering secondary water will allow more careful monitoring of its use and abuse. The state of Utah should lead out in its efforts to conserve water.
- Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
Effective communication between a legislator and his constituency is crucial if he/she expects to truly represent his/her constituency. Several areas are key. First face to face contact is optimal where this is possible. When I served in the Utah State Senate approximately ten years ago I attempted to do this by talking with many constituents on their doorstep. I also attended and held town meetings. Modern technology has allowed improved contact through the internet, web sites, and cell phones. There are times when cottage meetings in the homes of constituents can be especially helpful. Mailings can also be helpful in reporting actions and priorities and in inviting feedback.
I believe that overall communication between the legislature and the people of the districts and the state would be much improved if the press and public were allowed into all of the caucus meetings. This is especially important under the current situation of so much political imbalance in our state. This allows those in the party in power to effectively decide legislation and directions behind closed doors and away from the press and public. One remedy would be to achieve some degree of political balance. Another would be for those in power to commit to always keep their caucus meetings open. A final way would be for a voter initiative to bring the issue before our citizens which would require these key meetings to be open no matter which party is in power. I would support any one of these three options.
Second: I would strive to be responsive to the needs of my constituency.
This would include continuing to promote and protect Weber State University and Hill Air Force Base. I would watch for opportunities to promote the further development of the business depot Ogden and advancement of our local communities.
- If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 million, how would you allocate the money? (Response should include $______________ for ________________________________.
If the state had a revenue surplus of $100 million I would allocate the money:
$500 000 for a non partisan election commission
$10,000,000 to more nearly complete matches to bring available federal funds for programs such as Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This generally would bring in many dollars to our state for each dollar invested.
$5,000,000 to assist with bringing improved veteran's services from the federal government including ensuring the construction of a veteran's nursing home in Ogden
$10,000,000 for programs to help with development of clean and renewable energy and in making our state's buildings more energy efficient.
$35,000,000 for public education to work toward closing the gap in per pupil spending compared to the rest of the nation and toward improving the competitiveness of
our teachers' salaries.
$10,000,000 for Weber State University for the construction of a badly needed second building in the master plan for the Davis campus and for preliminary planning of the tearing down of the aged buildings #3 and #4 on the main campus and building a modern science and engineering building on that campus.
$2,000,000 to assist with schools in disadvantaged areas in dealing with fee waivers.
$2,500,000 to assist the working poor to obtain adequate health insurance, and to help with the task force in determining options for solving the problem of the large uninsured and underinsured population in our state.
$5,000,000 for creation of connecting links with the recently arrived Front Runner including downtown street car, bus rapid transport or whatever would be most effective for connecting important parts of our community with the commuter rail terminus.
$5,000,000 for crime and gang prevention and treatment
$5,000,000 to more completely remove the sales taxes on food and restaurants without negatively impacting revenues of municipalities
$10,000,000 For the rainy day fund
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