Candidate Information Form: Utah House – District 51

Name: Lisa Johnson

Registered Party: Democrat

District: 51

Address: 327 High Berry Ln., Draper, UT  84020

Phone: 801-495-1035

Email: lisa@electlisa.org

Website: www.electlisa.org

Candidate Background Information

Occupation: Executive Director, Utahns for Public Schools

Education: B.A. in English and Russian from BYU; M.A. in linguistics from BYU

Prior Experience: Instructor, Brigham Young University Department of Linguistics and English Language

Questions

The League of Women Voters has made every effort to present accurately the candidates' responses as they were submitted.

1. If elected, what two things do you hope to accomplish as a member of the House of Representatives for the people of Utah ?
   
   My priorities in the Utah State Legislature will include ensuring that every Utah child receives a quality education and increasing lawmakers' accountability to constituents through ethics reform legislation.
   
   
2. 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
   
   Research shows that Utah's recent decline in education funding effort has left our students at a disadvantage compared to students in peer states. That situation must be remedied to prepare Utah children for future success and to provide for our state's continued economic growth.  Investing in smaller classes and early childhood programs for disadvantaged children shows long-term benefits and reduces the need for costly remediation later on.  As we face a teacher shortage, it's also critical that we attract and retain the best teachers through appropriate compensation and support services such as mentoring for new educators.
   
   - Energy resource development and clean air
   
   Rising gas prices have brought energy concerns to the forefront of public policy discussions and have highlighted the need to develop renewable energy sources.  By leading out in the development of renewable energy, we can not only provide energy security for ourselves and future generations, but we can also place Utah at an economic and technological advantage over neighboring states.  Such innovation will also help us deal with the growing problem of poor air quality, which currently puts the health of Utah residents at risk.
   
   - Water development and conservation
   
   Living, as we do, in the second driest state in the nation, we must consider water development and conservation a high priority.  Ensuring that we have enough of this vital resource requires the combined conservation efforts of individuals, businesses, and government.  Public policy should encourage conservation and protect water supplies for future generations of Utahns.
   
   - Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
   
   A representative must be accessible to constituents and responsive to their questions and concerns.  This means responding to constituent letters, calls, and emails, as well as soliciting their input through such methods as surveys and community meetings.
   
   
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 million, how would you allocate the money? (Response should include $______________ for ________________________________.
   
   Surpluses should be managed well to prepare for inevitable economic downturns.
   
   A long-term view during a strong economy can help shore up vital programs, such as education and public safety, against devastating cuts when resources are scarce.