Candidate Information Form: Utah US Congressional – District 2

Name: Jim Matheson

Registered Party: Democrat

District: 2

Address:

Phone: (801) 359-5474

Email: jim@mathesonforcongress.com

Website: www.mathesonforcongress.com

Candidate Background Information

Occupation: Member of Congress

Education: BA, Government, Harvard University; MBA, UCLA

Prior Experience: energy businessman

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 congressional representative for the people of Utah ?
   
   We need to pursue policies that will stabilize housing prices to address the current crisis in the credit markets. I voted no on the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of private banks. I saw no convincing evidence that it would work.  We need to halt our dependence on foreign oil through a comprehensive energy portfolio approach.
   
   
2. The national debt can be reduced by reducing spending or increasing taxes. What actions would you support to reduce the debt?
   
   The national debt has ballooned from $5.6 trillion at the end of fiscal 2000 to $10 trillion today. Structurally, budget enforcement rules known as Pay-as-you-go (PAYGO)--put in place at the insistence of the Blue Dog Coalition-- must be followed. I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and the line-item veto for the President.
   
   
3. How would you address the following issues?
   - Quality health care for all Americans
   
   I support renewing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance program, enabling all 10 million eligible children in the country to have health insurance. Going forward, we must deal with access, cost and quality. We must be more efficient and productive, utilize technology to limit medical mistakes and find options to provide health insurance to the 47 million who are without it.
   
   - Energy resource development and clean air
   
   Our dependence on foreign oil is an economic and national security threat. Gas prices can be moderated if we produce more oil domestically, expand refinery capacity, invest more in research and development of alternative fuels and if we conserve more. I support federal funding for transportation options, such as investment in transit, to unclog our freeways and address air quality.
   
   - Water development and conservation
   
   I passed legislation in the House (HR 3957) to encourage innovation in water efficiency and conservation. It creates a research and development program on water-use efficiency within the EPA's Office of Research and Development. It specifies research of technologies and processes dealing with the collection, storage, treatment and reuse of rainwater, storm water and gray water (the waste water from sinks and baths). It also calls for at least four advanced model projects - both residential and commercial-to be constructed and accessible to the public.
   
   - Short term and long term goals in Irag and the Middle East
   
   Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have performed magnificently and we are all proud of their service. We will see the draw down of troop levels by the end of the year, according to the Pentagon.  However, military leaders have advised that more troops are needed in Afghanistan.  Success in Iraq does not just depend on the role of the military.  I have long stated the need for a political, diplomatic and economic plan for success in that country. I oppose setting an arbitrary deadline for withdrawal but I do support having Congress clearly delineate the conditions that, if met would permit a U.S. withdrawal.  Other countries in the region need to be involved as well.
   
   - Immigration
   
   Immigration reform relies upon better enforcement and a fairer immigration system.  I have voted for strengthening our borders, hiring more border agents, constructing border fencing and enhancing technology to track visa entry. I support holding employers accountable for verifying the legal status of their employees.  Providing a viable guest worker program would be a practical first step.  I oppose amnesty.