Candidate Information Form: Utah House – District 5

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Name: R. Curt Webb

Registered Party: Republican

District: 5

Address: 500 Hillsborough Dr. Providence, Utah  84332

Phone: 435-757-3322

Email: curtwebb@utah.gov

Website: N/A 

Candidate Background Information

Occupation: Small Business Owner (Cache Title Co.)

Education: USU BA Business Management (Real Estate)

Prior Experience: State Legislature 2003-4 amd 2007 to present. Utah State Title and Escrow Commission 2004-2007, Utah State Appraiser Board 2002-2003, Utah State Real Estate Commission 1993-1998

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 ?
   
   The power to make legislative and funding decisions is increasingly concentrated in a powerful few. The trend must be turned around so that it is the public's voice that is heard.
   2. It is also common for a  legislator to be "agenda driven" and thus too narrow in focus to represent a balanced and objective view. I believe this question #1 reflects an expectation of an agenda and thereby perpetuates the problem.
   
   
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
   
   The balancing of state funding for competing legitimate demands will always be a challenge. Education however must take center stage. I do not support a tax increase and am very concerned that available revenues this year may cause us to re-think what we had hoped to accomplish.
   
   - Energy resource development and clean air
   
   It is dangerous to continue to enrich unfriendly nations at our expense. We need energy independence. Alternative enery sources are essential to any such independence, however fossil fuels will only be replaced or supplimented gradually. In the meantime let's move to drill and consume our own product. Utah is blessed with an abundance of resources and has much to gain. Responsible environmental policy must consider economic benefits and consequences.
   
   - Water development and conservation
   
   Water is obviously Utah's most precious natural resource. Public awareness has been helpful in conservation efforts I find it preferable to mandated restrictions. I am in favor of water developement projects that put this resource to use. For much of our state, the Great Salt Lake is the final resting place for unused water.
   
   - Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
   
   Email has been a remarkable tool. During the session I posted weekly updates and hope to expand to a monthly newsletter.I invite dialog and pay special attention to correspondence from those who live in my district.
   
   
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 million, how would you allocate the money? (Response should include $______________ for ________________________________.
   
   If you define a revenue surplus as an amount exceeding budgeted and anticipated expenses, then a true surplus should be allocated as follows:
   1. Debt reduction or
   2. Rainy day reserves or
   3. Back to the taxpayers or
   4. A resonable combination of the above options.