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SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE

"Our district is wonderful and is an amazing place to live and raise a family and we need to keep it that way for us, our kids, and our grandkids. But, it could be better. "

I've always considered myself a problem-solver, not a politician, and I've never been one to label myself strictly by party lines. I registered with the Democratic Party when I decided to run for office, having been an unaffiliated voter up until then. What our community needs right now is balance and a commitment to moderation to counteract extremism and political games.

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Many of us know someone who feels disconnected from politics—it's a common sentiment here in Utah to feel “politically homeless”. But it's important to recognize what’s at stake. The "Utah Way" has its strengths, but we should work to make it even better. Our district has benefited from the steady representation of a moderate Republican, Robert Spendlove, for many years. I’m running because I believe that continuing this tradition of moderate, balanced leadership is crucial, and I am the person to do that.

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The choice is clear: we can either elect another moderate who will represent our community’s best interests or choose someone who may prioritize party lines over our needs. I am committed to serving as a voice for all of us, ensuring that our community’s values and concerns are always at the forefront

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Clean Air

    • Our air quality is one of the most important and impactful issues we face. The negative impacts of our poor air quality are well-documented and serious, affecting our health, environment, and economy. While some positive steps have been taken, we must do more to ensure clean air for everyone.

 

  • Incentives for Businesses and Consumers:

    • Tax Credits for Green Technologies: Provide tax credits for businesses and homeowners who invest in renewable energy sources, energy-efficient appliances, and electric vehicles.

    • Subsidies for Clean Energy: Offer subsidies to companies that switch to clean energy production and reduce their carbon footprint.

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  • Holding Polluters Accountable:

    • Stricter Emissions Standards: Implement and enforce stricter emissions standards for industrial polluters.

    • Fines and Penalties: Increase fines and penalties for businesses that exceed pollution limits.

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  • Transitioning to Electric or Hybrid Buses:

    • Public Transit Upgrades: Invest in transitioning the public bus fleet to electric or hybrid models to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

    • Funding for Infrastructure: Secure funding for the necessary charging infrastructure to support an electric bus fleet.

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  • The Gondola

    • Why I oppose the Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola:

      • Cost to Taxpayers: The proposed gondola project would cost over a billion taxpayer dollars, an expense that our community cannot afford.

      • Government Picking Winners and Losers: This project represents an inappropriate use of government resources, favoring specific businesses over broader community needs.

      • Traffic Issues: The gondola does not effectively address the underlying traffic problems and may even exacerbate them by encouraging more vehicle use to reach gondola stations.

      • Environmental Impact: The construction and operation of the gondola could harm our natural landscapes and wildlife habitats. 

      • Impact on Business Owners: We must also preserve our canyons and environment to ensure our region is attractive to new businesses. Our skiing, hiking, biking, and natural wonders are a large part of why industries relocate to our great state – let’s keep it that way.

    • Alternative Solutions:

      • Improved Public Transit: Enhance existing public transit options and infrastructure to make them more efficient and appealing.

      • Carpool Incentives: Promote carpooling with incentives like reduced toll fees and designated carpool lanes.

      • Smart Traffic Management: Implement smart traffic management systems to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

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  • Great Salt Lake

    • The increased water levels and snowpack in the last two years have been a great blessing. However, our increased snowfall and snowpack should be no excuse for inaction. The future of our state cannot rely on hoping for the best–we must do our part.

      • Water Conservation Measures: Implement comprehensive water conservation measures, including public education campaigns and incentives for reducing water usage.

      • Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Promote sustainable agriculture practices that reduce water consumption and protect water quality.

      • Water Recycling: Invest in technologies like water recycling to increase our water supply without relying solely on natural precipitation.

      • Wetland Restoration: Support projects aimed at restoring wetlands and natural habitats around the Great Salt Lake to improve water retention and ecosystem health.

      • Long-Term Planning: Advocate for state legislation that prioritizes long-term water management planning and sustainable use of water resources.

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT 

  • Access and Affordability

    • Ensuring access to affordable housing is essential for the well-being of our community. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

    • Increasing Housing Supply:

      • Zoning Reforms: Support zoning reforms that allow for higher-density housing and mixed-use developments.

      • Incentives for Developers: Provide tax incentives and grants for developers to build affordable housing units.

    • More Support for First-Time Home Buyers: Fund low-interest loans and down payment assistance.

    • Support for Fixed-Income Individuals and Property Taxes: Develop programs to assist those on fixed incomes with property taxes, ensuring they can remain in their homes.​​

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  • Development and Growth

    • ​Balancing development and growth with the needs of our community is crucial for sustainable progress.

    • Smart Growth Strategies:

      • Sustainable Development: Promote sustainable development practices that minimize environmental impact and support long-term community health.

      • Infrastructure Investment: Ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with housing growth, including roads, public transit, schools, and healthcare facilities.

      • Community Input: Foster community involvement in development decisions to ensure that growth reflects the needs and values of local residents.

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS

  • Mental health access and support

    • De-Stigmitization: Promote public awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage people to seek help.

    • Additionally resources: Increase funding for mental health services, ensuring access to care for all who need it.

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  • Reproductive Rights

    • Abortion access

      • ​As an active member of the LDS church and a father, I believe in the sanctity of all lives and am personally against elective abortion. However, I also believe in agency and individual liberty. The government should not be involved in personal medical decisions. These decisions need to be left to patients, families, and doctors.

      • With my background in healthcare and law, I’ve seen the real-world impacts of restrictive laws on patients and healthcare providers. Doctors, nurses, and hospitals should not have to justify necessary care to politicians and law enforcement, risking their licenses and legal liability. Women experiencing miscarriages should not be turned away at emergency rooms or forced to wait until their conditions become life-threatening.

      • Restrictive laws written by those who don’t understand the impact on patients, babies, and doctors will never result in a better quality of life for Utah families. In the legislature, I will advocate for less government interference in your personal life. In the legislature, I will advocate for less government interference in personal medical decisions and ensure that healthcare providers can offer necessary care without fear of retribution.

         

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)

    • In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments have faced government encroachment in several states. I worry that similar restrictions could be proposed in Utah, and if they are, I will strongly oppose them.

    • For me, this issue is personal. My wife, Tillia, and I went through the difficult IVF process to expand our family. After experiencing the heartbreak of losing two pregnancies, we decided to adopt. During the adoption process, we finally had a successful IVF pregnancy and had our daughter Margot. And through an open adoption, we got our daughter Izzy. 

    • I will fight to protect the right to fertility treatments and ensure that all families can create the family they want without government interference.​​

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON EDUCATION 

  • Increasing support and funding for our neighborhood public schools

    • ​Advocate for increased funding to ensure our schools have the resources they need to provide a quality education.

  • Supporting Teachers

    • ​Increase pay and support staff retention by treating teachers as the professionals they are.

  • Accessible and Affordable Childcare

    • ​Supporting and expanding universal pre-k and kindergarten programs to ensure affordable childcare options for working families and give every child a strong start in their education, continuing Rep. Spendlove’s legacy. 

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

  • Capitalism

    • Leverage my personal experience starting businesses to create an environment that supports entrepreneurial endeavors.

  • ​Small Business Support

    • ​Provide resources and incentives for small businesses to thrive.

  • ​Workforce Development

    • ​Invest in workforce training programs to prepare our community for the jobs of the future.

  • Large Business Attraction

    • ​Attract large businesses to our area by showcasing our skilled workforce and vibrant community.

  • ​Tech and Innovation

    • Promote the tech industry and innovation as key drivers of economic growth.

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON CIVIL RIGHTS 

  • Voting rights

    • Protecting access to voting for all citizens, including protecting access to vote-by-mail

    LGBTQ protections

    • Ensure that LGBTQ individuals have equal rights and protections under the law

SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

  • Sexual assault 

    • Advocate for a survivor-centered approach to handling sexual assault cases that does not compromise public safety.

 

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