Keeping House

Many people attended the Town Meetings that I held in Heber City and Roosevelt this past week. I thank all of you who came and shared with me your opinions and concerns.

Nearly 300 people have completed and mailed in the surveys that State Senator Kevin Van Tassell and I inserted in the Uintah Basin Standard and Wasatch Wave three weeks ago. I am very grateful for this high level of response because it really helps me gauge the state of public opinion in my legislative district on several important topics.

I thought that you might like to know the results of the surveys that have been returned to date. The questions and answers follow. Some percentages total more than 100 due to multiple responses.

1. In light of declining tax revenues, what are your greatest priorities for using state funds?

• 1: Public education;
• 2: Health care;
• 3: Economic development;
• 4: Higher education;
• 5: Public safety;
• 6: Illegal immigration;
• 7: Transportation;
• 8: Environmental quality;
• 9: Save in rainy day fund;
• 10: Tourism.

2. What should the state do about highway projects that have lost funding due to the state budget shortfalls?

• Use rainy day fund: 47%;
• Do nothing until economy improves: 46%;
• Borrow money through bonding: 32%;
• Transfer from other state programs: 24%;
• Increase taxes and fees: 17%.

3. Which state economic stimulus measures would you support?

• Cut taxes: 51%;
• Spend money to attract new businesses: 42%;
• Public/private partnerships: 27%;
• Federal/state programs for home buyers: 25%;
• Would not support any stimulus: 18%;
• Borrow money for road projects: 16%.

4. Do you support or oppose legislation loosening Utah’s liquor laws?

• Support: 53%;
• Oppose: 35%;
• Undecided: 12%.

5. Which reforms do you most support for improving legislative ethics?

• 1: Gift ban;
• 2: Campaign contribution limits;
• 3: Ban personal use of campaign funds;
• 4: Faster disclosure of contributions;
• 5: Revolving door limits for ex-legislators.

6. Do you support or oppose more stringent laws to combat illegal immigration?

• Support: 77%;
• Oppose: 12%;
• Undecided: 11%.

7. Do you support or oppose legislation granting various privileges to same-sex couples?

• Support: 32%;
• Oppose: 53%;
• Undecided: 15%.

8. Are you most in favor of employer-purchased or individually-purchased health insurance?

• Employer-purchased: 40%;
• Individually-purchased: 19%;
• Neutral: 41%.

9. Are you most in favor of mandated health insurance coverage or optional coverage?

• Optional: 46%;
• Mandated: 31%;
• Neutral: 23%.

10. What should be the highest priorities for Utah energy policy?

• 1: Expand natural gas and oil production;
• 2: Increase renewable sources such as wind, geothermal, solar, etc.;
• 3: Develop oil shale and tar sands;
• 4: Provide natural gas for vehicles together with refueling stations;
• 5: Implement conservation measures.

If you would still like to complete the survey but do not have a copy, please email me at kraigpowell [at] utah.gov or call 435-654-1550 and I will send you one.

The legislative session is now exactly half over and many of the most significant bills are still awaiting action. I urge my constituents in Duchesne, Uintah and Wasatch counties to continue to contact me with your valuable feedback.