Announcements:
  • Pre session open house breakfast January 9th at 9AM at the Orem Friendship Center at 93 N 400 W.
  • Legislators available every Saturday morning during the session at Eggs and Issues 7:30 AM at IHC’s Northwest Plaza 450 W 1230 N in Provo.

Dear Neighbor,

It is the best of times and it is the worst of times. Utah has been rated by Forbes Magazine as #1 in "America's Best States to Live" and #2 in "Best State for Business." The Kauffman 2008 State New Economy Index in rating "Most Dynamic Economy" rated Utah #1. And the Pew Center reported in Governing Magazine that "Best Managed State in the Nation" is Utah because of how well the Utah Legislature manages budgets, infrastructure and information. But along with the rest of the nation, we’ve had a hard economic downturn and we are going into the next legislative session with a large budgetary shortfall. As we begin this session, we would like to hear from you. We look forward to receiving your responses to the survey. And, as always, feel free to send us an email.

Sincerely,

Keith Grover KeithGrover@utah.gov

Information about you:

Name:
Email Address:
Street Address:
Zip Code:

1. Would you like to receive email updates? Yes No

2. The following graph shows how last year’s state budget was spent.


Due to the economy the legislature begins this session over $600,000,000 in debt. The governor wants no new taxes.
Do you agree with the governor? Yes No
If you agree with the governor which part of the budget do you recommend cutting?
If you do NOT agree with the governor which taxes would you suggest be increased?

3. The state population has increased 27% in the last decade. The General Fund (state budget) has increased 19%. The funding for education has increased 179%.

Should we further increase education funding? Yes No
If yes, how much? .

4. Due to the economic downturn, the Utah Retirement System is under serious financial distress and lost $6.5 billion (over 30%) in 2008. Please mark the types of reform you would support.

Eliminate double dipping by state employees
Increase the minimum retirement age for state employees
Require state employees to contribute more to cover the current loss
Reduce pension benefits for new employees
Put all new state employees on a straight 401K program
Do nothing and have the State pay $400 million a year for 25 years to cover the gap
Other

5. Due to wise fiscal management the anticipated rebuild of I-15 from American Fork to Provo was recently expanded to extend from Lehi to Spanish Fork. What other transportation issues would you like to be considered by the legislature?

6. In a current study, UDOT has found that increasing the speed limit in some area of I-15 to 80 miles per hour has actually decreased the speed at which many people are driving. Utah should (mark all that apply):

Increase the speed limit along more segments of I-15.
Study the issue further, to learn more about the safety benefits.
Reduce the speed limit in the study areas back to 75 miles per hour.
Act according to the recommendations made by professional engineers at UDOT.
Undecided.

7. A company named Utah Crossing, Inc is currently seeking permission to construct a private toll road across Utah Lake in order to ease traffic concerns between I-15 and Saratoga Springs. Utah should (mark all that apply):

Never allow private companies to build toll roads.
Build a toll road at tax-payer expense, then repay the taxpayers through the tolls.
Expand public transportation options between I-15 and Saratoga Springs, without any tolls or private roads.
Do nothing. This issue does not need to be addressed at this time.
Undecided

8. Utah is struggling to fund the New Century Scholarship which provides baccalaureate scholarships to students who complete their Associates degree while attending High School. Utah should (mark all that apply):

Cut this program completely. Utah can not afford to continually fund this Scholarship.
Fund the Scholarship, but reduce the amount provided to each recipient.
Fund the Scholarship, but reduce the number of students who may receive it.
Fund the Scholarship, but require students to use the funds at state colleges.
Fund the Scholarship, but allow students to use the funds at private colleges.
Undecided.

9. In July of this year, a law went into effect that significantly increased enforcement against illegal immigration in Utah. The many provisions of this law include requiring employers to use E-Verify, a section that prevents illegal immigrants from receiving state-funded scholarships and a provision allowing local police officers to become deputized federal immigration officials. Utah should (mark all that apply):

Enforce the law.
Repeal this law.
Stop worrying about this issue. We need to focus on other issues.
Search for more ways in which to combat illegal immigration.
Undecided.

10. In 2009, the Utah Legislature took pre-emptive action against a federal mandates and passed legislation guaranteeing employees the right to a secret ballot. In 2010 the legislature will address several other state rights issues. Would you support or oppose legislation:

a. To reclaim land currently locked up by the federal government (which was intended to be state land) developed and used to fund education?
Support
Oppose
Undecided

b. That will prohibit state and local health departments from implementing any new, unfunded federal healthcare mandates?
Support
Oppose
Undecided

c. That would allow Utah to take steps to opt out of provisions that would raise taxes and harm businesses if a “Cap and Trade” agreement passes congress.
Support
Oppose
Undecided

d. That would allow a firearm manufactured, sold and used in Utah to be regulated by Utah law and not federal law?
Support
Oppose
Undecided

11. In 2004, the legislature passed and the citizens ratified a constitutional amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman. Legislation may be introduced in 2010 that would allow local governments to adopt anti-discrimination measures for homosexuals with regards to housing and employment. Would you support or oppose these measures?

Support
Oppose
Undecided

12. After the 2010 census, the legislature will be required to redistrict boundaries by population. Congressional, State Senate, State House of Representatives and School Board Districts will be affected. There is a cost associated with this process. As a taxpayer would you prefer to see redistricting done by recommendations by an unelected redistricting commission (most expensive), regional public meetings (fairly expensive), or by legislators who communicate with their local constituents (least expensive)?

Public meetings
Independent redistricting committee
Legislators
Pay to do all of the above

13. There is a citizens initiative that requires signatures to be on the ballot that would change ethics laws in Utah. Please check all that apply:

I prefer having laws made through the legislative process w/public hearings rather than by initiative.
I am aware that the initiative creates an Ethics Commission that has no accountability to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branch - and that its decisions cannot be appealed.
I am aware that the Ethics Commission would consist of members who have life time appointments.
I have/would sign the 21 page Citizens Ethics Initiative without reading it.
I would prefer laws that create an increased transparency in lobbyist activities.
I think campaign contributions should be capped notwithstanding that such a cap could prevent citizens in lower income brackets from running for office.
I am interested in having the Legislature address this issue and would be willing to testify in committee or contact my legislators during the session with my opinion.

Other thoughts or comments you would like to share with me: