One of my first bills that I will open in the 2009 Legislature is one that some members of my House Leadership have discouraged me from running,- CAMPAIGN REFORM AND LEGISLATIVE GIFTS REFORM.  I am committed to carrying legislation that will address how campaign funds are used and how they are made available to the public.  I also will include more transparency of Legislative gifts and moving the responsibility to disclosing them to the Legislators.  I believe the Legislators should be responsible to report the gifts and not the Lobbyist because the Legislators were the ones given the public trust when they were voted into office, not the Lobbyist.

I will also open two bills directed at lowering income taxes.  One will address the issue of paying State Income tax on Social Security Income and the other to address the State Income tax on retired military income.  Both of these taxes, I believe represent double taxation on income and impact primarily the middle income wage earners in Utah.  These taxes also primarily impact the seniors in our community.

I am running for re-election because their is extremely important work I have started that needs to be finished. 

First, the schoold district split will require important follow-up to ensure that the west side can be treated fairly and equally with the east side.  Our children and grandchildrens’ educational future is at stake.  The transition teams for both sides need Legislators with the knowledge, experience and understanding of the issue to be there to finsh the school district split.  I have been in the middle of this issue for the last three session and have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and what needs to be watched for.  With your support we will complete the school district split in a fair and equitable way.

Second, the healthcare issue has finally taken a step forward after several years of negotiation and work.  We are closer to finding a way to help make health insurance available and affordable to Utahn’s that need it the most, -the uninsured and underinsured.  I am the Legislator that has worked on this for the past 5 years.  I need your support to continue to move this forward.

Thirdly, the Mountain View Corridor is moving forward, along with light rail after years of preparation and study.  We need Legislators that understand where the funding for this transportation project can be found and how to move it forward.  I have that understanding and experience.  Billions of dollars will be needed for our future transportation needs and I am committed to seeing that we manage every tax dollar we receive in the most efficient and effective way as we prepare for the roads of the future.