Utah

Utah Republicans
by Hannah Su

           Utah is located in the Northwest region of the United States. It is 82,168 sq. miles, most of which is very mountainous and owned by the federal government. The population of Utah is 1,722,850 (yr. 1990). Eighty-five percent of the population of Utah reside in three major urban areas: Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden. The largest of the three, Salt Lake City, was founded in 1841 by Mormon pioneer Brigham Young. The Mormons, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, constitutes for over 2/3 of the population. The Mormons own two newspapers, a major TV station, a chain of the largest department store, several banks, real estate and insurance companies. The large Mormon community has great influence in its state’s political affairs.
           Utah is largely a conservative Republican state. The Governor is a Mormon Republican Michael O' Leavitt and has been in office since 1993. Utah has two Senators, three Representatives and five electoral votes. Utah has 75 members in the State House of Representatives, 54 of which are Republicans. Of the 30 members in Senate 18 are Republicans.
The Republican Party of Utah firmly believes in the idea that government is based upon a moral and spiritual foundation. In keeping with the Republican tradition, the Republican party of Utah also believes in the citizen's rights to free enterprise, private initiative and volunteerism. The party believes that a strong economy based on a positive work ethic, a well-trained, well educated work force, business-friendly environment and safe work place will help Utah compete in a world market place. The party also feels that government regulation can be a major impediment to productivity and competition. Based on Adam Smith's view of economics, the party feels that there should be less government regulation and an free open economy. Regulatory power now exercised by the federal government should be eliminated or returned to the state or local governments. Republicans believe that the government should not perform tasks that the people can perform simply because the government is incapable of performing these duties as well as the private citizen. The party does not advocate the abolition of government but rather, much like the original Democratic Republican Party, contends that government should be decentralized and the federal government must not get in the way of state and local officials. The forerunner for today's Democratic Party, the Democratic Republican Party was first led by Thomas Jefferson in the 18th century which supported states' rights first and limited national power. Republicans feel that local governments are much more capable of promoting the best interests of their constituents than a far-removed government.
           The party acknowledges the government's need for taxes to be able to perform and administer the services essential to the public's needs. Yet the party also feels that government should not have total control over taxation. It gives government added powers. The powers of government to tax should be limited. The best way to control government is to strictly control the amount of taxes imposed on the people declaring the need to have a fiscal austerity and to limit both the amount of money citizens pay to government through taxes and the amount of money that government will spend. Its calls for further simplification of tax systems and broad- based rate reduction.
           The Republican party of Utah supports military force in matters of national security and public protection. It supports military tactics to defend America's sovereignty or to protect the freedom and safety of the people. Yet the party does oppose putting US troops under any foreign command.
           The party believes that the individual has constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. The party believes that the individual may own firearm for protection of self, family, property, or state. Yet it should also be noted the party believes in capital punishment when appropriate. The party also calls for a reform of the legal system to accomplish a swift and balanced administration of justice. A call for reform to enforce laws aggressively and prosecute criminals quickly. During Governor Michael O'Leavitt's administration, tough laws have been enacted to punish offenders and take guns out of the hands of minors. Other measures include the Serious Youth Offender Act, which ensures kids who commit adult crimes serve adult time and the Habitual Violent Offender act, which gets tough on chronic criminals.
           The party has very strong opinions about the issue of abortion. The party believes in the right to life for both the born and unborn. The party strongly opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is threatened. The party believes that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life. The state of Utah is one of the very few states with the strictest laws against abortion. The party also opposes euthanasia, assisted suicide and the public funding of any of these practices. In line with the belief that life is precious, the Utah Republican party feels very strongly about caring for the elderly. The party seeks to preserve the services of medicine and social security so that all senior citizens may have the peace of mind that they will be well taken care of. The party believes that the Utah Healthprint program issued by the Utah Health Care Policy Option Commission is fulfilling its goal in giving more senior citizens access to affordable health insurance. The Commission was set up by the Governor to find a way to make health care more accessible and affordable to every Utah resident. The outcome of the Commission was Utah Healthprint. Utah Healthprint is a market-oriented health care plan. It fosters market place competition and individual recipient financial responsibility.
           The Republican Party of Utah recognizes that the strength and stability of a traditional family is the foundation for a well working society. It sees parents responsible for being the primary provider. The party considers the responsibility for meeting basic human needs rests on the individual, family, and voluntary charity organizations. Yet, it also knows that there are special social need which can only be met state human service programs. Governor Michael O' Leavitt seeks reform for child welfare services. The Governor feels that there should be an increase in hiring more case workers who should receive better training. The Governor also feels that foster parents should go through careful screening and only then should be placed with those qualified parents. On the issue of welfare, the party advocates recipients to work toward self-sufficiency. The party also feels that the state and local elected officials should have control over those programs. The Governor's office has worked hard to simplify the complicated welfare and job training system, and Utah is leading the nation in reforms. The new Department of Work force Services has shifted from a one-size fits all approach, to a custom-fit individualized employment plan for every client. Twenty-five programs from five different state departments are being organized into one department. Job development, job training, and welfare will are merge into one efficient system, so people can get training and jobs without being shuffled all over state government.
           The party feels that only through free and equal education can it ensure a decrease in crime and those who need government assistance. The party believes that all children should have free access to quality public education. It believes that a better education system can be set up without raising taxes. That funding can be arranged within the budget by reallocation of moneys and new programs. New programs which include longer school years, associate degrees obtained while in high school to lower costs in college, smaller classes, utilization of modern technological facilities and support nets to help at risk students. Parents have the primary right and responsibility to choose public, private or home education yet the party supports the start of charter schools. The party supports incentives to promote competitive excellence and encourage cooperative initiatives to help all Utah residents become literate in English.
           The sole source of equal opportunity for all is equality before the law. Therefore, the party opposes discrimination based on sex, race, age, creed or national origin and seeks to vigorously enforce anti- discrimination statutes. Because the party believes rights inhere in individuals, not in groups, it feels that equal rights without quotas or other form of preferential treatment should be adopted. The party is also committed to equal opportunity for women and the disabled.
           The party appreciates the quality of the environment and must protect it through balances management. The party favors reasonable laws and volunteer efforts to improve water and air quality. It continues to seek responsible solutions to controversies surrounding uses of Utah's natural resources. The party seeks to preserve the environment while serving the best interest of the citizens of Utah.
           The Republican Party feels that is a party by the people for the people. The party seeks to provide the best quality of life for all the citizens of Utah and strives to support issues which will serve the state's interest first.