Blog

Thank you, Utah 2^nd District voters. You have again given me the privilege of representing you in Congress.  I am proud and grateful.

Once again, we have the opportunity to take Utah's agenda and Utah's voice to Washington. These are challenging times for our economy and our security.  We have our work cut out for us. But we have already made a great deal of progress - I am optimistic about the future.

Saturday Nov. 1^st - It's the final push to get supporters to the polls.  Dozens of excited volunteers rally, ready to go door-to-door, carrying information on where to vote.

I was so happy to be joined by Mayor Peter Corroon who has represented the people of Salt Lake County with integrity and with dignity.  The Mayor of Alta, several Utah legislators and some legislative candidates were part of the team.

Utahns have said loud and clear they don't want to be the dumping ground, or the transit route or the "downwind" graveyard for nuclear waste, spent nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons testing.  Enough is enough.

 I was dumbfounded when, during last night's Conversation with the Candidates on KSL 5 hosted by Bruce Lindsay, my opponent said the following about bringing foreign nuclear waste to Utah:

It's the political homestretch.  Everywhere I go, people are engaged this year. They are paying attention and they are taking their vote seriously.

Locally, early voting is a huge success.  Record numbers of Utahns have already gone to the polls.

The backdrop is that we face some challenging times.  Our economy is struggling.  We have complicated issues such as energy policy, health care and a widening federal debt.

 If you have cast your vote already, thank you.

It's been a week of challenging economic news.  People are losing jobs, homes and retirement savings. There's no question our economy is facing difficult times. It will take time to recover.

Are there any bright spots?  I think so and let me tell you why. I spent time with three distinctly different Salt Lake County entities this week.

Friday, Oct. 17 is going to be a great day in St. George. I'll be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $190 million airport. What has been 12 years in the making has now moved from dream, to drawing board to reality.

City leaders have known for years that the existing airport was inadequate. The mesa-top property precluded any on-site expansion to serve the fast-growing community. A new location that met federal design standards and a larger jet fleet had to be developed.

I listened to President Bush try to rally the public Wednesday night on the financial crisis that threatens our economy.  The questions that I have been asking since the Treasury Secretary came to Congress with a proposed bailout plan persist.  Where in the plan is the assurance that taxpayers' $700 billion will be protected?  Will they eventually recoup the money and-best case scenario-make a profit?

What some call the number one issue in the drive towards eventual independence from foreign oil- saw progress this week in Congress. We need to tap more domestic supplies of oil and natural gas.  I added a provision to the House's version of an energy bill that lifts the moratorium on commercial leasing of oil shale in Utah, contingent upon existing environmental reviews.

Fall brings back-to-school, football and a heightened attention to political campaigns. There's no question people are energized and engaged this year.

Welcome to my new and improved campaign website.  I hope you'll check in here frequently for updates on the issues I'm talking about during this campaign season.  From the economy, to energy prices, to health care, there's no shortage of important topics to be discussed.  As you log on to this site, please send me feedback about what you like and what could be improved.  I'm always interested in hearing from Utahns and there is no substitute for that personal contact.