This year’s session of the Utah State Legislature is in full swing and nearing the halfway mark.  Thus far, the most significant issues have been the budget, the retirement system, health care reform, and states rights among other things.

Before the session, cards were sent out by Rep. Evan Vickers requesting that people do an on-line survey. The purpose of the surveys was to get a feel for how constituents felt regarding some of the important issues.

Vickers represents District 72, which covers western Iron County, and more than 2,200 survey cards were sent out.

More than 300 responses were received, and the results were compiled.

“We thought it most appropriate to let people know the results of their efforts. This input is taken into serious consideration, and helps greatly with decisions related to the legislative session,” Vickers said.

The survey results are listed below and are also available at www.evanvickers.blogspot.com. Those who have not completed the survey and would like to can visit www.utgop.org/vickers to do so.

Vickers said he would like to thank all who responded to the surveys. He greatly appreciates the opinions and takes the input into serious consideration as he makes decisions to try to improve the state, he added.

All percentages reported represent the number of respondents who selected a response out of the total number of respondents as a whole. Because some questions required the respondent to “mark all that apply,” the percentages do not always add up to 100 percent.

1.) It is estimated that the state budget will be short approximately $875 million in 2010. How would you recommend filling that gap? Please mark all that apply.

• 62.9% - Cut Spending

• 42.2% - Use Rainy Day Funds

• 26.6% - Combination of

Cuts, Increased Taxes/Fees

• 3.1% - Increase Taxes/Fees

2.) If spending was cut, where would you like to see those cuts implemented? Mark all that apply.

• 44.7% - Cuts Equally Across All Departments

• 40.0% - No Cuts to Public

or Higher Education

3.) While I do not have intentions to raise any taxes during these tough economic times, I still want to consider your opinion. If taxes and/or fees were increased, where would you like to see those increases implemented? Mark all that apply.

• 49.2% - Increase Tobacco Tax

• 40.0% - Do NOT Raise Taxes

• 31.0% - Restore Sales Tax on Food

• 28.0% - Increase User Fees

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

• 67.4% - Eliminate Double Dipping

• 43.6% - All Employees on Straight 401k

• 39.3% - Increase Minimum Retirement Age

• 26.5% - Reduce Pension Benefits

• 24.2% - More Employee Contributions

• 5.3% - Do Nothing, Have State Cover the Gap

5.) In 2009, the Utah Legislature took preemptive action against 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?

• 82.2% - Support

• 5.3% - Oppose

• 12.5% - Undecided

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

• 70.8% - Support

• 6.1% - Oppose

• 23.1% - 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?

• 82.2% - Support

• 2.7% - Oppose

• 20.1% - Undecided

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

• 73.5% - Support

• 6.4% - Oppose

• 20.1% - Undecided

6.) The legislature will consider ethics legislation in 2010 in addition to measures passed in 2009 (banned gifts over $50 and required disclosure on gifts over $10; prevented legislators from becoming lobbyists within one year of resigning from the legislature; mandated reporting campaign contributions within 30 days, etc.). Would you support or oppose the following additional measures?

a. Create an independent ethics panel to address legislative ethics complaints.

• 62.1% - Support

• 12.9% - Oppose

• 25.0% - Undecided

b. Campaign contribution limits.

• 73.5% - Support

• 13.3% - Oppose

• 13.2% - Undecided

c. Disclosure on gifts of any value.

• 72.3% - Support

• 12.9% - Oppose

• 14.8% - Undecided

7.) 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 housing and employment. Would you support or oppose these measures?

• 39.8% - Support

• 37.1% - Oppose

• 23.1% - Undecided

8.) The legislature began healthcare reform in 2008 and in 2009 created a consumer-oriented, internet-based information exchange to provide one-stop, one-shop healthcare comparison pricing. Would you support or oppose efforts to continue to work toward a consumer-oriented healthcare system in Utah?

• 71.5% - Support

• 5.9% - Oppose

• 22.6% - Undecided

9.) Legislation may be addressed that would change affirmative action policies in Utah. Generally speaking, do you support or oppose affirmative action policies that give preferential treatment to individuals based on their race or gender?

• 87.9% - Oppose

• 12.1% - Undecided

• 0.0% - Support

10.) In order to crackdown on illegal abortions, legislation may be introduced that would define abortion as a medical procedure and would remove immunity for women who seek illegal abortions. Would you support or oppose this measure?

• 50.8% - Support

• 24.6% - Oppose

• 24.6% - Undecided

11.) Legislation will be presented in the 2010 session that would allow additional details to be taught to school children in Middle School and High School concerning Sex Education. Which of the following best describes your position on Sex Education being taught in our schools?

• 49.6% - Abstinence-based, Basic Health Components

• 21.9% - Abstinence-based, Birth Control Discussed

• 10.6% - No Sex Education in Schools

• 9.8% - Full Open Discussion

• 4.5% - Abstinence-only Education

• 3.6% - Undecided