"When I was elected, I promised to focus on the core values of quality education, tax reform, improved economic development, enhanced transportation systems, more efficient government, and preservation of community and family values.  I can proudly say that incredible progress has been made in each of those areas.  We were able to do it together!   Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the Legislature."

• Public Education funding has been infused with $1.1 billion (44% increase) over the past four years
• The legislature has passed $320 million in tax relief since 2005 from income tax reduction, partial removal of sales tax on food and business tax reductions.  I serve on the House Revenue and Tax Committee
• The state income tax system has been reformed to reduce personal income tax from 7% to 5%
• Utah enjoys the best economy in the country with one of the lowest unemployment rates
• State bonds used to construct state buildings have been reduced by $19,000,000 (23% decrease) during the last 3 years and all state buildings (including the Capitol) have been constructed with cash rather than debt
• The “Rainy Day Fund” which was nearly depleted in 2002 has now grown to $414,000,000
• Utah is recognized as the best place in the nation to start a business and to raise a family
• Laws have been enhanced to protect families from abuse, pornography, drugs and crime
• Air and water are cleaner now than a decade ago.  I am the Chairman of the House committee responsible for Environmental Quality, Water Quality and development of the State’s Natural Resources
• Water conservation and storage projects have been instituted to address anticipated population growth
• The Legislature passed a comprehensive State Energy Policy in 2006.  For two years, I chaired the work group that developed the framework to create the energy policy and I sponsored the bill that put it into law
• Legacy Parkway is nearly complete and is expected to open October 2008.  I served on the negotiation team which reached agreement with opponents of the highway so UDOT could finally begin construction
• Commuter Rail has been constructed between Ogden and Salt Lake (expected to open by May 2008)
• World Magazine selected Utah as one of only two states to receive an “A” for governance
• Governing Magazine selected Utah as the best managed state in the country
• Utah is only one of a handful of states which still has a AAA bond rating

I would appreciate your vote in 2008
to serve you for another two-year term

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