Spencer Cox on Government Reform

	Spencer Cox on Government Reform

Return power, resources, and decision-making back to states

Spencer agrees with James Madison that the responsibilities and powers of the federal government were to be few and defined, while the powers and responsibilities of states were numerous and indefinite. Unfortunately, over time the balance of power between the states and the federal government has become misaligned. As governor, Spencer will be a vocal champion of the ideals of federalism--working to return power, resources, and decision-making back to the states where they rightfully belong. Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial website VoteCox.com , May 14, 2023

Government decisions are major drivers in price of a home

We know that government decisions are one of the major drivers in the price of a home. Not just taxes and fees, but every requirement placed on a builder increases the cost of a home. We can build more and do it in a way that does not diminish the quality of life. Smart density, in the right places, paired with improved infrastructure from wise investments, and a renewed emphasis on single-family starter homes will make certain that Utah does not become like California. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature , Jan 19, 2023

False choice to secure elections by making it harder to vote

Cox defended Utah's vote-by-mail system, deeming the choice between making it easier for Americans to vote and having a secure elections system a "false choice."

"There's this misconception that in order to have secure elections you have to make it harder for people to vote, and we believe that that's a false choice. That's a false dichotomy," he continued. "We've been able to prove that while also making it easier for those who are eligible to vote to vote."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race , Jan 28, 2022

Voting security must never be about making it harder to vote

Some have found that unsubstantiated claims and flat-out lies are an effective way to destabilize our constitutional republic and make it harder for their opponents to participate and vote. Voting security must never be about making it harder for legal voters to vote. As a conservative, I believe that we should always work to make constitutional rights more accessible, not less. We can have safe and secure elections without making it harder to exercise our constitutional right to vote. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature , Jan 20, 2022

Electing, rather than appointing, judges a "terrible idea"

A Republican lawmaker is setting aside his proposed legislation to amend the state Constitution and elect, rather than appoint, Utah judges. Cox--a Republican candidate for governor whose current position oversees the state's election--reacted to news of the bill on Twitter by writing that "it would be impossible for me to overstate what a terrible idea this is." Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2020 Utah gubernatorial race , Mar 2, 2020

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*Other governors on Government Reform:*			*Spencer Cox on other issues:*
[Title7]	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. Matt Meyer (D) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. Bill Eigel (R) vs. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Tanner Smith (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); Dale Folwell (R) vs. Michael Morgan (D) vs. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Josh Stein (D) vs. Andy Wells (R) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Joyce Craig (D) vs. Chuck Morse (R) vs. Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) unopposed WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); Hilary Franz (D, withdrew) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited); vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]