Mike Weinholtz in 2016 UT Governor's race
On Civil Rights:
Early champion of marriage equality
When the early nondiscrimination efforts were being advanced in the Utah Legislature, Mike was right by our side, testifying on our behalf. Mike was also an early champion of marriage equality. He threw his support behind efforts to provide loving
same-sex couples the legal rights to become full Americans. As a business leader, Mike led the way at CHG Healthcare to ensure that LGBTQ employees had every right and privilege that his straight employees enjoy.
Source: Equality Utah PAC on 2016 Utah governor race
Sep 13, 2016
On Civil Rights:
100% score from Equality Utah for pro-LGBT policy stances
Mike Weinholtz received a grade of 100% from Equality Utah, indicated pro-LGBT policy stances, as indicated in their 2016 Voter GuideOrganizational statement: The 2016 voter guide is a project of The Equality Utah Foundation, a
501(c)3 organization. This guide is intended for educational purposes only. Appearing in this guide does not constitute an endorsement from the Equality Utah PAC, a 527 organization.
Source: Equality Utah Voter Guide on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 9, 2016
On Abortion:
I fully support a woman's constitutional right to choose
Women's health issues have been attacked more aggressively in recent years. I fully support a woman's constitutional right to choose because health care decisions are best left to a woman and her doctor, not the government. I would also never cut funding
to Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides many Utahns with affordable access to vital health care services and decreases the number of unintended pregnancies. I will make sure that programs are in place to make abortions safe, legal, and rare.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Equal pay laws end illegal wage discrimination against women
In Utah, women make 67 cents for every dollar paid to men, the second-worst gender wage gap in the nation. The difference is even larger for women of color. I believe in equal pay for equal work and at CHG Healthcare I worked hard to close the pay gap
and encourage women to take on leadership roles. Last year, we were recognized as the 15th best place in America for women to work.As governor, I will ensure that public and private employers in Utah are complying with state and federal equal pay
laws and remove barriers to compensation for those who have faced illegal wage discrimination. We also need to make it easier for women to remain in the workforce though programs like paid family leave, because
when women can balance work and family, our economy grows. Further, we need to increase the wages women earn, both by raising the minimum wage and encouraging more girls and women to study STEM fields.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Crime:
Fully fund indigent defense; protect 6th Amendment rights
Utah is one of the few states in the country that delegates indigent defense funding to the counties, meaning many public defenders are overworked and unable to provide adequate defense. Our justice system depends on fair trials where both sides have
access to an attorney, and Utah needs to do more to protect the 6th Amendment right to counsel. I will work to create a state-wide public defense agency, or a fairer funding mechanism, so smaller counties stop struggling to fund indigent defense.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Drugs:
Treat addiction & mental illness, instead of incarceration
Prescription opioid and heroin abuse are destroying Utah families, [but] we are incarcerating too many people for minor, non-violent offenses. As governor, I will continue to advance reform of our criminal justice system by advocating for treatment of
underlying mental illness and addiction, ensuring adequate indigent defense, creating a real hate crimes law, and ending the school to prison pipeline.Many people in our jails and prisons suffer from underlying mental illness and addiction.
Without adequate treatment, they continue to cycle in and out of jails and prisons, costing us real money and destroying families. A major part of criminal justice reform is increasing mental health coverage. Utah can't afford to underfund mental
health evaluations and treatment for those in need. In 2015, over 150,000 Utahns needed mental health treatment but the State only funded treatment for fewer than 32,000. I will increase funding to mental health services and expand Medicaid.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Education:
Increase school funding for K-12, more than 3%
Education is the key to a stronger economy and a bright future for our children, but we are dead last in K-12 per-pupil funding. As governor, I will work to increase school funding for K-12 and higher education, better prepare our students for college
and careers, and close the achievement gap. The governor and legislature will pat themselves on the back for a 3% bump in K-12 education funding this past session, but this is not nearly enough to give our students and educators the resources they need
to succeed and still doesn't return funding to pre-recession levels. Our K-12 funds have been cut in two key ways. First, in 1996, the state constitution was amended to allow funds previously designated for K-12 education to also go to higher education.
Second, the change from a progressive state income tax to a flat tax further cut funds for education. Now, Utah is dead last in the nation for per-pupil spending, putting our children at an unfair and harmful disadvantage.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Education:
Promote trade schools; more publicly-funded college
It is becoming harder for many to receive a post-high school education. Three out of every four high school graduates were not ready for entry-level college courses. Public funding has dropped, which has raised tuition to the point where many can't
afford to go to college. Those that do are burdened with student debt and delay buying homes & starting families after graduation.We must ensure our students are prepared for higher education and that tuition remains affordable for everyday Utahns.
As governor, I will:- Fund K-12 public education better so we can prepare our students for college;
- Increase taxes for the top 1.5% of wage earners in Utah (those earning $250,000 or more a year)
to add more than $175 million to the education budget each year and help to reduce costs for 171,000 students; and
- Promote trade schools as a real way for people to learn the skills that suit them best.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Foolish to think coal & oil will continue to power the globe
As your governor, I will look out for the needs of all Utahns, not the special interests that tell the legislature and governor what to do.
I also recognize that we need to work with, not against, the energy industry to improve our air while ensuring quality jobs for Utah residents.
We can not and should not walk away coal and oil industries overnight, but it is foolish to think these energy sources will be able to continue to power the globe. Rural Utah in particular stands to play a powerful
role in creating the next generation of energy production if we make the right decisions today. Instead of sending $54 million to California for a coal port, we should be investing in solar and other forms of renewable energy.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Environment:
Air polluters know they are unlikely to be caught
Utah has become infamous for our pollution, especially during inversion season when our cities have some of the worst air quality in the nation. The harm is real and affects nearly every Utahn. Our dirty air means children can't play outside, causes
pregnancy complications, leads to premature death, and scares companies and families from relocating to our otherwise beautiful state.Air quality is complicated and requires a multi-pronged solution. As governor, I will give the Division of Air
Quality the tools they need, work with industries to find mutually beneficial solutions, and reduce personal and vehicle emissions.
The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is consistently underfunded and can't afford enough enforcement officers to catch the
cheaters. Polluters know they are unlikely to be caught, and even if they are, it will take years for an investigation to turn into prosecution. I will fight to increase DAQ funding to let polluters know we will no longer tolerate their actions.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Government Reform:
More restrictive campaign finance laws are necessary
The majority of Utahns believe that more restrictive campaign finance laws are necessary. The governor should be an ethical example, not sell his time to lobbyists and special interest groups for the sake of an election. I refuse to accept
donations from corporations and special interests, and will be a voice for the people who can't afford their own lobbyist. I pledge to be available to the public two days a month, no appointments or checkbooks necessary.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Health Care:
Full Medicaid expansion & access to preventative care
Utahns take care of Utahns, but our one-party government has not listened to the people. Instead, they have made health care a political issue, and their partisanship hurts families. I have built my career by
finding solutions to complex health care issues and, as governor, I will work toward full Medicaid expansion, implement state employee health programs, and increase access to preventative care.
The majority of Utahns want full Medicaid expansion, and I am the only candidate to agree with them. It's not just about doing the right thing and making sure our most vulnerable are taken care of, it's also the right decision economically.
The people of Utah already pay taxes to the federal government, but instead of having our tax dollars come back to Utah, the governor and legislature allows your hard-earned dollars to go to 32 other states to pay for their Medicaid expansions.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Jobs:
Raise the minimum wage to fight against poverty
I ran my business with the motto of putting people first, even before profits. This idea helped turn my company, CHG Healthcare, into one of
Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in the nation. I will bring that same attitude to the state when recruiting and growing businesses in the state; this will mean having the political courage to stand up for everyday
Utahns and against special interests for quality jobs.As governor, I will:- Return education funding to pre-recession levels
- Ensure Utah is at the forefront of 21st-century energy production
-
Encourage businesses to provide honest wages and offer solid benefits; and
- Raise the minimum wage to fight against poverty.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Tax Reform:
Convert 5% flat tax rate to progressive tax & raise $179M
A balanced budget is important for the good of the state and, as a successful business owner, I know how devastating high tax rates can be for business and families. However, cutting taxes year after year has had a disastrous effect on our schools,
roads, public works, and social services. In 2007, Utah moved from a progressive tax to a 5% flat tax, costing us $479 million each year. Without an educated workforce, safe roads, efficient water systems, and safe communities, businesses will not want
to set up shop in Utah--and that is not a Utah I want to live in.As governor, I propose an income tax increase for the top 1.5% of all Utahns (including myself): a 1% increase for those households earning between
$250,000 and $1 million a year and 2% for those earning over $1 million. This small change will bring nearly $179 million to our schools.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
On Technology:
Incentives to walk, bike, or take public transportation
As governor, I will create incentives to encourage state employees to walk, bike, or take public transportation to work. When state vehicles need to be replaced, we should purchase electric vehicles. I will also work upgrade the infrastructure of state
buildings, ensure that all new state buildings are LEED certified, and work with the legislature to expand incentive programs to replace inefficient home appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, and two-stroke engines with more efficient systems.
There is also much we can do to reduce vehicle emissions, a primary source of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. It needs to be easier for Utahns to take public transportation, but funds are lacking. I support and will advocate for initiatives that
allow counties to raise money they need to increase UTA funding to increase the frequency of common bus routes, ensure adequate parking at TRAX stops, and offer free fares on red air days.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018