Vaughn Cook in 2016 UT Governor's race
On Education:
Boost school funding & reduce class size
Vowing to boost school funding and reduce Republicans' clout, Utah County businessman Vaughn R. Cook has formally launched his Democratic bid for Utah governor.
Beyond more public spending, Cook called for greater involvement in public schools by the private sector and senior citizens, as well as innovative thinking on ways to improve the quality of education.
"We talk about reducing class size--and I believe there is an optimum class size--but it might be smarter to put two teachers in the class," Cook said. "It would save a lot of money if we don't have to build that added infrastructure."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
On Environment:
Tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality
Cook's platform calls for raising Utah's minimum wage, with potential exemptions for smaller and startup companies; tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality; expansion of Medicaid programs covering the poor; and greater transparency
with an end to closed-door caucuses on Utah's Capitol Hill.The fifth-generation Utahn previously served as chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party. He co-founded the Utah Centrist Democratic Council, a group
Cook described as seeking political solutions based "in the consensus of common sense" rather than "the extreme, uncompromising edges of the political spectrum."
"Used to be," Cook said, "that compromise was not a dirty word in Utah politics."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
On Health Care:
Expand Medicaid programs covering the poor
Cook's platform calls for raising Utah's minimum wage, with potential exemptions for smaller and startup companies; tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality; expansion of Medicaid programs covering the poor; and greater transparency
with an end to closed-door caucuses on Utah's Capitol Hill.A Logan native and graduate of Utah State University, Cook holds a degree in Oriental medicine.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
On Jobs:
Raise Utah's minimum wage
Cook's platform calls for raising Utah's minimum wage, with potential exemptions for smaller and startup companies; tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality; expansion of Medicaid programs covering the poor; and greater transparency
with an end to closed-door caucuses on Utah's Capitol Hill."We suffer from the supermajority of one party," Cook said. "It's just not healthy for us to have a government system so controlled by so few people."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
On Abortion:
Limit abortions to rape, incest, and health
The Utah County Democrats' new platform follows The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' position on abortion. The new platform says "every abortion is a tragedy" and opposes "elective abortion for personal or social convenience."
Abortion should be limited to instances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, cases of fetal deformities or when there is a serious threat to the life or health of the mother, the platform states.
Vaughn Cook, chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party, says, "The things that the Republicans would like to use to identify Democrats aren't really the things that identify Democrats." Issues such as gay marriage and abortion attract
most of the headlines, he said, but public education and transportation are examples of the important issues confronting government on a day-to-day basis. "It was time to define ourselves again," Cook said.
Source: Deseret News on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jun 14, 2006
On Civil Rights:
Dems respect that most Utahns prefer traditional marriage
A revised platform intended to give the Democratic Party more mainstream voter appeal in Utah County was adopted. That makeover includes a Republican-like definition of marriage and follows The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' position on
abortion. But that doesn't mean Utah County Democrats have taken an if-you-can't-beat-'em-join-'em philosophy, said Vaughn Cook, chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party. "I think (the new platform) is a good reflection of the attitudes and beliefs
of most Democrats in Utah County," Cook said.On the topic of families, the platform states that Utah County Democrats, like most Utahns, "define marriage as the union of one man and one woman." That statement is followed by more open-minded
language: "However, we also acknowledge that some have deeply held and sometimes differing views on this issue. We seek to understand those differences in a spirit of civility, hope and mutual respect."
Source: Deseret News on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jun 14, 2006
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018