Spencer Cox on Government Reform

	Spencer Cox on Government Reform

Support the legislature overturning ballot initiatives

Cox and King volleyed about one of the most hotly debated questions ahead of November--whether Utahns should approve a constitutional amendment proposed in an emergency special session giving lawmakers unfettered power to repeal or amend voter-passed initiatives.

King said he would vote against the amendment in November, but Cox remained coy as to where he sits on it. "The governor doesn't have an opportunity to weigh in on constitutional amendments," Cox said, while insisting the power to run ballot initiatives must remain available.

"The governor is deceiving you in the same way the Legislature is," King responded, pointing out that while the governor's signature wasn't required for the amendment, he did sign bills that enabled the question to be printed on the ballot. "He's a lapdog for the most extreme and the most divisive voices in the Legislature."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race , Sep 11, 2024

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:*
*UT Gubernatorial:* Brian King Phil Lyman *UT Senatorial:* Allen Glines Austin Searle Brad Wilson Caroline Gleich Evan McMullin John Curtis Mike Lee Mitt Romney Trent Staggs	*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); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	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]