It’s a whole new race in Utah House District 31, where Democrat Verona Mauga defeated incumbent Brett Garner in their party’s primary.
She now squares off against Republican Bill Swann for the seat that includes parts of West Valley City.
The Salt Lake Tribune submitted the same set of questions, based on top issues readers said they were watching in this election, to each candidate. The questions and their answers that appear below — with the candidates listed in alphabetical order — may have been edited slightly for length, style or grammar. The questions were sent to candidates before a Utah judge voided multiple amendments from ballots.
Utah’s largest electricity provider has canceled plans to replace its coal-fired power plants with nuclear power and has walked back comments about investing in clean energy. Should Utah be looking for more sustainable and less fossil fuel and carbon-dependent energy sources? If so, how?
Verona Mauga: Yes, protecting our climate means protecting our families. We should work to ensure that Utah remains healthy for generations to come.
Bill Swann: Did not answer.
Water scarcity continues to be a challenge for the state. Recent legislation has attempted to conserve water and to get more water to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River. Should Utah do more to subsidize homeowners’ efforts to conserve water? What other steps should be taken to deal with water scarcity?
Mauga: Protecting the Great Salt Lake is one of the most important issues facing our state. We should work to support homeowners’ efforts to conserve water while continuing to work with cities and counties to find other solutions to our water crisis.
Swann: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Mauga: I support helping first-time home buyers, protecting renters and working with local governments on zoning changes. We also need a sustainable plan to build more housing, ensuring everyone has a place to call home.
Swann: Did not answer.
(Verona Mauga) Verona Mauga is running for Utah House District 31.
Following the Utah Supreme Court’s recent decision to keep a near-total abortion ban blocked, anti-abortion lawmakers and advocates called for additional legislative action to circumvent the court-ordered injunction. Would you support banning abortion after six weeks?
Mauga: No.
Swann: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Mauga: No.
Swann: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Mauga: No, IVF and fertility treatments are vital medical advancements that should be protected. They give families the chance to grow and have children.
Swann: Did not answer.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Mauga: I will be voting against it. Public education is one of the most important services our government provides. The guaranteed funding that the earmark allows for must be protected.
Swann: Did not answer.
A Utah judge has voided Amendment D and said votes for or against it cannot be counted, but the state is appealing. Do you support changing the Utah Constitution to guarantee that the Legislature can repeal or amend ballot initiatives?
Mauga: No.
Swann: Did not answer.
