Utah Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, a Salt Lake Democrat, hopes to win reelection to her seat in Utah’s House District 34.
However, she’s facing two challengers: Republican Karl Jurek and Dennis Roach of the United Utah Party.
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?
Karl Jurek: Did not answer.
Carol Spackman Moss: Utah should be looking at many available options, like natural gas, solar, wind, and geothermal sources, not extending coal-powered power plants.
Dennis Roach: 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?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: We need to do more, particularly providing incentives for farmers to reduce their water use, as well as incentivizing homeowners to conserve water.
Roach: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: We need to create a long-term funding source to provide low-interest loans to help middle and lower-income individuals gain home ownership, including condos, townhomes and homes on small lots.
Roach: Did not answer.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, at Utah Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
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?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: No.
Roach: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: No.
Roach: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: There should not be government restrictions on reproductive health care. These decisions should be made by couples and their doctors.
Roach: 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?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: I am against Amendment A. The Utah Constitution established all income taxes go to fund public education. Since then, two amendments have been made to add higher ed and people with disabilities. Further erosion will be detrimental to public education.
Roach: 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?
Jurek: Did not answer.
Moss: No.
Roach: Did not answer.
