Utah’s Senate District 15 incumbent Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a Salt Lake Democrat, and Republican challenger Scott Cuthbertson are squaring off in the 2024 general election. Riebe is a public school teacher and former Congressional candidate, while Cuthbertson serves as the CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
The candidates diverged on how they would tackle Utah’s affordable housing crisis, with Riebe advocating for more density and Cuthbertson calling for using more public financing tools to build additional stock.
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?
Scott Cuthbertson: We should support targeted investments in innovations that bring the only viable long-term answer: solutions that are clean, reliable, and affordable.
Kathleen Riebe: Energy needs to be reliable at all times. Coal is a reliable source. Braiding all energy options is looking to the future and a healthy environment.
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?
Cuthbertson: We should explore adjusting water pricing structures to encourage conservation but we must first prioritize collaboration with agriculture to promote using water-efficient technology and strengthen water rights lease-back programs for wider adoption.
Riebe: Agricultural irrigation needs to be subsidized so it is more efficient. Infrastructure maintenance in our communities to prevent leaks and evaporation. Funding wastewater research for reuse and recycling. Protect watersheds from forever chemicals.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Cuthbertson: We need a balanced approach that respects local voices and facilitates building new stock in targeted areas. We start by responsibly using more public financing tools to promote starter home construction in areas with remaining developable land.
Riebe: Preventing big corporations from purchasing large blocks of property for rentals would keep more units in the pool for everyday citizens. Create a path for higher density housing that is walkable and is appealing to existing communities.
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?
Cuthbertson: Did not answer.
Riebe: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Cuthbertson: Did not answer.
Riebe: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Cuthbertson: I’m personally opposed to abortion but the yes/no questions above require more context to answer. I do not support restrictions on IVF.
Riebe: Reproductive health is a decision best made by a family and their provider. Maintaining reproductive freedom for medical emergencies is paramount.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Cuthbertson: I support ensuring all Utah children, including my three daughters, have the best access possible to the highest quality education. I continue to meet with legislators and educators to better understand Amendment A’s implications as it’s debated.
Riebe: Against. The removal does not define where the taxes will go. Social services have immense needs that have not been met. Class sizes are too large. Education choice has create three expensive models.
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?
Cuthbertson: No.
Riebe: No.
