Democrat Joshua Dutson is in the race for Utah House District 75, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Walt Brooks.
Brooks, a St. George local, was elected in 2016. He has supported legislation related to lowering Social Security tax and “protecting the unborn,” according to his campaign website.
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?
Walt Brooks: Did not answer.
Joshua Dutson: Yes. Utah should consider alternative renewable energy. Maybe solar farms in sunny southern Utah.
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?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: Yes. Utah should incentivize water conservation, not only for homeowners, but also for golf courses and resorts.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: Maybe incentivize new construction of affordable housing.
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?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: No; fertility treatment should be between a woman and her doctor.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: Against. We should not be taking money away from an already underfunded school system and underpaid teachers.
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?
Brooks: Did not answer.
Dutson: No.
