Cory Maloy is seeking another tenure representing Utah’s House District 52. The Republican was first elected to the legislature in 2017.
This year, Maloy, a public relations specialist, is running against political newcomer Michael Keller. Keller, a Democrat, currently teaches online courses at BYU-Idaho and is a substitute teacher for Alpine School District.
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 amendment 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?
Michael Keller: The only realistic replacement for fossil fuel is nuclear power. We have to use the coal-fired power plants until we are can invest in nuclear power.
Cory Maloy: 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?
Keller: Green lawns increase health and help reduce surrounding temperature. Government subsidizes have turned green yards into rock/weed gardens. A better approach would be to plant drought-resistant ground cover, such as clover or buffalo grass.
Maloy: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Keller: Utah’s new development needs to be built around multifamily housing units. This encourages efficient use of public resources, such as transportation, utilities and schools, reducing the strain on city infrastructure.
Maloy: Did not answer.
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?
Keller: Did not answer.
Maloy: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Keller: Did not answer.
Maloy: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Keller: I believe that abortion should be legal in the case of a dead fetus or a pregnancy resulting from rape.
Maloy: 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?
Keller: Although it will give state more flexibility and stability, I will vote against it. I believe this change will affect future property taxes rates. I would rather have higher income taxes than higher property taxes.
Maloy: 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?
Keller: No.
Maloy: Did not answer.
