Democrat Samuel “Sgt. Sam” Winkler, a retired police sergeant, would support more funds for first-time buyer programs as one way to address Utah’s housing crisis.
Winkler is challenging Republican incumbent Candice Pierucci for the Utah House District 49 seat representing part of Salt Lake County.
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?
Candice Pierucci: Did not answer.
Samuel Winkler: We should always explore options including solar, wind and nuclear. We know that fossil fuels have impacted our planet and are running out.
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?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: First, we should reward those residents and businesses doing what they can to conserve water. We should also incentivize local governments to do the same — eliminate park strips, grass medians, etc.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: There is only so much that can be done as this is market-driven and our water availability is limited. We need additional funds for first-time buyer programs with reduced interest rates and incentives for those with fixed-income properties.
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?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: No. Health care should be left between the woman and the doctors. Helping people have families should be a priority for Utah.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: Against. They have not included any guarantees on funding these programs. Once the earmark has been removed, no one can guarantee that education and social programs will be funded. There need to be guarantees written into law to protect education.
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?
Pierucci: Did not answer.
Winkler: No.
