In reading the Deseret News article on Saturday, June 26,  by Bob Bernick, Jr., (Sec B, Pg 2)it is unfortunate that Speaker Curtis has resorted to name calling (“dissident Republicans”) of those who disagree with him.   But I will not dignify his comment any more than that statement.

Regarding the occasionally recurring comment about the Democrats trying to “recruit” me, I would like to respond.  They did try to recruit me but I told them I had been a Republican for 42 years and could not see myself as anything but a Republican.  They felt that since I had been having disagreements with Leadership that I might be willing to change.  I also told them that there were extraordinary kinds of discourteous and what I thought was unprofessional behavior in our party ranks but I was committed to trying to bring our Party back to the decorum and respect it presented when I joined it 42 years ago.  I told them that I could not be a part of trying to make our Party better, that is be a part of the solution, by quitting and joining the Democrats.  I explained to them that to leave would not correct the problems only allow them to continue to grow.

I believe in our Party.  I believe in the courteous profession decorum  that was prevalent when I joined.  I believe you can have differences of opinions in our part and still have respect for that person.  And that it is not necessary to degrade those who disagree with your opinions.  Instead you respect the difference, debates the merits of the differences, vote and move to the next topic. 

Because of my concerns I have opened a House Ethics Bill that addresses gifts to Legislators, and campaign contributions, -  where they come from, how their used and how the information is made available to the public.  I have been discouraged by Leadership from running this type of legislation for the past three years.  I know there will be some in the Legislature that will find “other “ways to take pot shots” at me because I am running this bill. But I believe, as a State Representative, that is what is expected of me.  It is what I expect of myself.

Rep Steven Mascaro

We as members of the Legislature voted on and passed House Bill 169 in 2003.  This new law gave ALL members of an existing school district an opportunity to vote on and have a say in splitting a local school district.  Our Legislative intent was to give the decision on whether or not to split to all the members the LOCAL school district.  House Bill 169 was 6 pages long.  On 4 pages of the 6 pages it reiterated that ALL THE people existing district will vote and take part in the decisions involving the split. 

Since that Legislation passed, new legislation brought forward by Legislators from the newly formed school district - eastside- have brought legislation forward to reduce the involvement of the remaining- westside- school district.  In 2006, 07, and 08 I carried legislation that tried to either slow down the processes to address these changes or keep everyone involved as the initial bill allowed.   I

I would like to have a Special Session that either allows us back to the orginal intent of all being involved or to delay the implementation until the issues causing the impass can be addressed. 

Rep Steven Mascro

One of my first bills that I will open in the 2009 Legislature is one that some members of my House Leadership have discouraged me from running,- CAMPAIGN REFORM AND LEGISLATIVE GIFTS REFORM.  I am committed to carrying legislation that will address how campaign funds are used and how they are made available to the public.  I also will include more transparency of Legislative gifts and moving the responsibility to disclosing them to the Legislators.  I believe the Legislators should be responsible to report the gifts and not the Lobbyist because the Legislators were the ones given the public trust when they were voted into office, not the Lobbyist.

I will also open two bills directed at lowering income taxes.  One will address the issue of paying State Income tax on Social Security Income and the other to address the State Income tax on retired military income.  Both of these taxes, I believe represent double taxation on income and impact primarily the middle income wage earners in Utah.  These taxes also primarily impact the seniors in our community.

I am running for re-election because their is extremely important work I have started that needs to be finished. 

First, the schoold district split will require important follow-up to ensure that the west side can be treated fairly and equally with the east side.  Our children and grandchildrens’ educational future is at stake.  The transition teams for both sides need Legislators with the knowledge, experience and understanding of the issue to be there to finsh the school district split.  I have been in the middle of this issue for the last three session and have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and what needs to be watched for.  With your support we will complete the school district split in a fair and equitable way.

Second, the healthcare issue has finally taken a step forward after several years of negotiation and work.  We are closer to finding a way to help make health insurance available and affordable to Utahn’s that need it the most, -the uninsured and underinsured.  I am the Legislator that has worked on this for the past 5 years.  I need your support to continue to move this forward.

Thirdly, the Mountain View Corridor is moving forward, along with light rail after years of preparation and study.  We need Legislators that understand where the funding for this transportation project can be found and how to move it forward.  I have that understanding and experience.  Billions of dollars will be needed for our future transportation needs and I am committed to seeing that we manage every tax dollar we receive in the most efficient and effective way as we prepare for the roads of the future.