UNITED UTAH PARTY PLATFORM

Preamble

The United Utah Party is focused on good government - the process by which our laws are made and executed. We believe that good government requires transparency, fairness, and a robust and civil debate. We believe that public policy should ultimately reflect the will of the people.

We don’t require candidates or members to agree on all issues. That’s why we don’t, as a party, take rigid sides on most issues. Candidates and members can take sides, but the party doesn’t have a litmus test.

The United Utah Party is not ideological. We ask instead that people come to the political process with good will and good faith. Being a Uniter means doing the listening and the hard work required to find common ground. We persuade when we can, extend a hand of friendship when we cannot, and we respect the voice of the people either way.

These guidelines set us apart from other political parties. The United Utah Party believes that solutions can be found to the pressing problems of society using a pragmatic approach, finding common ground with others, and encouraging widespread public involvement in the resolution of public policy issues.   We believe in the worth of all individuals in a society and assert that engagement by all is the best means for operating a democratic republic.

Government Reform

Support process reforms that increase transparency  

• Allow all  proposed bills to be open to meaningful public review.
• Open legislative caucus meetings.
• Promote ethics reforms that will make it easier to identify and eliminate conflicts of interest.

Support election reforms  that expand participation and limit the influence of partisan insiders

• Eliminate straight-party voting to ensure consideration of all candidates and issues.
• Provide more non-partisan elections for positions such as city and county councils,  school boards, sherriffs, and attorneys general.
• Require that publicly funded primaries not be restricted to party members.
• Reduce barriers to registration, making it easier for all citizens to vote.
• Strengthen an independent redistricting commission.
• Expand Ranked Choice Voting to reduce costs, encourage civility, and better reflect public will.

Support reforms that increase government accountability

• Impose term limits that will reduce incumbent advantages.
• Introduce campaign finance limits that will limit the influence of moneyed special interests.

Fiscal Responsibility

Balanced Budgets  

Support sound fiscal policies that create viable long term balance between government revenues and expenditures for the benefit of current and future generations.

Economic Growth 

Preserve the free market system as the engine for future economic growth. This growth must “raise all boats”; public policy must promote economic opportunity for all, regardless of social and economic class.

Education 

Support increased funding for public education as a vehicle for sustained economic growth, an engaged citizenry, and to  equip students for a rapidly changing world . Promote policies that balance the empowerment of teachers with accountability to ensure that funds are used effectively.

Environmental Stewardship

Advocate stewardship for Utah’s natural resources over the long term. Promote policies that protect our air, water, and land to provide quality of life and economic benefits for the many and across generations.

Taxes and Regulations

Support a more efficient tax system that minimizes loopholes, reduces negative effects on working families, and ensures a fair contribution from all. Review regulations and policies to continually assess their value in a changing economy.

Sound Public Policy

Equal Opportunity

Support laws that provide protection against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Every individual is of inherent worth, has a right to be respected, and deserves to fully participate in our shared political and economic life.

Faith 

Protect the role of religious belief in public life as well as the constitutional right to free exercise of religious expression for all.

Family  

Support the family as the basic unit of society. Uphold the sanctity of human life including opposition to abortion except in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal deformities, or serious jeopardy to the life or health of the mother.

Healthcare

Promote reforms that extend healthcare to more people, reduce costs, and improve outcomes and the quality of care.

Immigration 

Endorse policy reforms that respect the dignity of individuals and the unity of families. Advocate for a healthy immigration system that includes fair, enforceable laws and that promotes the economic benefits of immigration.

Second Amendment

Support the right of Utahns to possess firearms, while recognizing the need for safeguards to keep them out of the hands of those who would use them irresponsibly.