About My Platform

The sentiment behind the wonderful quote on the opposite page inspires me every day to do all I can for the people of Utah. As your legislator, I have sponsored and successfully passed "landmark” legislation that protects the residents of District 40, and addresses your mainstream views.

With your support, I will continue to work diligently as your legislator to pass the "moral test" of government.

Education

I Delivered! Our children's education is near to my heart. That is why I not only have a 100% voting record for public education, I also a long-term funding plan for our public schools. The Jones/Mascaro education bill provides long-term funding for our schools AND tax fairness, lowering income taxes for the majority of the residents in our district. And the money goes to your neighborhood schools!

Here's a sample of what our community is saying about this important bill:

"The (Jones/Mascaro bill) is the only sensible plan to provide enough funds for the state's impoverished education system."
-- Salt Lake Tribune editorial 2/26/04

"Utah leaders owe it to every public school student in Utah to carefully consider this proposal by Representative Pat Jones."
-- Deseret News editorial 8/24/02

"I have been a tax attorney for the Attorney General's Office for the past 13 years. The (Jones/Mascaro) legislation is perhaps the best, fairest, most well-thought out funding propasal I have seen during that time frame."
-- Clark Snelson
Tax Attorney
(Mr. Snelson reviews tax-related legislation)

"To paraphrase Mark Twain, everybody talks about increasing education funding, but nobody ever does anything about it. Well, … Representatives Pat Jones and Steve Mascaro are actually trying to do something about it."
-- LaVarr Webb, political columnist

Tax Reform

I Delivered! The Utah tax system is one of the more regressive systems in the country. Regressive tax systems unfairly hurt people in lower income brackets.

The poorest Utah taxpayers pay 11% of their income in taxes, while the most wealthy pay just 5.5% of their income in taxes! I firmly believe we need tax fairness, not tax increases!

The Jones/Mascaro legislation shifts the tax burden more fairly. In fact, the proposed legislation lowers taxes for the vast majority of residents of District 40. (The average household income in our district—District 40—is $52,000.)

The select few who receive several tax exemptions for dependents have a personal responsibility to pay their fair share for our public schools. After all, personal responsibility is a family and community value!

Senior Citizens

I Delivered! I sponsored and passed “landmark” legislation that protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, abuse and neglect.

I recognize an inherent need to support and protect those who have worked hard all their lives. And it's going to become more important as the senior population explodes in the next ten years.

The 65+ age group is the fastest growing age demographic in the country. And the Utah growth rate is about double the national average!

Economic Development

I Delivered! As a small business owner, I know what it's like to make apayroll twice a month. I also understand that we need to foster our existing local businesses and help them grow. That's why I have supported and will continue to support legislation that fights to eliminate unfair tax exemptions for big businesses and puts the tax burden on the backs of our small businesses.

Additionally, we need to ensure our high school and college graduates have the opportunities to raise families in Utah and earn decent wages. Quality jobs depend on quality graduates.

Stopping Hotter Waste

I Delivered! I am very concerned about Utah becoming a dumping ground for wastes and higher levels of radioactivity from other states.

As a member of the Legislature's Hazardous Waste Task Force, I have consistently voted against and will continue to vote against disposing hotter waste in Utah. While we need to protect businesses, we also need to draw the line on B & C waste.

Health – Disease Prevention

I Delivered! National studies show that 25% of children are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight, and that number is increasing rapidly. Schools should be a place where we teach good health practices, not abuse them.

We need to focus on disease prevention! That's why I have sponsored legislation that will:

• Offer healthier foods in our elementary schools' vending machines
• Encourage more physical education in our schools
• Help prevent diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.