Questions for the candidates: Peter Corroon (D)

Candidate Questionnaire: Peter Corroon (D)1. What is your top priority for the State of Utah?Short-term, I believe growing our state's jobs and economy are our top priority, especially our local businesses that create most of our jobs. Long-term, our education system is my top priority because education goes hand in hand with our long-term economic goals. We need to have an educated work force that is prepared to enter into Utah's own private sector, rather than going out of state. Dollars invested in education stay in our communities and provide local jobs.

1. What will you do to improve Utah's economy? Many people are having difficulty finding jobs. What are your plans to help create jobs for blue and white collar Utahns?I am a supporter of business, both small and large. The role of government is to provide the necessary infrastructure so businesses can expand, then get out of the way so the private sector can do what it is meant to do, without government interference. As governor, I will work to institute a new jobs tax credit for businesses that pay above the average wage. We need to ensure that employers who are recipients of state funding or incentives will be required to use the money to hire Utahns. I will also support training for workers so that they can be re-trained for industries that are hiring. My entire jobs and economy plan can be found on www.votecorroon.com.
2. What type of priority is education, including higher education, to you? What will you do to improve public schools and access to higher education?Education is among my top priorities and is crucial for the future success of our great state. Utah is dead last in the nation in per pupil spending. Education funding was cut again this year during the 2010 legislative session, leaving the entering 11,000 new students with no funding. Money is not the only answer for improving our state's education system. My plan for improving education in Utah involves six R's:
   1. Renewing our commitment
   2. Raising standards
   3. Rigor in math and science
   4. Rethinking accountability
   5. Returning local control
   6. Responsible school funding
   We need to encourage more parent involvement and come up with creative solutions, such as mentoring programs for college students to help in our public schools. I worked with my Lt. Governor candidate and lifelong educator Sheryl Allen to develop an entire education plan, which can be found on www.votecorroon.com.
3. What role should the State of Utah have in immigration reform?I take illegal immigration seriously and will continue to support the enforcement of immigration laws. The federal government has been failing us when it comes to the issue of immigration, so it is not surprising that states are experiencing frustration and feel an urgency to solve the problem. I support reasonable and practical immigration laws. This problem is not isolated to a single state and a single state should not be picking up the cost of fighting this battle. We need to secure our borders, crack down on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, remove dangerous criminals from our country and require all people to go through the proper immigration process. At the same time, we need an immigration system that works for those who want to come to the U.S. and be productive citizens.
4. Do you believe the state government needs ethics reform and campaign finance reform?State government sorely needs ethics and campaign finance reform. When it comes to government ethics, Utah should be setting the high water mark for the nation. Our society is based on values and ethics. I have been a vocal supporter of many ethics initiatives, including the Utahns for Ethical Government and Fair Boundaries initiatives. We must start by setting campaign finance limits and prohibiting state contractors from giving large contributions. Our state leaders can and should do the right thing. Unfortunately, our current governor does not support campaign finance limits and has not supported the ethics initiatives. When I became mayor of Salt Lake County there were no campaign finance laws. Once in office I pushed through new ethics laws, and once elected governor of Utah I will do the same for statewide races.
5. Utah is famous for its beautiful landscapes. What will you do to protect and promote these areas?We need to be good stewards of our air and water quality. I recognize that one of Utah's greatest assets is our environment, on which much of our vital tourism and hospitality industry depends. As governor, I will work to promote Utah as a travel destination by expanding our tourism promotion budget, developing and promoting high-quality recreational opportunities, focusing on destination recreation in rural Utah, and bringing more conferences and conventions to the state. I also recognize that we must use our public lands for energy and other economic development purposes. I would take a balanced approach that allows for both access to public lands and protection of sensitive areas.
6. What are your views on nuclear testing?I believe our state is blessed with a variety of options for energy production. We need to continue investment and research in our traditional energy sources, like coal; while expanding on renewable options, like solar and wind. One resource our state is not abundant in is water, so while I support nuclear energy development, I do not think it is a good choice for the state of Utah.
7. When you are forming an opinion on an issue, who do/will you ask for advice and information?As Salt Lake County mayor I listen to experts in the variety of fields we deal with. I talk to farmers about agricultural issues and teachers about education issues. I also discuss issues with the voters. It is my constituency whose opinions matter the most, so I do my very best to read every email and respond to every inquiry. As governor, I will do the same for all Utahns.
8. In your opinion, what is the number one issue facing Utah's families today? What would you do as Governor to alleviate that issue?Utahns are facing a variety of difficult issues. The loss of jobs and the current economic conditions are the top issues facing families. As governor I will focus on economic development throughout the entire state. My entire jobs and economy plan can be found on www.votecorroon.com.
9. What is the one personal trait/characteristic that you want voters to know about you, and why is that important in this race?Voters should know that I am a fiscal conservative. I also hold honesty and good moral character in high regard. As governor I will bring these attributes to our State Capitol by running an open, honest and effective government.