Jim Matheson answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire

Jim Matheson, Democrat, incumbent:

1. What is the major issue facing Utah today, and how would you deal with it?

The most important issues facing Utah today are safety, economic growth and education. Efforts to improve homeland defense have made us safer, but not yet safe. I support a strong military, improved intelligence capability and support for local first responders. Education is the door to opportunity. I am fighting for more flexibility in education policy and funding. Utah's economy thrives when businesses thrive. I support tax cuts for hard-working Utah families and small businesses. I have secured investment funding for infrastructure so that our local economy moves people and products safely and efficiently. I oppose any action by the federal government leading to research, development and testing of new nuclear weapons that would once again put Utah families at risk.

2. Do you favor or oppose a U.S. constitutional amendment that would define marriage between a man and a woman? If yes, why? If no, why?

I have always defined marriage as between a man and a woman. I oppose gay marriage. In Congress, I voted for HJR106 — the Constitutional Amendment to ban Same Sex Marriage.

3. What is your stand on Amendment 3, which will be on the Utah ballot, which would amend the Utah Constitution to limit marriage between a man and a woman? Do you favor the second part of the amendment, which some legal experts, including Republican Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, say is too restrictive and possibly has equal treatment concerns?

I have always defined marriage as between a man and a woman. I oppose gay marriage. I will vote for Amendment 3.

4. Do you favor or oppose allowing U.S. citizens to buy prescription drugs from other countries, like Canada? If not, what can be done to quickly reduce the cost of prescription medicines in the U.S.?

I voted for allowing reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada after safety is ensured. Americans unfairly bear the entire cost of the pharmaceutical industry's research and development of new medicines. I support mechanisms, such as trade agreements, that require other governments to end price controls so that their citizens share the expense of discovering new drugs, as well as the benefits of their use. I also support allowing the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.

Comments

Add your comment