Rep Stephen D. Clark

It goes on! What's the future?

2008-12-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

I have taken a breather from politics and have enjoyed a wonderful time of Thanksgiving and celebration of the Savior's birth. I hope you also had a wonderful holiday season. This has been a monumental year for our family. It has been filled with tears of sorrow and tears of joy. It has brought a family together under extreme circumstances and the family has performed well. Our daughter survived due to a miracle - not only the burn injuries but also the trauma of the crash. It was meant for her to live and finish her mission with her family and others. And, in the meantime, we have learned you ask for what you need and accept what is given to you with gratitude. Stephanie will be coming home soon!

The newspapers have picked up on an exercise I am conducting regarding my chances in running for mayor of Provo. I have written a number of peer leaders in all parts of the city asking for a judgment on my electability and name ID in their part of town. I will be contacting these people in the next couple of months for an assessment. That is the only thing I have done and this exercise should not be construed as a decision to run for mayor. Local government has been appealing to me because it is where public servants meet the people face to face. I would like to hear your take on this prospective.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To my constituents

2008-11-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

I don't want to start the legislative year without thanking you again for your trust and overwhelming support for me. As I met with many of you on the campaign trail I mentioned my disappointment in not hearing from my constituents. Even when critical votes come up I seldom get constituent input. When the voucher votes came up (at least 3 times in the last eight years) I received very little reponse for or against on the issue. I am hoping this will change. I plea with you to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule during the upcoming session and let me know your opinion on issues. This is the only way I can know what my constituents are thinking - otherwise, I can only vote my best judgment. Feel free to email me at sclark@utah.gov. I hope to hear from you. Regards Steve

My sincere gratitude

2008-11-05T00:26:00.000-08:00

Hi friends, neighbors and constituents,

The votes haven't been counted 100% in District #63 but the Daily Herald called and said I won. I want to thank my wife Cindy and all my children including Stephanie (who is in the Maricopa Burn Center) and my grandchildren for their hard work and encouragement in my campaign. I thank my campaign manager David Morgan and his sister Barb for giving me good counsel. To all my supporters - especially those who put their name on the line in support of me I thank them for their courage and loyalty. And, to my constituents and voters of district 63 who put their trust in me thank you and know I will honor that trust and will serve you well.

To my friend Don Jarvis - who I respect even more - I congratulate him on a good clean race. He worked hard. I know we can meet each other on the street or in church and feel comfortable. There is no bad feelings or regrets. The difference is simply party affliation.

All Utah County Democrat opponents worked hard and ran tough races. The only Democratic loser was the strategist that dreamed up the cockamamie idea to have Democrats masquerade as Republicans. This strategist has been a switch hitter all his political career - he ran for the legislature as a Republican and lost then - now he has switched to a Democrat, talked his Democrat friends into running disguised as Republicans. Go figure!

California Prop.8

2008-11-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

President Packer told Arizonians in a Regional Conference held November 2, 2008 that if members of the church want to follow the brethren they should vote for Prop 8 in California and a similar proposition in Arizona.

The church has made the decision to stand firm for what is right regardless of the consequences. The Church will not drift with the times. I support its effort both in time and money to protect the sacred nature of marriage.

Consider this, the California Democratic Party has raised over $30 million to defeat Prop. 8 and the LDS church. The Republicans support the church. I am proud to be a Republican.

Talk all you want about hybrid Democrats in Utah County but the money Democrats raise and send to the National Party goes to support liberal inititives like Prop. 8. This is a "fact of life" and all the rhetoric about the "person not the party" is double talk - the person is the party.

Happy Halloween! There's some scary things out there!

2008-10-31T20:25:00.000-07:00

As the trick or treaters came to the door I made note of the scariest costumes. I saw a vampire with glistening fangs and blood running down his cheeks. Pretty scary! Then a ghost came by with black eyes peering out of the bedsheet. Pretty scary! Then I saw a witch flying on a broomstick writing messages in the sky. Pretty scary! But, the scariest costume of all was a donkey dressed up as an elephant! I almost fainted! Happy Halloween!

The truth is known!

2008-10-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have been doing extensive investigative work as to why Democratic candidates don't make their support known for candidates for President of the United States. Our Democrat friends are surprisingly moot on the point. I haven't seen a sign, a piece of literature or a hint as who they are voting for particularly when Obama seems to be the odds on choice to be president.

However, in my investigations I have discovered who my opponent is voting for and it wasn't easy to find out. I have a strong suspicion he is voting for Obama. How do I know? Look at the "O" in "VOTE" on his blue signs and presto an Obama symbol - that's how I know. Brilliant! The truth is known. President Obama will never know there is a state named Utah.

Norm Thurston's Letter to the Editor

2008-10-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

I suggest you look up Norm Thurston's letter to the editor in the Daily Herald. Simply put the Utah County Democratic candidates don't believe in their own party. They have gone to great lenghts to avoid being identified as Democrats. Then on the other side of the coin they cry out for a two party system. My question is if Democrats want to be Republicans and don't want to affiliate with the Democratic Party who is the other party going to be?

It is crazy to think voters don't understand this charade - the two party system in Utah is live and well. Short of government mandating an equal split between parties, the voters will continue to decide what the split will be and in my opinion party platforms will continue to be the determining factor.

Thank you Independence High School

2008-10-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

I recently received a letter from the faculty at Independence High School. I would like to share it with you since Democrats would like you to believe that teachers are not happy with the Republican Party and what it has done in the legislature. Here it goes:

Dear Steve Clark,

Independence High School teaching staff would like to thank you. As this new school year began and our new pay scale took effect, we did not want to pass the opportunity to mention our gratitude. We appreciate the efforts you have made over the past couple of years to make salaries in Utah competitive with surrounding states.

Additionally, with the change in the economy, it is particularly nice to live in the most fiscally responsible state in the nation. Even so, we know that you had to meet to re-balance the budget. Thank you for holding education harmless. It can be difficult to find the places to cut the budget and to leave education alone means a lot to the educators, students and parents of our school.

Sincerely,

Independence High School

All faculty signed the bottom of the letter.

THANKS INDEPENDENCE FOR YOUR GRATITUDE - remember it was the Republicans that got you the raise, kept Utah the most fiscally responsble state in the nation and held education harmless during re-balancing.

Ethics Committee Update

2008-10-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

We - the House Ethics Committee - have made a decision on the Rep. Greg Hughes complaint. All charges filed against Rep. Hughes were found unproven. We spent seven days and took 60 hours of testimony from 40 witnesses before we came to this verdict. The complaint was filed by three Democrats and the committee of four Republicans and four Democrats found all six charges in the complaint unproven. The process works and works well. On this committee no party has vote advantage so the decision was correct, fair and non-partisan. I consider it a sacred trust to be one of the eight members of the Ethics Committee whose responsibility it is to sit in judgment of the 75 members of the House of Representatives.

Next week we start hearing the Rep. Phil Riesen complaint.

The Colorado Model

2008-10-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

I suggest my readers refer to an article written in the The Weekly Standard, Denver Colorado by Fred Barnes. It is entiled "The Colorado Model."

The essence of this article is that Ethics in Colorado is being used as a test bed for a swarm offense by Democrats and liberals to put conservatives and Republicans on defense as much as possible. Does this tactic sound familiar?

Two party system

2008-10-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have heard complaints that the two party system doesn't work in Utah. I disagree - the two party system is live and well in Utah. I have also heard that balance is needed in the legislature. I agree - but only if the people of Utah decide the balance. Since 1970 the voters of Utah have supported the two party system but have not supported balance otherwise we would see 52 Republicans and 52 Democrats serving. However, the voters will speak on how many Republicans and Democrats will serve in the legislature Nov. 4th.

When voters go to the polls they will remember that Utah is only one of five states with a triple A (AAA) bond rating, Utah has had enormous economic growth, its revenues are healthy even in declining economic times and its savings accounts are filled to the brim. Finally, Utah is proven to be the Best Managed State in the Nation.

Ethics Committee Hearing

2008-10-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post from the Ethics Committee Hearing. As a committee member I cannot comment on the testimony or procedures but I can say the system works and works well. I now see the wisdom of this process and know that this is the best possible way of insuring fairness and integrity into the ethics process. I am honored to be a member of the committee.

Rally the troops!

2008-10-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

I overheard a Democrat candidate trying to justify the disguise of his Democrat affliation. He said "I'm not a Democrat my political philosophy aligns with the Republicans." He went on to say "he would never support abortion." The voter asked "if you align with the Republicans why don't you run as a Republican?" The answer: "well I don't like the ethics of the Republicans." The voter ends the discussion by saying "well why don't you run as a Republican and then change Republican ethics when you get elected?"

Good question!

Republicans it is time to rally the troops! The Democrats are out in mass. It is time for Republicans to say "enough is enough" with this Democrat masquerade. We need sign locations, cottage meetings, walking neighborhoods, we need to energize the Republican base. Remember, we have only one month left to get our message out!

Thank you Daily Herald

2008-10-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

In a October 2nd editorial the Daily Herald accessed the performance of the legislature in its budget cutting Special Session: " overall they (the legislators) did well which is good because this session is just a warm-up for tough choices they'll likely face in the regular session."

The paper goes on to say:"that makes the next session of the Legislature one of the most important in years. It's good that our lawmakers had a little practice before January." It is obvious the paper sees the importance of legislative stability in upcoming budget challenges.

"The governor and lawmakers acted commendable." "Utah's Legislature has a terrific track record of sound fiscal management and the Special Session only served to reinforce that reputation.

Remember, "while the dogs will continue to bark at the wheels of the caravan it will continue on!"

Palin Biden Debate

2008-10-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

In tonight's debate it was clear where the Democrats stand on the definition of "marriage." Gov. Palin made it clear that Republicans defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Sen. Biden defined marriage as a union or contract between anybody. The sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman must never be compromised. A vote for Obama/Biden and Democratic candidates is a vote against preserving marriage.

Differences between Democrats and Republicans are starting to show!

2008-10-01T20:30:00.001-07:00

Today I noticed in a Democrat handout some differences between Utah County Republicans and Democrats. Hopefully, we can now start seeing the differences to help voters chose. Hopefully, voters will soon be able to distinguish between the parties and candidates. Hopefully, voters will find out Democrats are not Republicans regardless of their Utah County platform. I believe the Democrat strategy to disguise their Democrat affiliation in their campaign presentations, literature and signs is questionable campaign ethics - a campaign issue Democrats are using against Republicans.

Public Education

2008-09-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Reporting from the House floor I am pleased to announce Public Education's budget was not touched in the recent round of $3oom budget cuts.

The Republicans have honored their commitment to hold Public Education harmless!

Who is your choice for president?

2008-09-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket?

I would like to know who the Utah County Democrats are voting for - it may be a great questions to ask.

If they are joining me supporting the McCain/Palin ticket I hope they will be willing to plant a McCain/Palin sign on their front lawn.

Polling

2008-09-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today I received some calls from constituents complaining that they have been contacted by a so-called polling agency asking questions about their voting preference. It is alarming that the caller has important information about the call recipient.

This is not "push polling!" Push polling is campaigning disguised as scientific polling. This could be ID theft.

If you get a call from a so-called pollster find out who they represent and where the information is going. Do not engage in the conversation if the caller does not devulge this information. I have been assured the Republican Party is not doing this.

Be careful there is a lot of deception in this election year!

Battle of the Signs

2008-09-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

The battle of signs has begun in district #63. Campaign strategists tell me that signs do little to garner votes or even change votes but it's fun to compete for yard locations. I find it interesting some folks will have both candidate's signs on their lawn. It's OK. I believe the reason for this is some candidates don't put their party affiliation on their signs hoping people will think its a non-partisan race. The "battle of the lawn signs" goes on but the most important sign will be the D or R on the ballot in the voting booth.

Cougars are Awesome!

2008-09-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Republicans and Democrats aside, Obama and McCain aside, Dan Jones polling aside the Cougars are undefeated beating UCLA convincingly. The Cougars are awesome!

Mixing Religion with Politics

2008-09-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

My Grandfather often said that "mixing religion with politics is like lighting your cigar with a Molotov cocktail." The more I have been involved in politics the more this axiom holds true. Mormons across the nation, both Democrats and Republicans, were outraged when Mike Huckabee tried to submarine Mitt Romney by attacking his religion. It was called blatant religious prejudice. I agree. Tearing down a candidate because of his religion is deplorable.Now, in a Salt Lake Tribune article by Thomas Burr, Democrats have "charged Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin as a 'devout member of an anti-Mormon denomination' and questioned whether LDS faithful should vote for her." Is that also religious bigotry, and if so, isn't it just as deplorable as Huckabee's?Where are Utah County Democrats on this? It is evident by reading Utah County Democrats' literature that they would much rather be counted in as good standing members of the Mormon faith than being known as Democrats. While you rarely see the word "Democrat" or the donkey symbol on their campaign material, they do state boldly they are practicing Mormons; that they hold high church callings or they have served missions for the church. Religion can be a mixed bag, but in my opinion it has no place in political dialogue. Matt Holland has the right idea. In his new book Bonds of Affection: Civic Charity and the Making of America, he thoughtfully shows how this nation was formed on the pedestal of civic charity. It is not what or who we worship, how frequently we worship, or whether we worship at all. What matters is our care and concern for our fellow men, as well as for the nation we’ve established. John Winthrop, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, each an integral player in some of the most defining moments of our country, were all too aware of the need for love, charity, and compassion. This should be the standard of political objective, not a bi-partison war over religious practice.

Distinguishing Republicans from Democrats in Utah

2008-09-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

It is only fair that candidates be honest and declare their party affliation beyond the ballot designation on election day. The voters need to know which party the candidates represent because party affliation is a good indicator of a person's persuasion.

For example, if you are a Utah County Democrat you are a standard bearer of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi and John Edwards. Once you are a member of the Democratic Party you are - whether you like it or not - a foot soldier for the national party - they count you in their numbers and support you and fund you. This problem is why Utah Democratic candidates do not use the party name or logo in their presentations or literature. The second problem is Utah County Democrats have a different platform than Utah Democrats and the national party. So this poses the question which platform will carry in the Utah Legislature? Voters need to know this!

A good example, Utah's Constitutional Amendment 3 that defined marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman was nearly defeated because a 2/3 vote was needed in the House and Senate to make changes to the constitution. In the Senate the amendment passed by one vote. All Republicans voted for the Amendment and all Democrats voted against the Amendment. In the House three Democrats crossed over to pass the amendment and they paid for their defection.

Today the LDS Church reaffirmed its stance on marriage and spoke out against the California Supreme Court's definition of marriage. It is asking LDS members to actively support Proposition 8 which would overturn the California Supreme Court's decision.

If Utah County Democrats want to be Republicans we need to know what plans, proposals, what legislation, what funding they are going to supply to show their commitment to pro-family values - then we need to know how they are going to convince their colleagues who voted against family value legislation to change their vote.

Republicans have provided protections to traditional families since they took over in 1970. If Utah County Democrat cannot take over and control their party in Utah, trading Republicans with Democrats will only weaken these protections. Why take this risk?

We Live In Exciting Times - Whether Good or Bad!

2008-08-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

First, Cindy and I want to thank all of you for your encouragement of hope and for your prayers. We are still in Arizona walking on a long and tenuous tightrope for the survival of our daughter Stephanie. My talented daughter Courtney is making daily reports on the progress of Stephanie and her husband Christian on cjanerun.com.

I hope you had a chance to watch the proceedings of the Democratic Convention. I thought it was well produced and I thought Barack laid out a clear outline of what he wants to do. He didn't, however, say much about how he is going to pay for it. The Democratic Platform is clear and hasn't changed from previous Democratic candidates.

Now it is time for the Republicans to step forward and make their case. I hope you will give the Republicans equal time. In the end, I think we will have a clear distinction as to where each candidate wants to take us. I hope the Republicans will be more straightforward as to how much it is going to cost to get us there.

Remember, words come cheap but converting words to actions takes honesty. And honesty never comes cheap.

Prayers Requested

2008-08-19T17:22:00.001-07:00

As some of you may know, my daughter and son-in-law were severely hurt in an airplane crash last Saturday. I am in Arizona and may not be able to post on this blog frequently for a couple weeks. And, as you can imagine, politics is the furthest thing in my mind right now. My family and I appreciate your prayers.

Thanks,
Steve

Democrats Hoping for Few Small Victories - Bob Bernick

2008-08-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Did you get a chance to read Bob Bernick's assessment of Utah politics and the hopes of Utah Democrats in this morning's Deseret News?

It is interesting how Utah County Democrats tout Mitt Romney as their model candidate for president even though he is a Republican. Yet today I read the National Democrats are launching a full scale attack on Mitt to derail his chances to be John McCain's running mate. Then in Bernick's article he says a McCain-Romney ticket would be death for Utah Democrats. Why the mixed signals and if Utah County Democrats like Mitt and his politics why are they not Republicans? (Click link for Davidson's Deseret News article "Utah Demo wants end to attacks on Romney.")
This issue has always been a slippery slope for Democrats. Utah County Democrats like their party affiliation but know the party’s platform and reputation does not resonate with Utah voters. So their strategy is to stay arms length from the party and its reputation while taking advantage of easy access into the political races (no convention and no primary) by running as a Democrat. Rather than work as a Republican candidate they want to be counterfeit Republicans. They want to act and look like Republicans but they don’t want to file as a Republican and run against another Republican in a primary election. Democrats cry out for "choice" and a strong two party system but to have “real choice” and a real two party system we need real Democrats running against real Republicans.
Rather than explaining their party’s liberal national platform, Democrats use terms like fiscal and social conservatives and they adopt a generic "Utah County platform"(unapproved by the national committee) that isn’t substantial enough to distinguish Democrat thought from Republican thought. The platform language simply mirrors values of Republicans. Take note, Utah County Democrats are skillful in avoiding anything in their campaigns that refer to the Democratic Party. Their billboards, signs and literature never mention Democratic Party affiliation. Why? If they don’t like the Democratic Party why don’t they file as Republicans where there is plenty of philosophical diversity?
The cry for a stronger two party system in Utah will never work if Democrats present themselves as counterfeit Republicans. Case in point, the Utah County platform doesn’t give voters a clear view of Democratic positions, it simply reiterates Republican values. Utah County Democrats want balancing voices in the legislature but their counterfeit campaigning techniques don’t give us any idea of what real Democrats stand for. As it is today, I see voters simply replacing one Republican voice with another.
Most people don’t realize when you sign on with a national party you are that party. If you join the Democratic Party you are a Democrat and cannot be a Republican regardless of how much you want to appear like one. It’s just like when you take on a bride you take on her family. Democrats join a party with members like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton and John Edwards. Democrats can no more be Republicans than donkeys can be elephants! However, it will be interesting to see if the Democrats have Obama signs on their lawns.
This is how it works in the Utah Legislature. Elected Utah County Democrats will have to close ranks with other much more liberal Democrats to have a voice, a seat at the table and to get things done. Democrats need every vote they can scrape up to get anything passed. Utah County Democrats will find their counterparts more prone to following the national party agenda. The dilemma is can Utah County Democrats support the party’s agenda or must they defect weakening party vote. In a recent vote honoring the life and contribution of Gordon B. Hinckley some liberal Democrats walked out on the vote. I don’t think Utah County Democrats can support this kind of behavior so they will likely defect weakening their vote count on their legislative agenda.
This poses the questions: Why elect Utah County Democrats with Republican ideals? Why replace incumbent Republicans with seniority with freshman Democrats that walk a fine line with Democratic leadership because of their Republican values? It doesn't make sense. Utah County needs its legislative team to be strong, together and tenured to get things accomplished for Utah County.

P.S. Mr. Bernick talks about possible Utah Democrat wins but he doesn't mention possible Republican wins over Democrats. I think there are at least 3 seats held by Democrats up for grabs.

FrontRunner is coming to Utah Valley!

2008-08-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today I attended the "track breaking" for construction of the new FrontRunner commuter rail coming to Utah Valley. This is a dream come true. The original plan was to have FrontRunner operating prior to I-15 Reconstruction to alleviate gridlock. However, the legislature (Utah County legislators)has been successful in moving up the construction timetable to 2011 so unfortunately - but fortunately - we will be working on commuter rail and I-15 simultaneously. We anticipate commuter rail to be up and running before I-15 is completed which will help. Thanks to the Utah Legislature for funding this vital project and thanks to Utah County citizens for taxing themselves to make it happen. This is a monumental day and a great step forward for Utah county and its growth and economic development.

A side note: We are grateful to have Larry Miller on the mend. Most of us will never know the magnitude of giving Larry has made to this state and its citizens. We love Larry because he is honest and says it the way it is regardless of political party!

How Blessed We Are

2008-08-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

As I read the newspaper this morning I am prompted to think how blessed we are to live in a state and district where our lifestyle reflects our philosophy of life. While we may have disagreements in how we support and protect this lifestyle the end result is we are blessed where we live. While we will never be immune to problems, tragedies and disasters, as long as we stand together as one - regardless of our political philosophy and persuasion - we will withstand the storms!

I hope you enjoyed the beauty, pageantry and spirit of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony as I did - God bless America!

Visit My Website

2008-08-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

Be sure and visit my website stephendclark.com and find out about me, the legislative work I have done and the positions I am taking.

Representative Stephen D. Clark

2008-08-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is my new blog for speedy response to questions, concerns and dialog. This blog will be tied to my web site, stephendclark.com. I hope you enjoy this information service.