We Did It - Thanks to Your Support

Jim Matheson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:59:55 -0500

Thank you, Utah 2^nd District voters. You have again given me the privilege of representing you in Congress. I am proud and grateful.

Once again, we have the opportunity to take Utah's agenda and Utah's voice to Washington. These are challenging times for our economy and our security. We have our work cut out for us. But we have already made a great deal of progress - I am optimistic about the future.

The outcome of this election gives me hope that a new bipartisan era may be dawning. I've always believed that if it's a good idea, it doesn't matter which party proposes it. What matters is listening to people and working together to achieve results.

I am as motivated as ever to make that happen. Your trust in me-shown in the election results-gives me new energy to do continue doing my part towards building a bright future and, as always, putting Utah first. Click on the link below to view Utah Election Results:

http://www.elections.utah.gov/

Countdown to Victory

Jim Matheson — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:49:00 -0400

Saturday Nov. 1^st - It's the final push to get supporters to the polls. Dozens of excited volunteers rally, ready to go door-to-door, carrying information on where to vote.

I was so happy to be joined by Mayor Peter Corroon who has represented the people of Salt Lake County with integrity and with dignity. The Mayor of Alta, several Utah legislators and some legislative candidates were part of the team.

What happens at the ballot box Tuesday is all that counts. The effort now is to get every possible vote. Everything you do at this stage of the race counts. I know we can generate even a few more votes that wouldn't have come out otherwise. This is grassroots politics at its best.

I'm proud of my campaign and the work that's been done. We have a few more days until hopefully we will all celebrate a renewed opportunity to put Utah first.

Whose Side is My Opponent On?

Jim Matheson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:08:31 -0400

Utahns have said loud and clear they don't want to be the dumping ground, or the transit route or the "downwind" graveyard for nuclear waste, spent nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons testing. Enough is enough.

I was dumbfounded when, during last night's Conversation with the Candidates on KSL 5 hosted by Bruce Lindsay, my opponent said the following about bringing foreign nuclear waste to Utah:

" I have no problem with them bringing it here and storing it here. What they want to do is bring it to the US and recycle it and then sell most of it to Japan. I have no problem with 'em recycling it and selling this waste to Japan."

My opponent doesn't understand the facts. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which sets policy for handling and disposing of radioactive waste, says even low-level radioactive waste is dangerous for 100 years. There is no "recycling" of nuclear waste in this country. In spite of overwhelming opposition from Utahn citizens, the company that operates the low level radioactive waste site in Tooele County has been quietly taking waste from foreign countries-in small amounts-for years. Utah doesn't want it; the 8-state compact overseeing waste disposal in the West doesn't want it. The company is suing everyone involved to try to get its way. I'm fighting to pass federal legislation that says no to foreign countries trying to unload their nuclear garbage on this country. Importing foreign radioactive waste is bad public policy. But my opponent just doesn't get it.

Elections matter. Whom you vote for when it comes to Utah's future matters. There's a clear difference between me and my opponent. I'm putting the health and safety and economic prosperity of Utah first, not the needs of foreign countries.

No Time for Complacency

Jim Matheson — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:47:18 -0400

It's the political homestretch. Everywhere I go, people are engaged this year. They are paying attention and they are taking their vote seriously.

Locally, early voting is a huge success. Record numbers of Utahns have already gone to the polls.

The backdrop is that we face some challenging times. Our economy is struggling. We have complicated issues such as energy policy, health care and a widening federal debt.

If you have cast your vote already, thank you.

If you still need information or have questions, check out the Issues section of my website, or watch the KUED Channel 7 Conversation with the Candidates on Friday night at 7:30 pm or see the rebroadcast on Sunday at 11:30 am

My campaign's final push to get folks to the polls will be held this Saturday. Check the Events section of this website for details.

As always, your support and your participation in the process means a lot to me. I take nothing for granted and I work hard for every vote. We've always run and won-together. That's how it should be.

Any Port in a Storm

Jim Matheson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:37:15 -0400

It's been a week of challenging economic news. People are losing jobs, homes and retirement savings. There's no question our economy is facing difficult times. It will take time to recover.

Are there any bright spots? I think so and let me tell you why. I spent time with three distinctly different Salt Lake County entities this week.

First, I toured a newly-built church center-The Episcopal Diocese of Utah-that has stepped up to and is meeting the energy conservation challenge. The downtown Salt Lake structure uses on-the-shelf technology to save significant amounts of electricity, water and raw materials. Its design and construction allows for heating and cooling 25,450 square feet at a fraction of the cost of regular buildings.

Then I visited Rio Tinto's Kennecott Mine, where company officials showed me an innovative combined heat and power process. The company is investing hundreds of millions of dollars and in return will cut energy costs, bring jobs back here from Mexico and South America and create new jobs.

Finally, I attended the grand re-opening for a local business - Nicholas & Company. This classic American success story features a food distribution firm-started by a Greek immigrant 70 years ago-that found success through hard work, dedicated employees and customer service. It is able to expand, even in the face of a recession.

It gives you hope that hard work, ingenuity and innovation will get us through the economic storm.

We Have Lift-off for New Airport

Jim Matheson — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:54:06 -0400

Friday, Oct. 17 is going to be a great day in St. George. I'll be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $190 million airport. What has been 12 years in the making has now moved from dream, to drawing board to reality.

City leaders have known for years that the existing airport was inadequate. The mesa-top property precluded any on-site expansion to serve the fast-growing community. A new location that met federal design standards and a larger jet fleet had to be developed.

Before I was even elected to represent Washington County in 2002, I heard a great deal about the proposed airport, particularly the problems in gaining approval for the new site. An initial environmental assessment by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2001 was ruled inadequate. In the spring of 2003 a more rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process began. In close consultation with local officials, I held the FAA's feet to the fire, insisting that a transparent, open, rigorous but timely process be followed. By September of 2006, I was able to watch as Mayor Dan McArthur accepted a check for $17.2 million from the FAA administrator.

With its growing population and world-renowned recreational opportunities, St. George will be a magnet for thousands of new residents and visitors alike over the next decade. Air travel will be safe, convenient and more efficient with the new airport. It shows how-over the long term-it makes sense for the federal government to invest in infrastructure that complements economic development and quality of life goals adopted by local residents and elected officials. It's not an economic "fix" for the current situation, but it's certainly a far-sighted answer for supporting and sustaining future economic prosperity.

Financial Bailout Plan?

Jim Matheson — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:52:55 -0400

I listened to President Bush try to rally the public Wednesday night on the financial crisis that threatens our economy. The questions that I have been asking since the Treasury Secretary came to Congress with a proposed bailout plan persist. Where in the plan is the assurance that taxpayers' $700 billion will be protected? Will they eventually recoup the money and-best case scenario-make a profit?

Can anyone tell us who is keeping an eye on the program that will purchase this bad debt now on banks' books? I don't trust a proposal to give the Treasury Secretary complete authority over the money with no independent oversight.

Economists agree we should do something, but the experts are divided over whether or not this $700 billion bailout plan will actually work. That's why I continue to raise questions and look for more evidence before committing the taxpayers to such an enormous price tag.

Energy Bill Leadership

NGP Admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:04:40 -0400

What some call the number one issue in the drive towards eventual independence from foreign oil- saw progress this week in Congress. We need to tap more domestic supplies of oil and natural gas. I added a provision to the House's version of an energy bill that lifts the moratorium on commercial leasing of oil shale in Utah, contingent upon existing environmental reviews.

Coastal states will now get to decide whether to permit oil and natural gas drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf. This ends a moratorium that was put in place by the first President Bush. While no one expects an immediate drop in gasoline prices, it's an important move towards producing as much domestic supply as possible, so that we lessen the amount we're forced to import.

I've long been an advocate for more domestic production. After working in our districts during August, many of us returned to the Capitol, armed with overwhelming constituent support for such a move. I know that message-carried by me and by others-got through loud and clear.

While this is a good first step, I believe it's only a first step. I think we need to study expansion of nuclear plants, push ahead with investment in alternative fuels and fund more basic research into the breakthrough technology we ultimately need to get this country free from its foreign oil addiction. I'm encouraged by the progress made this week. I used to work in the energy business and I know how important it is to take a comprehensive approach to deal with this very complex issue.

August in Utah

Jim Matheson — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:08:18 -0400

Fall brings back-to-school, football and a heightened attention to political campaigns. There's no question people are energized and engaged this year. Having just spent weeks working in Utah, I've received incredibly valuable feedback. Whether it was listening to dairymen in Midway, or to the health science educators at Dixie College, or to small business owners in Salt Lake, I heard similar concerns: folks are anxious about energy and food prices and what's happening with the economy. They want to talk about solutions. Many Utahns agree with me that we need a comprehensive plan to ultimately end our dependence on foreign oil, including more domestic production, more energy efficiency and more development of alternative energy. To date, Utah's economy has not suffered as much as some other states. But because energy costs affect every aspect of our personal budgets and the balance sheet of every business, we all feel the pain.

American ingenuity and innovation has always triumphed over past challenges. I was encouraged by the examples I saw of that here. Whether it's the UPS drivers I talked to who use computer technology to drive the shortest route, or the engineers busy designing applications for energy-efficient light bulbs, or carbon-capture experiments underway in coal country, important things are happening in our state.

For me, political campaigns should be a dialogue between the voters and the candidate. My time here in Utah these past weeks-as it always does-- gave me the opportunity to engage in that dialogue. I've always said that it's very important for members of Congress to spend as much time as possible in their home state listening to constituents. I have worked hard to maintain that dialogue with my constituents and it has made me a better congressman. It's the best way for me to make sure I can effectively take action on Utah's agenda.

Welcome!

Jim Matheson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:13:20 -0400

Welcome to my new and improved campaign website. I hope you'll check in here frequently for updates on the issues I'm talking about during this campaign season. From the economy, to energy prices, to health care, there's no shortage of important topics to be discussed. As you log on to this site, please send me feedback about what you like and what could be improved. I'm always interested in hearing from Utahns and there is no substitute for that personal contact. It's a privilege for me to work on your behalf. Thank you for all your past support. I look forward to hearing from you and to responding in my campaign blog and at campaign events.