Indeed, while states like Nevada, with 87 percent public land ownership, have mobilized funds to protect their open space, Utah has continued to reduce its funding. Nevada recently passed a $200 million general obligation bond to preserve agricultural lands, habitat, and other critical open space. In contrast, during the 2003 legislative session, the Utah legislature reduced funding for open space acquisition to $450,000. During the 2004 legislative session, the legislative leadership again scuttled open space funding. Cutting state funds committed to open space preservation is expected to result in a loss of $16 million in federal matching funds to preserve critical farmlands.

I agree with a recent Deseret Morning News editorial that supported this measure:

"Imagine what Salt Lake City would be like today if early leaders hadn't set aside enough open space to create Liberty Park. Now imagine what the future would be like if people today don't protect the banks of the Jordan River, create new parks, protect wildlife and preserve cultural and historic landmarks . . . . (F)armland is giving way quickly to a bumper crop of asphalt and concrete. The time is here to either save (open space) or lose it. . . . "

Clearly, Utahns agree as well. Polls show that up to 88 percent of Utah residents think that "conserving open space plays a very important role in preserving Utah's quality of life."

As governor, I will support the efforts of the Quality Growth Commission to protect open space. The longer we wait to implement open space protection, the more difficult it will be to find open space to protect.

To view my detailed growth plan, entitled "We Can Do Better: A Pledge to Quality Growth and Efficient Transportation," please visit my Web site at www.mathesonforgovernor.com.

17. Do you favor or oppose hate-crime legislation? If yes, do you favor classifications of victims, and if so, do you specifically favor higher penalties for those who attack homosexuals because of their sexual orientation?

I favor hate-crime legislation that punishes crimes motivated by bias or prejudice against a victim's race, color, gender, disability, age, nationality, ancestry, sexual orientation, or religion. This legislation has also been supported by the editorial boards of the Deseret News and other newspapers, KSL television and radio, our Attorney General, the Utah Sentencing Commission, and many others.

18. As it stands now, citizens with concealed weapons permits may legally take their guns into public schools. Do you favor or oppose the current practice?

I support the rights protected under the Second Amendment and under the Utah Constitutional provision on the right to bear arms. Like other important rights, there are appropriate times and places for their exercise. For example, we do not generally allow guns in airports or courts, and I support similar limitations on having guns in schools or churches. Otherwise, I support law-abiding citizens having the right to own and carry firearms provided they have obtained appropriate permits.