District 28 candidates disagree on 'status quo'

The biggest difference that emerged Tuesday between the two major-party candidates seeking the House District 28 seat in the Utah Legislature was their political affiliation.

Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, and Republican challenger Thomas Wright agreed on a number of issues during a debate at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, including the need for more openness on Capitol Hill.

But Wright, a Realtor who described himself as a moderate, said he could offer voters in the east-side district that includes the U. something the incumbent couldn't — access to the majority party that controls the Legislature.

Calling the Legislature a "one-party affair, for better or worse," Wright told a mostly student audience he planned "to be a moderate Republican who sits at the majority table. ... It's important not to try to change the status quo, but to fit in and get things done."

For example, Wright said he would not push to open GOP caucus meetings even though he agreed they should not be closed to the public when lawmakers consider what positions to take on controversial issues.

Wright did say he wouldn't be shy about expressing his views in those meetings, including his support for campaign reform. "We do need to take money out of politics. There's no questions about it," he said.

But McGee, who has served in the Legislature since 2003, said she was not satisfied with the status quo and was willing to work for change. "I'm willing to risk dissent. I'm not a go-along to get-along person."

Democrats in the Legislature, she told the audience, keep their caucus meetings open. As House Minority Caucus Manager, McGee said there have been times when discussing political strategy in public is a challenge. "But we've found a way to do that," she said.

McGee, who retired as head of the advocacy group Utah Children in 2001, said she can offer the district both time and experience. Her opponent, McGee said, "is part of the party that does public business behind closed doors."

Both candidates said they opposed the $78 million income-tax cut and reform package approved by lawmakers last week in a special session. McGee said the so-called "dual-track" system, which allows taxpayers to choose to pay a flat rate, is not true reform.

And Wright said had he been in office, he would have voted against the tax package just as McGee did because most of the tax cut went to the wealthy. He also said he opposed the Legislature's decision to let local governments raise sales taxes for transportation projects.

The biggest disagreement between the two candidates seemed to be over their campaign fund-raising efforts. McGee has more than $26,000, according to the most recent candidate disclosure, while Wright has collected nearly $32,000.

McGee said most of her money is coming from individual contributors while Wright is depending more on special-interest groups. Wright said the majority of McGee's money is coming from out of state.

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com