Utahns focus on economy

As the new Congress is sworn into office on Tuesday, Utah's members say repairing the economy is their top priority.

But they are also ready to push for energy and tax reform and to rewrite the "No Child Left Behind" education law they say hurts Utah. They also appear ready to fight among themselves over items such as giving Washington, D.C., a House vote (and giving Utah a fourth House seat at the same time), and whether to ban import of foreign radioactive waste to Utah.

"I think the top issue that Congress will address is the performance of the economy, to try to jump-start it and get it back on the path of economic growth," said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, similarly said, "The 111th Congress is faced with the tough task of helping restore confidence in our markets and getting the economy going again — without saddling future generations with trillions of dollars of debt."

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to begin lobbying the new Congress immediately for an economic stimulus package that would include, at its core, funding state and local government projects for roads, bridges and more that are already designed and ready to go. Most Utah members give that idea qualified support.

"The biggest issue is what they add to it," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah. "It is one thing to provide new jobs and infrastructure needs. I think there is a legitimate need for that. In the past, though, (House) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid have added little social goodies" to such bills, so Bishop would not support them because of the add-ons.

Matheson said, "I think that it is good public policy to implement an economic stimulus package that is focused on public works projects." He added, "I've heard that the Obama administration does not want any individual projects or earmarks in the stimulus package. I think that would be a good idea to keep those out and have the federal Department of Transportation work with state departments of transportation to look a projects that are highest priority and ready to go."

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said he will "do what I can to see that appropriate levels of transportation funding are available to the state." He adds, "Once the current recession is over, the pressure on the federal deficit coming from entitlements will still be growing. Reforming health care, fixing social security and addressing the energy crisis are among my top priorities."

Rep.-elect Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said among the first things he will do after he is sworn in Tuesday is co-sponsor a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget. "Fiscal discipline is my No. 1 priority," he said.