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Brian King
Candidate for: State House of Representatives, District 28
Political Party: Democratic
Birth Date: August 19, 1959
Birth Place: Murray, Utah
Current City of Residence: Salt Lake City
Family Members: my wife, Alison, and four daughters: Alexandra, Jocelyn, Olivia and Sophia
Current Occupation: Attorney
Education: BS in Economics from the University of Utah, 1982; J.D., University of Utah, 1985
Hobbies/Interests: reading and travel
- Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for office. What compels you
to take on this responsibility?
This is a critical time in the history of our country and state. I believe I can make a
significant, positive contribution to our state government as a representative for District 28.
Our legislature needs a different perspective, one that provides greater priority for the values the
Democratic party brings to the legislative table. The imbalance that exists in the legislature
between Democrats and Republicans has led to a feeling on the part of conservative Republicans
that they can ignore not only Democrats but the moderates within their own party. As a result,
the legislature passes bills that do not reflect the will of the citizens. Bringing greater balance to
the legislature will promote better law and public policy in Utah.
- What do you consider to be the top three issues currently facing Utah? Please list them in
order of priority to you (with #1 the most important) and explain why they are important to you
and to Utah.
First, our State needs to develop a long term commitment to, and infrastructure for,
delivering high quality public education. Utah’s hopes for attracting business and maintaining
good jobs depend on it; strong economic growth is directly tied to the quality of our public
education. District 28 has a long history of close association with the University of Utah.
Strengthening that institution and other higher education programs in Utah is key to ensuring
continued future economic growth. While the state has, commendably, demonstrated a
commitment to physical infrastructure projects such as freeway reconstruction, TRAX and the
Front Runner rail system, a permanent commitment to the foundational infrastructure of our
public education system is lagging behind. Vouchers are not the answer. We need to commit
greater financial resources to reduce class sizes and increase teacher pay. We also need to put in
place standards that allow us to attract and retain high quality teachers.
Second, we need to protect our environment. We have unique beauty in Utah but those
natural resources bring singular challenges. Improving the air quality along the Wasatch front is
basic to good health as well as an aesthetic priority. We must temper property development with
reasonable measures to protect our canyons and open spaces. Intelligent and creative tax
policies and incentives can encourage individuals and businesses to engage in greener practices.
We can also implement tax policies and incentives to encourage use of solar, wind, geothermal
and clean coal resources. Utah can be a leader in reducing our debilitating dependence on
foreign oil.
Third, everyone benefits when all Utahns have access to basic healthcare. We can
implement incentives and mandates for individuals to join together and purchase low-cost health
insurance, expand access to preventative care, reduce the ability of insurers to deny coverage for
pre-existing conditions and lower the cost of prescription drugs. We can implement tax credits
and subsidies as part of the Utah state tax structure as well as restrict the ability of insurers to
deny coverage for individuals with poor medical histories.
- What do you plan to do to address your top three issues?
See the responses to question number 2.
- What are your most important accomplishments that would make you the most qualified
candidate for office?
Alison and I have lived in District 28 for 22 years. We are Utah natives and know the
needs and challenges of our area. As an attorney, for over 15 years I’ve represented individuals
whose health, life and disability claims have been denied. As a member of the Board of
Governors and current President of the Utah Association for Justice, I have acted as a volunteer
lobbyist for a number of years at the legislature. I have hands on experience reading and
analyzing bills dealing with issues that impact Utah’s citizens and I know how to negotiate with
other interest groups about proposed legislation.
In addition, as a small business owner, operating my law firm with about half a dozen
employees, I understand what it means to be concerned with the bottom line, making a payroll
twice a month, and covering the costs associated with state and local taxes. I’m committed to
ethical and honest representation of the residents of the district.
- What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective
office holder?
See the response to question number 4. In addition, as an attorney, I have successfully
worked with many parties and opposing counsel dealing with hotly contested factual and legal
issues. I’ve generally been able to maintain cordial relationships with opposing counsel. I
believe I can work effectively across party lines to get things done in a productive way.
- Why do you belong to your political party?
While I find much to agree with in the political platforms of the two major parties (and
some things I disagree with in each of the platforms), the values of the Democratic party are
more compatible with my ethical, moral and religious beliefs. I believe a voice for those values
is urgently needed at this time in Utah. It is not much of an overstatement to say that after 30
years of Republican domination at the state legislature, the greatest portion of those reasonable
concerns of Republican interest groups have already been realized. It’s time for the pendulum to
swing back in the direction of community values and policies that more effectively address the
needs of our youth, our aged, our disabled and those who are struggling just to make ends meet. |
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