Scott Howell's answer's to Deseret News survey questions.
1) What do you believe is the major issue in your race? How would you address it?
This race comes down to one thing: providing real representation to the people of Utah. I want every voter in Utah to think about the problems they face and what is their senator doing to help. I offer voters legitimate representation in the Senate.
2) Why should people vote for you Nov. 7 instead of your opponent?
As a Utah State Senator, I have spent the last 10 years addressing the problems of our state. I have fought to make taxes fair, to ensure that Utah's children receive a world-class education, and to facilitate Utah's leadership role in the new economy. If Orrin Hatch's 24 years in the Senate are any indication, he feels no urgency to reduce the size of government, make taxes fair, or to put government back on the side of the people.
3) Specifically detail your stands on federal gun control. Do you support the Brady Bill? Do you support background checks at gun shows? The guns-in-schools initiative petition will not be on the 2000 Utah ballot. Still, do you support or oppose the petition?
I am a gun owner. In the Utah State Senate, I voted in favor of concealed weapon permits. I am opposed to the registration of firearms. Our society has deemed that certain steps are necessary to ensure the responsible use of guns. With the exception of duly authorized law enforcement officers, it makes sense that guns should be kept from our schools and churches. Other common sense measures aimed at keeping guns out of the wrong hands, such as the Brady Bill and background checks at gun shows, deserve support.
4) What steps should be taken to end the decades of debate over how much Utah wilderness to protect? How much wilderness do you support? Do you tend to side more with environmentalists, or more with ranchers miners and those who want more open recreational uses?
The final solution to Utah's Wilderness debate can only be facilitated by those who are willing to work with all interested parties to find an answer that ensures the multi-use of Utah's lands. Picking sides between the environmentalists and the ranchers, miners, and recreational users will only prove inflammatory in the already explosive debate.
5) What, if any, type of campaign finance reform do you support. Please be specific. For example, do you favor or oppose the McCain-Feingold bill?
I am in favor of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. I am in favor of placing a ban on all soft dollars. I don't want the money from special interests to tell me how to vote. The current system gives special interests the greatest power in determining legislation and regulations. We need to move toward voluntary public financing of all general elections and encourage broadcasters to donate television time to candidates.
6) As the federal budegt surplus grows, what specifically should be done with it?
The paying off of our national debt must be the first priority. This would increase future surpluses significantly. Fiscal discipline will become a self-sustaining good habit over time. Second, it will encourage economic growth by reducing the demand for capital and lowering interest rates. Third, it will help stave off the insolvency of Social Security and Medicare.
7) What criteria should be used in appointing a federal judge? Can you give a couple of examples of good appointments and poor appointments?
Two criteria are essential in choosing qualified federal judges: strong moral fiber and professional competence. Orrin Hatch currently sits on the appointment of thirty-two federal judges, using them to gain political leverage while our legal system remains strapped for resources. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist criticized Hatch's politicization of judicial appointments as destructive to America's legal system.
8) Why do we need a constitutional amendment on desecration of the flag?
The flag is certainly our nation's most powerful and revered symbol. However, such an amendment should be defeated. The passage of this amendment would do nothing more than strike at the very freedoms our flag represents.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: As part of the Deseret News survey of candidates, each person seeking public office is allowed one question of their opponent. Orrin Hatch campaign staffers point out their question was based on research conducted last winter, when Scott Howell was campaign chairman for the Al Gore for President Campaign. Howell has since stepped down as Gore's campaign Utah campaign. Here is Orrin Hatch's question of Scott Howell:)
As the Utah Chairman of the Al Gore for President campaign, can you tell us why Utahns should vote for a candidate for president who attempted to transfer the 15,000 Utah jobs at Hill Air Force Base out of Utah and help create a national monumnet locking up a large portion of Utah land without any consultation with Utah citizens whose very lives were impacted by this decision?"
If you had researched the facts (in which you have shown no interest), you would know that I am not the Utah chairman of Al Gore's presidential campaign. Mr. Hatch, this question demonstrates your endless need to play partisan politics. Orrin, you are not running against Bill Clinton or Al Gore any more than I'm running against George W. Bush. You are running against Scott Howell: the only native Utahn in this race.