Issue: Business
Date: April 13, 2004
Author: Ken Larsen

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QUESTION #2

Fostering new businesses in Utah and encouraging established businesses to relocate to Utah is important to a vibrant local economy, as it provides jobs and increases the tax base. As Governor, what specific efforts will you make to create a climate that is conducive to business growth and friendly to businesses thinking of relocating? Are you in favor of the recently created Fund of Funds? Do you favor tax breaks for businesses relocating to Utah? How can job growth be encouraged in areas outside the Wasatch Front?

Tom Gregory
Contributing Editor, UtahPolitics.org

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RESPONSE #2

Business in Utah:

As Governor, the best thing I will do to make Utah a business-friendly state is to do everything I can to get government out of the way of business. Reducing and eliminating government programs that violate the Constitution, such as using taxpayer's money to hustle new business, would allow for reductions in taxation on Utah business. Reducing and eliminating unnecessary permits, licenses and other regulations that strangle free enterprise, would open the way for new business, especially Utah-created business.

I do not favor special tax breaks for special entities.

I will focus on my oath of office which will require me to protect the lives, liberties, harmless pursuits of happiness and other rights of individuals within the State. As I said during my 1996 campaign, I believe an atmosphere of less government, lower taxes and more freedom will do more to help local business and encourage business "immigration" into our State than any special, business-favoritism, program that might be heaped on the pile of excess government already choking this State.

The best way to encourage job growth outside the Wasatch Front is to establish Utah ownership of Utah. Right now most of the area outside the Wasatch Front is owned by the Federal Government. They have no constitutional authority to control that land and it should belong to Utah. Then, intelligent state management could reap an economic boom as Utah discovers its treasures. I believe in seeking a peaceful way to satisfy the multiple interests in our unoccupied territories, without violating the environment.

Thank you,

Ken Larsen, Personal Choice candidate for Governor