Mac on the Issues
Technology
Located right in the heart of Silicone Slopes, our Senate District 22 is a driving force behind Utah's thriving economy, with technology at its core. As emerging technologies continue to soar with boundless potential, they also carry substantial risks. It is imperative that we proactively implement effective technology policies that not only protect our citizens but also ensure we reap the full benefits of new innovation.
- “Utah’s engineering and computer science workforce generates $19.1 billion and represents 12-15% of the state’s economy.” (New report reveals trends in Utah’s booming tech industry)
- Mac has 35 years of experience as a Technology Professional
- He has leveraged technology to enhance government efficiency while safeguarding personal liberties
- No current member of the Utah State Senate is a Technology Professional.
The digital revolution is permeating all facets of our lives, including our state government. Issues such as Artificial Intelligence, digital driver’s licenses, public databases, facial recognition, and many others are rapidly becoming central concerns for lawmakers. It is imperative that we elect officials who possess a keen grasp of technology and also uphold constitutional principles in government, all the while improving the lives and safeguarding the privacy of our citizens.
Growth
As a concerned citizen, I've keenly observed the challenges arising from the rapid expansion of our district. It's clear that the increasing traffic congestion and surging property prices are impacting us all. What we truly need is a well-balanced approach to growth – one that respects property rights, addresses our infrastructure needs to accommodate our growing community, and ensures that our local economy continues to thrive. It's essential for us to work together to achieve this vision for our district's future.
- Utah Was Fastest-Growing State From 2010 to 2020
- Rising population puts additional burden on our public infrastructure
- Growth is a primary cause of the dramatic increase in housing costs
- Must have a long-term focus or we’ll never catch up
It comes as no surprise that Utah is experiencing substantial growth, and here in northern Utah County, we’re particularly feeling its effects. Our county witnessed an astonishing 28% population increase between 2010 and 2020. Without diligent foresight and planning, this growth could overwhelm us.
The development of public infrastructure comes with a hefty price tag. The construction and maintenance of roads, water systems, sewage facilities, and other public utilities constitute a significant portion of state and local budgets. Utah County’s unprecedented growth places immense strain on these essential services, creating compounding challenges.
It is of utmost importance that we galvanize our local stakeholders, including our state house representatives, city mayors, city councils, and the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), around a shared set of priorities. This concerted effort will enable us to optimize our chances of securing top positions on the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) project list.
Mac has personally felt the changes within our community, having lived in Utah County for 24 years. He is dedicated to ensuring that managing growth becomes a central focus of his agenda as your state senator.
Education
Our children represent the future, and it's imperative that we equip them with the tools they need to thrive and make positive contributions to society. Education consumes a substantial portion of the state budget, and it is the legislature's duty to oversee the prudent allocation of these funds to achieve the best possible results.
- Parents have the moral responsibility to educate their children, and should be the primary decision makers about how they are educated
- All parents should have a wide range of options to educate their children
- Public schools should focus on politically neutral, core education
- Sexually-explicit content has no place in public schools and libraries
- Mac served on a charter school board for nearly 7 years
- His wife, KayLynn, is a 3rd grade public school teacher in Saratoga Springs
The Utah Republican Party Platform states, “Parents have the primary right and responsibility to educate their children, and we support their right to choose public, private, or home education.” Mac fully affirms this pillar of our shared Republican beliefs.
In recent years, the Utah Legislature has enacted several school choice bills, simplifying access and funding for parents seeking alternative education options for their children outside the traditional public school system. Mac is a proponent of these alternative pathways, which enable children to receive an education customized to their unique needs.
Elections
At the heart of our republic lies the fundamental importance of fair, accurate, and transparent elections. These elections serve as a vital safeguard against tyranny. With trust in our electoral processes currently at an all-time low, it is essential that we implement reforms to ensure voters have unwavering confidence that their ballots have been accurately and properly tallied.
Mac supports measures that ensure the accuracy and integrity of our elections, such as voter identification requirements, uniquely identified ballots, opt-in for mail-in ballots, transparent ballot counting procedures, and the ability for the public to audit the election results. He believes that these measures are essential to prevent fraud and maintain confidence in our electoral system.
Liberty
Liberty is the bedrock upon which our nation was founded. It embodies the belief that individuals should have the freedom to pursue their dreams and aspirations without undue government interference. We champion limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of individual rights as essential elements of a prosperous and free society. It is the driving force behind innovation, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility, and Mac will work to preserve and uphold these principles to ensure that future generations can enjoy the blessings of liberty and self-determination.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Few words in human history have had a greater impact on human freedom. The Founding Fathers were wise and enlightened men who created a system of government based on proven principles. Studying, understanding, and implementing these principles is one of the best ways to improve government.
The U.S. national debt has tripled since just 2008 to more than thirty-trillion dollars. Additionally, national deficits are expected to grow in coming years to unsustainable levels. The federal government has proven that it is wholly inadequate to be good stewards of your tax dollars. On the other hand, Utah has proven itself to be a shining city on a hill. We are the best run state in the nation. Mac will use his tech skills and continue to find new ways to create innovative, effective, cost-efficient government.
The Utah Republican Party Platform is a guide to implementing the principles described in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence into actionable policy. Our Platform should be the key document that unites us as Republicans. Mac will use our shared Platform when deciding votes on Utah’s Capitol Hill.
One of the greatest outcomes of the American experiment was the implementation of free markets. Modern economics has clearly proven that competition, supply & demand, and low regulation are the best ways to improve an economy and improve human flourishing. Mac will work to reduce government intervention in the marketplace.
Traditional Judeo-Christian Values are increasingly under attack. The basic tenets of honesty, hard work, morality, strong families and other crucial morals and values are under a seemingly endless barrage. Many of the greatest religious, business, and philosophical leaders throughout history have preached the importance of these values. Mac will fight to protect the ideals and values our community shares.
Thomas Jefferson said, “The government closest to the people serves the people best.” The federal government is way outside the scope of what the Founding Fathers intended. Many of the issues they now legislate would be better handled and solved at the state level. Utah will best be served by choosing its own destiny. Mac will work with our congressional delegation to advocate for local control.
More...
These are just a few other issues that are worth mentioning:
Mac firmly supports the idea of lower taxes and a simplified tax code. He believes that reducing tax burdens on both individuals and businesses is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. Lower taxes put more money in the hands of individuals and companies, allowing them to invest, spend, and save, thereby driving our economy forward. A fair, transparent, and efficient tax system is essential.
Mac is a staunch advocate for upholding and protecting the Second Amendment. He firmly believes that the right to bear arms is a fundamental constitutional right that should be preserved and defended. Mac recognizes that responsible gun ownership is an essential aspect of American heritage and individual liberty. He supports measures that respect the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for self-defense, sport, and hunting. He does not support red-flag laws that would strip an individual’s ability to protect themselves and their family without due process.
Mac is a strong advocate for law enforcement and public safety. He believes that our communities thrive when we have dedicated and well-supported law enforcement agencies that work to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
Mac recognizes the challenging and often dangerous nature of law enforcement work. He supports measures that prioritize the safety and well-being of our police officers, including adequate training, resources, and equipment to carry out their duties effectively.
At the same time, Mac emphasizes the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies. He believes in supporting policies that promote responsible policing and the protection of civil rights, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and justly under the law.