​I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC last week. The state legislators and county commissioners were invited to the White House to visit with elected officials and staff. What an amazing chance to talk with our national leaders about the needs, issues, and concerns in our state.
 
We had the opportunity to hear from the Vice President Mike Pence; Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee; and Congressmen Rob Bishop and John Curtis.  I was particularly impressed with our Vice President, and his humble plea that we pray for our great nation.
 
We met with the Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary. As a group, we discussed several key issues:

• Forest health in the state of Utah and targets for improving forest health.  The Forest Service fought 26,000 forest fires in 2016, fighting these fires taxed the budgets of both federal and state agencies.
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reforms, the USDA has been encouraging reforms to NEPA for many years. It is takes years of work to meet the qualifications set forth in the NEPA requirements to replace deteriorating infrastructure in the nation’s public lands. NEPA reforms will with over-burdensome requirements. We talked about their expectation and what will help the agency move forward.
• Congress just passed a farm bill with work requirements associated with the bill. Work requirements in the SNAP program aligns with what states have requested.

 
White House Deputy Directors of Senate Affairs talked with us about upcoming Senate bills: 

• Workforce amendments
•  Infrastructure and water resource measures that need to be funded.
•  President Trump’s ongoing pledge to increase access to rural broadband.
• Small business health insurance plans that will allow businesses to join together to get better health coverage plans.

 
The Department of Interior Deputy Director talked with us about a few issues as well:

• Returning law enforcement in the BLM to local jurisdictions. This will minimize conflicts between federal agencies and local law enforcement.
• The administration is exploring the possibility of moving the BLM Department Headquarters to the western states.  

 
Next up was the Department of Labor:

• Worker Visa Programs-as a state we are very concerned with the worker visa programs, the H2A and H2B visa are so complicated for worker and employers to navigate. This problem is being voiced by local governments across the county. If our worker visa program is too hard to comply with, it encourages illegal immigration.  

 
We also heard from the Trump Administration on the grants they are helping with in Utah. Throw in a personal tour of the US Capitol Building from Congressman John Curtis, and it was a very eventful two days in Washington. I am so impressed with our current administration for reaching out to our local and state government leaders to see what and where they can help us. I’m thankful that they are trying to listen to our voice, understand our needs, and help when and where possible.
 
This is just a quick summary, if you have questions, please reach out to me, I’m always happy to listen. Thanks again for your trust and support, my family and I so appreciate it. 

Hey there! Now that girls camp, a tonsillectomy, and a quick trip to DC are done, I've got a minute to share my thoughts. I apologize, my plan was to write this up last week, but other stuff took precedence in the campaign manager's life. Now that life is back on schedule, and Charli is on the mend, we are back to work.

As most of you know, Utah's primary election is tomorrow, June 26. Though it is too late to put your ballot in the mail, it is not too late to let your voice be heard. I encourage you to drop your ballot in a designated ballot box, or swing by your local county office and hand deliver it to your clerk. If you want the experience of personally casting your ballot, that is available at your county office as well. However you choose to vote, make sure your voice has a chance to be heard. 

Some of you may wonder if voting in a primary election really matters. Maybe you think that one big name, or that incumbent already has the election in the bag, so your vote isn't important, it won't change the outcome anyway. I'm here to tell you that just isn't true. A few years ago, I was up against that one big name, that incumbent who everyone knew. When all was said and done, nine votes made the difference. Believe me when I say your one vote matters. 

Maybe the political dynamic in your area has left a bad taste in your mouth, making you think that perhaps, not one of those guys is worth voting into office. Though politics can get heated, and passion may cause a candidate to speak or act in ways that may reflect badly on them in the heat of the moment, I have learned that most of us running for office are good men and women, who care about our communities, and want to help make them a better place to live. I encourage you to learn about each candidate, about their positions on the issues, find out what they value, what matters most to them. Listen to their ideas, what they want to see happen in your community, and how they will help make that happen. Then go and vote for the ones that most align with your values and views. 

No matter which party you identify with, or what values and issues matter most to you, I encourage you to vote, to share your voice, and let it be heard. I truly believe that voting is not just our privilege, but it is our duty and obligation. I echo the words of President Rutherford B. Hayes, "To vote is like the payment of a debt, a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible."
 
May we each hold that right, that privilege, that duty sacred. May we use our heads, and listen to our hearts, then go to the ballot and let our voices be heard. 

​Hello All! Just a quick update on what’s been happening the last few weeks. In case you wondered, your representatives don’t just lounge around and play while the session is out. We have interim work days and committee assignments that we fulfill all year long.
I have been asked to serve on two committees this summer:

• UDOT’s Road Usage Charge Committee

This committee looks at the road usage charge.  As the buying power of gas is diminished by new technology, efficiency, and fuels that are not taxed in the same pattern as petroleum, we need to protect the road tax which ensures quality and sound roads for a strong economy.  We will be looking at trials of tolls structures, charges for vehicle miles driven, and security of information collected.

• Transportation and Tax Review Task Force

On this committee, we looking for the best and most economic way to shift the road tax to a user-based or vehicle-miles driven system. The goal is to achieve a zero-net/zero-increase from the tax that is currently collected. 

• I will also serve on the Housing GAP Coalition

This coalition is studying the Housing Gap which is growing in our economy. This gap may be the biggest threat that Utah will face in the coming years. We need to understand why the cost of housing is rising so rapidly out of low to moderate income makers range of affordability. We have many instances in the state of more people renting instead of buying homes. This creates a huge problem, because a home is where most individual’s store their  wealth/assets for retirement.    
 
Along with that, I have assigned committee work for Political Subdivisions, Transportation, and Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations:

• Political Subdivision Committee

We have been working on Boundary Line Agreements, Local Ordinance Penalties, Political Subdivision Lien Authority, Park Safety, County Form of Government, Affordable Housing Set-Aside, Indigent Defense, Resort Community Infrastructure Costs, and Land Use Development and Management Act.

• Transportation Committee

Follow up on SB 136, Long-term Planning Projects, Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, Unmanned Air Traffic Management, Inland Port Development, Vehicle Registration freezes for unpaid parking tickets, Roadway Tolling, Advancements in Vehicle Emissions testing, and Roadway Safety.

• Executive Offices and Criminal Appropriation

We haven’t had a chance to meet yet this summer. 
 
Currently, I am also working on four bills for constituents within our district:

• Greenbelt Amendment, this bill will allow an individual to apply for a waiver if they are doing a conservation project on the property. 
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors on Boats with Cabins, this bill will require boats with sleeping cabins to have carbon monoxide detectors, preventing loss of life.
• Constables in Counties, we are working to clarify the rules that pertain to small rural counties.
• Home School Athletic Rules in Rural Utah

Last Thursday, Representative Tim Quinn and I had the opportunity to sit on a panel with other legislative candidates at a Gun Safety Townhall Meeting hosted by students from Park City High School. I was so impressed with Faith Staley, Adam Herbst, and Adam Hickey, the students who created the event. It was well organized, and the students and public who attended were respectful and thoughtful in their questions. There are many issues surrounding guns, our second amendment rights, and keeping our kids safe at school. While I firmly believe that our right to bear arms needs to be protected, I appreciate the concerns and worries of these students who want to be and feel safe at school. I applaud their efforts to be engaged in the discussion of possible solutions in a civil manner. You can read more about the Townhall here.
And on the Homefront:

• Our oldest daughter graduated from high school! Thankfully, Kim survived the day with just a few (happy) tears.
• Our youngest daughter decided that the best way to kick off summer was with a broken elbow. She will enjoy the next few weeks of summer in a sling.
• We celebrated Memorial Day with our local Veterans at a service at the Morgan County Courthouse. How thankful I am for those who have sacrificed (and for those who still do) for our safety, for our freedom, for our country. They truly have given more than we can ever repay, and I thank each one of our vets.

That about covers what’s been going on in my house for the last few weeks. I’ll check back in around the end of June. Until then, I thank you for the support you give my family. As always, if you have needs, questions or concerns, please contact me at votelogan53@gmail.com.  

Hello All! It's been a busy few months, and the blog has been neglected. As soon the session ends, the farming begins. Factor in calving, planting, a quick family trip, five county conventions, the state convention, shearing, and a campaign manager that's been focused on our first graduating daughter, and the blog was bound to fall by the wayside for a bit. Without further delay, here's what I've been up to since March:

• I had the opportunity to get to all five county conventions in District 53. I enjoyed meeting with the delegates and listening to the needs and concerns in their precincts. Kim was able to come with me to each convention. She says they definitely don't count as a date, even if they happen to be on her birthday.
• I was able to meet with Senate hopeful, Mitt Romney at a delegate meeting. I appreciated hearing his thoughts and views on how he can benefit our state by serving in the US Senate.
• I had the unique opportunity to attend the production of Hamilton at the George and Delores Eccles Theater with my daughter and two juniors from our district. It was an interesting take on the life of Alexander Hamilton, and I enjoyed it very much...though the kids may have liked the rapping more than I did. 
• I enjoyed attending the state Republican Convention. Though I wasn't able to meet with all of our district's delegates while there, I appreciate their time, effort, and diligence in the vetting process. The delegates are vital to the caucus and convention system, and I appreciate all they do.
• I was honored to attend Uintah Basin Tech's 2018 Graduation Ceremony. I want to congratulate the graduates, they have worked hard to gain an education. May their futures be bright and full of opportunities for continued learning and growth.

On the non-rep side of life, here's what been keeping my family and busy the last few months:

• We took a quick trip to Moab over Spring Break. What a joy it was to get away for a few days and just play together as a family. Kim was especially happy that the internet at the cabin we rented was almost non-existent, so she had our family's undivided attention.
• Farming, farming, and more farming. We calved in March, while planting the fields and crops as well. At the end of April, we brought the sheep home from Delta, and then we sheared, sheared, sheared. I am so grateful for the blessing of working with my brothers, father, and our children on this ranch.
• My amazing campaign manager took a few days off to attend BYU Women's Conference with her parents. Sadly, the car broke down while they were there, and I was called to rescue them. Thankfully, the trailer, car and family all made it safely home again.
•  High School Graduation!! Our oldest daughter, Madi, is just days away from this milestone. I am so proud of her, and all that she has accomplished so far. I can't wait to see what the future brings to her.

 That's about it, folks. As always, I am grateful for your continued support and trust in me. If you have any questions, needs, or concerns that I can help with, please contact me. 

Hello All! Representative Wilde here. It’s been a crazy forty-five days, and I want to share a few of the highlights with the voters of District 53. There was a little bit of drama, wheeling and dealing, and of course, some unexpected highs and lows thrown in just for fun. Without further ado, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of this session:
 
The Good

• Taxpayers

With a decrease in our income tax rate to 4.95%, taxpayers will save around $20 million. Add in $84 million in early payoffs on current building debts, and our wallets should be celebrating.

• Education System

The Legislature has upped the game on education, showing we are serious about our children’s future and opportunities for learning and growth. We increased the education budget by $300 million and increased the Weighted Pupil Unit as well. This will allow us to increase teacher salaries and provide more funding for teacher aides. This is a win for our students, teachers and parents.

• Suicide Prevention

Teen suicide is on the rise in Utah, and we are worried about our youth. The governor created a community task force to help combat this epidemic. To support those who may be struggling, the legislature approved the creation of a Statewide Suicide Hotline and passed a Medicaid Waiver for Mental Health issues to help those who are at risk who may not have the resources to get the help they so desperately need.

• Martha Hughes Cannon

A joint resolution to send Martha’s likeness to the US Capitol sailed through both the House and Senate. The first woman in the nation to be elected to the State Senate, Martha was an advocate for Women’s Rights and one of the first women to practice medicine in Utah. It was a privilege to honor her this legislative session.

• Winter Olympics

The House and Senate passed a concurrent resolution to explore the possibility of once again hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in the future. This opportunity will bring growth and tourism to our state, I was happy to support this venture.
 
The Bad

• Property Tax

The Legislature passed an increase in property tax. This will be accomplished by freezing the current tax rate for the next five years. I am not in favor of this measure, I feel that it is unfair to property owners in our state.

• The Plastic Bag Bill (aka The Bill Against Park City)

This bill would have prohibited municipalities and counties from creating legislation on the disposal of auxiliary containers (plastic bags, bottles or containers). I spoke against this bill on the Floor. I feel that we should let the municipalities and counties handle their own trash, in the way that works best for them. This bill didn’t pass, cities and counties can sleep easier, knowing their garbage is still in their own hands.

• Private Attorney General Doctrine

This bill would have allowed individuals to be compensated for attorney fees when they bring litigation against the state government. I voted against this one. I think it has the potential to bring about many frivolous lawsuits.

• Utah Lake Amendments

This bill allows for the creation of land peninsulas in Utah Lake that could then be used for more housing and building in that area. Two words: Algae Bloom.  This one passed the House and Senate, but not with my vote.
 
The Ugly

• Donald J Trump Highway

President Trump has done a lot of good things for our state in the short time that he has been president. I am grateful for the reduction of both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monuments. I just don’t think it’s time to name a highway after him.

• Election Laws

What a mess! With the Count My Vote and Keep My Voice Ballot Initiatives, the SCC’s new by-laws, and legislation aimed at fixing SB54 or making preemptive strikes against whatever happens next, candidates and voters alike are frustrated and confused. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the November Election.
 
There you have it folks, the ups and downs of the legislative session. Of course, this is just a tiny bit of what happened on the Hill. If you have questions on a bill I didn’t cover, or just want to know where I stand on any of the issues that face us every day, please contact me at loganwilde@le.utah.gov. I will get back to you as soon as I can. As always, my family and I are so very thankful for your continued support. Thank you for trusting me with your vote. I hope to see many of you at your upcoming county conventions. 

​We’ve had an exciting week on the Hill, with visits from both Mitt Romney and Mia Love. Mitt called for fair trade between the US and other countries. Congresswoman Love spoke to the House Majority Caucus, asking us to work on tax reform. There are several bills this session addressing this very issue.
As the session winds up, the bills are coming in fast and furious, and our Floor time has increased as we try to hear as many as possible before the closing bell rings on Thursday night. Here are just a few of interest this week:

• HB 457 Consumer Ticket Protection was presented by Representative Brad Wilson.  This bill enables you to sell a ticket that you have purchased from a vendor in the event you cannot attend the event. I voted in favor of this one, it passed the House, and is headed to the Senate.
• HB 416 Traffic Flow Amendment was presented by Representative Ken Ivory. This amendment would allow a person to run a red light in certain instances. It is meant to address intersections whose traffic lights do not have sensors to detect a car stopped at the light. The scope of this bill is very narrow, you would have to be stopped at a red light for a full 90 seconds, and there cannot be any visible cars or traffic in the area. This one is still being debated in the House, I am cautiously in favor.
• HB 241 Post Employment Restrictions presented by Representative Mike Schultz. This bill would not allow the media to require non-compete contracts for employees who earn less than $47,000/yearly. Currently, many employees of the news industry must leave the area when their contract ends, or they must find a new field of work to stay in Utah. I voted yes on this bill, which passed the House and on to the Senate.
• HCR 19 and HB 157 were presented by Representative Ken Ivory. This legislation speaks to the need for the Federal Government to pay its fair share on taxable land value in Utah. It will allow the state to ask for lost property taxes to be paid on public lands. I missed the vote for HCR19, but I voted in favor of HB157.
• HJR 18 Special Session of Legislators was presented by Representative Brad Wilson. This resolution asks that the legislature be given the power to call themselves into session in certain special circumstances. I voted in favor, and it passed the House.

Just four more days in the session! As always, I appreciate this opportunity you have given me. If you have questions, comments, or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me at loganwilde@le.utah.gov. Thanks!

It’s been a good week. The session is winding down, or gearing up for the last two weeks, depending on your point of view. Really quick, here are the highlights from week five:

• SCR13-presented by Senator Curt Bramble gave us the opportunity to honor Senator Orrin Hatch for all that he has accomplished serving as our US Senator for the past 40 years. The resolution passed both the Senate and the House unanimously.
• HB357-Evaluating Tax Revenue Foregone from Federally Controlled Lands was presented by Representative Ken Ivory. This bill will enable the state to evaluate federally controlled lands and help us to understand the tax loss associated with federal lands. Senator Mike Lee spoke in favor of this bill on the house floor. It passed the house unanimously. Although I missed the floor vote, I am in favor of this one.
• HB259-Moderate Income Housing was presented in the Political Subdivisions. I finally had the opportunity to introduce one of my bills this week. It passed through committee with broad support from both sides of the aisle. I’ll have the opportunity to present it on the House Floor sometime next week. Fingers crossed that it passes through the House and Senate with no troubles. For more info on HB259, see my first post of the session.
• HB379-Death Penalty Amendments is one to watch this session. It is being presented by Representative Gage Froerer, and will eliminate the death penalty in the State of Utah. I have received many emails and phone calls about this bill. Currently, I feel that the public is not ready to eliminate the death penalty. However, I feel the costs that are borne carrying out the death penalty are significant enough that we should examine the need for the death penalty.

I had the opportunity to arrange the prayer and pledge Thursday morning. We were honored to have Morgan County Veteran Colonel Steve Smith lead the pledge, and North Summit Seminary Council member Kyler Kershaw give the opening prayer.
I met with constituents from Summit County Tuesday evening for a quick legislative update. As always, it is so good to meet with you and hear your comments, questions, and concerns. I’m hoping to get out to Duchesne County this week. In the meantime, I thank you for your continued support, it means so much to my family. Please contact me at loganwilde@le.ut.gov with any concerns.

 I can’t believe we’re past the halfway point of the 2018 legislative session. It’s been a busy week on the Hill. Here’s a little of what went down the fourth week.

• HB175-comes to us from Representative Stratton. It has stalled in committee, but he is still working to bring it to the House Floor. This bill creates a regulatory committee that will oversee county, municipal and state administrative rules. I oppose this bill in it’s current form, because we already have this authority in our legislative committees. I do not believe we need to create more bureaucracy to offset work which should be done in our committees.
• SCR1-The resolution to send Martha Hughes Cannon to Washington has passed the Senate and House. A new statue will be commissioned and sent to the Hall of Statues in the US Capitol Building in 2020. I was proud to vote in favor of this amazing woman and all that she stands for.

​HB181-presented by Representative Marc Roberts, this bill allows for zero regulation on foods that are produced and sold from home-based businesses. Although I am in favor of less regulation on home-based businesses, I had to vote against this bill. I didn’t feel it accomplished what the sponsor intended, and it created gray areas. Without this bill, a person can already sell raw produce, baked goods and certain processed foods which are made at home or produced in a garden without any state regulation.

​

• HB164-Early Childhood Task Force was presented to the Floor by Representative Cutler. It was defeated. This bill created additional bureaucracy to look at ways to improve early childhood development. I believe we have enough oversight when it comes to early education, so I voted nay.

• HB195 and 197-The Medical Cannabis Policy were presented by Representative Brad Daw. I voted in favor of both of these bills. This legislation will provide clear guidelines for who can produce and prescribe medical cannabis if the ballot initiative passes in November.

HB258-Womens’ Cancer Screening Notification ammendments presented by Representative LaVar Christensen. This bill will require physicians to notify women who may have dense breast tissue that additional screening may be necessary. I voted in favor, because I think women should be informed and have the right to choose whether or not they want additional screening. It passed the house, just barely.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with high schoolers from Manila, who made the long trek to the Capitol for a field trip. I was able to meet with a homeschool group from Morgan. We talked about constitutionality and the important role it plays in legislation. My daughter Madi and her friend Michael came to visit Thursday. On Friday, I had the opportunity to meet with teachers and school board members from District 53. All in all, it was a pretty great week. 
​ As always, I am thankful for the opportunity to represent you on the Hill. Please contact me at loganwilde@le.utah.gov with any questions or concerns. Thank you for supporting my family and I in this adventure.