K. Wayne Cushing, Salt Lake County Treasurer, seeks re-election

K. Wayne Cushing, CPA 2014 Announcement to run for Re-election as our Salt Lake County Treasurer See My Facebook Page It was truly a humbling experience when I was elected by the public to serve as Salt Lake County Treasurer in 2010. Our campaign began in March of 2010 with the hope of convincing delegates and subsequently voters that although I was not politically connected, I had the education, financial background, and business experience to excel as the Treasurer. It was most gratifying to know that our message was heard and your trust was gained. I have not forgotten that trust and have made every effort these past three years to make improvements to the Treasurer's office. I am confident, and hopefully you will agree, that the improvements made warrant a second term in office. Some of our major accomplishments include: Total collections have increased by 10% to over $1.04 billion per year. Total delinquencies have decreased by 32% to $43 million. Total tax relief awarded to qualified recipients increased by 16 % to over $8 million. Budgets were decreased every year in areas for which we have control totaling over $140,000. Strategic investment changes increased investment income by over $430,000 since 2010. Staffing has dropped from 29 to 25. More improvements are already launched or on the horizon including: Initiated and wrote revisions to an existing tax statute that is currently moving through the 2014 legislature where tax notices may be delivered electronically to those who choose that option which can save tens of thousands of dollars in printing and postage costs. . Increased efforts to find those who truly need and qualify for tax relief . Synchronizing cash flow requirements with new investment opportunities will increase yields. Without this being a presidential election year, our party will need everyone to participate to ensure success at the polls. I would certainly welcome your vote again as part of our overall GOP success.
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Neighborhood Caucus Meetings are March 20, 2014

We are now less than a week away from caucus night! Click here to sign-in now for your neighborhood caucus meeting on March 20, 2014 and avoid waiting in the check-in line. If you register online you don’t have to fill out the sign-in sheet. Isn’t that great! Also, if you find out you won’t be able to make it to your Caucus, you can still vote by printing your absentee ballot starting at 5pm on March 19, 2014 and have a family member or friend bring it to your caucus in a sealed envelope (remember to sign the back of the envelope), with a copy of your I.D. (Note & Important– we will not take the copy of your I.D. It will stay in possession of the person you gave it to). Each person may bring a maximum of 3 absentee ballots. Your absentee ballot will count for every round of voting your candidates are in. We have made some changes to these meetings and our commitment is that the 2014 Caucuses last no longer than 2 hours! We have sped up the check-in process by using online registration and encouraging the precincts to limit voting to two rounds. With that, everyone should make the 2 hour goal. We know in 2012 many caucus meetings went very long because of the high turnout. We heard you and we have made the necessary changes. Now, all we need is YOU on March 20, 2014, 7pm at your neighborhood caucus. See you there!

Thank you for your support of the Utah Republican Party. James Evans Utah Republican Party Chairman

Reid Demman Salt Lake County Surveyor Seeks Re-election

An announcement from Reid Demman, your County Surveyor:

Dear Fellow Salt Lake County Republicans,

It has been my pleasure and an honor to serve as your County Surveyor since January 2007. Although the time has passed quickly, I have accomplished many of the things in the office I committed to you I would do, and yet I have more to do as the County Surveyor. For this reason, I am announcing my intent to seek re-election as your County Surveyor.

First, let me share with you a few of my accomplishments while serving:

• Modernized, streamlined and improved services through technology and a team oriented business plan.
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• Implemented a new fiscal management structure which, along with advanced use of technology and training, achieving a 20% reduction in the Surveyor's Office operating budget.
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• Improved the use of technology and training to reduce overhead costs and increase efficiency.
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• Developed and implemented a process allowing surveyors to file their surveys electronically. This groundbreaking process was the first of its kind in the country and creates convenience, efficiency, and greater expedience to public access of survey records.
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• Created an extensive outreach program which has resulted in the development of partnerships with all sixteen local municipalities for the acquisition of new aerial photography and LIDAR data, saving local government and taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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• Expanded the Surveyor's Office website to provide dynamic and easy accessibility to a broad range of information and tools.
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• Promoted efficiency in government by developing partnerships, collaborative efforts and projects with County, State and Federal offices, thus reducing the so-called "stovepipe" approach to providing services.
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• Enhanced the protection of your property by adding more than 10,000 points to the Hi Accuracy GPS Control Network, which optimizes my ability to restore the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) should it be compromised.
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The County Surveyor and the protection of property is an important American legacy that goes back to the days of Abraham Lincoln, early valley settlers, Thomas Jefferson and even George Washington.
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There is nothing mysterious about the primary focus of the County Surveyor's Office. It's simply the systematic, consistent, open and transparent preservation of accurate property lines and boundaries. This is accomplished through the protection and perpetuation of the Public Land Survey System, from which all property is described and measured. The location and integrity of approximately 340,000 parcels of land in Salt Lake County depends on the County Surveyor, independently, performing his or her duties. Over one million people rely on the County Surveyor for the quiet enjoyment of their property. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. I've dedicated over 35 years to my profession and the protection of property. As a Republican, I offer to you an additional insurance policy against a casual approach to private property ownership and government encroachment. My deep-seated, fundamental, core philosophy is one of respect for life, liberty, and property.

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Nearly eight years ago, you trusted me as your candidate for County Surveyor and elected me in 2006 and 2010. I am reapplying for the job and ask for that trust and support once again for my 2014 re-election. I am excited and prepared for the campaign to make sure the office remains in Republican hands.
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I invite your contact with any questions about me or the Surveyor's Office by email at rdemman@networldmail.com, or phone (801) 573-3773. Additionally, I invite you to review the Surveyor's Office website www.surveyor.slco.org or visit my website at www.reid-demman.net/ . I also maintain an open door policy at the County Surveyor's Office for non-political property issues.
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Thanks in advance for your support.

Reid Demman

Salt Lake County Surveyor

Utah Republicans will be volunteering to help the Republican National Committee take back the United States Senate

A hearty congratulations to the State of Utah! For years, we’ve known our volunteers had a unique blend of passion for conservative principles and an unmatched work ethic. It appears that this combination has not gone unnoticed. The State Party, in conjunction with the Republican National Committee, is happy to announce the opening of a one-of-its-kind volunteer center located in the heart of downtown Provo. This volunteer center is a testament to your sacrifice to preserve conservative principles not just with your words, but with your actions as well. We look forward to seeing you at the center's kick-off event next Saturday! Please review the following details and then click the provided link to RSVP: Provo GOP HQ 249 N. University Ave. Provo, UT Saturday, March 22 12pm Lunch will be provided Click here to RSVP! Our hope is to have the volunteer center operational by March 22nd, with an official Grand Opening soon to follow. We want to begin contacting voters and help change the tide for competitive races here in Utah as well as across the country as soon as possible, as the center will be used for both local and national races. It is the hope of the State Party and the RNC that this center, utilizing our citizens' passion and volunteer spirit, will be the deciding factor in whether or not Harry Reid and the Democrats remain in control of the Senate and allow the last two years of President Obama’s presidency to be unimpeded, or if we are able to take back the Senate and bring sanity back to Washington. However, we cannot do this without your help. We are in need of a variety of office furniture, including folding tables, chairs, and desks before the place will be operational. If you have these, or any other furniture you would like to donate to the center, please contact Jillian Wheeler at jillian@utgop.org or Steven Jackson at steven@utgop.org or reach them by phone at (801) 533-9777. Also, if you do not have furniture but would like to help in the call center effort, we highly encourage you to donate by clicking here. Again, thank you so much for your continuous willingness to help Utah and its efforts to maintain conservative principles at home as well as throughout the country.

Thank you for your support of the Utah Republican Party.

Pre-Caucus Meeting Thursday March 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM

To all registered Republicans of West Jordan Precinct WJD030:

There will be a Pre-Caucus Meeting at the home of Jeanette Drake on Thursday March 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The address is 1856 Drake Lane (7400 South). If you haven't been here before, you get to us from Redwood Road. Come up the lane, pass the red brick house and then turn north to get to our house which is a white brick house that faces east. You will recognize the place by the dairy goats. This is the home of Drake Family Farms Goat Dairy.

We will be going over all the details for next week's Caucus Meeting. We will make plans for handling registration and for the agenda of the Caucus Meeting so that it will be an efficient, transparent meeting with maximum citizen involvement. Any questions??? Call Jeanette at 801-561-8745.

Changes to the Caucus Meetings for 2014 - Pre-register, Absentee Ballots and More

Caucus season has finally arrived! Click here to sign-in now for your neighborhood caucus meeting on March 20, 2014 and avoid waiting in the check-in line. If you register online you don’t have to fill out the sign-in sheet. Isn’t that great! Also, if you find out you won’t be able to make it to your Caucus, you can still vote by printing your absentee ballot starting at 5pm on March 19, 2014 and have a family member or friend bring it to your caucus in a sealed envelope (remember to sign the back of the envelope), with a copy of your I.D. (Note & Important– we will not take the copy of your I.D. It will stay in possession of the person you gave it to). Each person may bring a maximum of 3 absentee ballots. Your absentee ballot will count for every round of voting your candidates are in. We have made some changes to these meetings and our commitment is that the 2014 Caucuses last no longer than 2 hours! We have sped up the check-in process by using online registration and encouraging the precincts to limit voting to two rounds. With that, everyone should make the 2 hour goal. We know in 2012 many caucus meetings went very long because of the high turnout. We heard you and we have made the necessary changes. Now, all we need is YOU on March 20, 2014, 7pm at your neighborhood caucus. See you there! Thank you for your support of the Utah Republican Party. James Evans Utah Republican Party Chairman

Caucus Night is Thursday March 20 at 7:00 PM

If you haven’t already, please be sure to mark Thursday, March 20 at 7:00pm on your calendar and plan to attend your neighborhood caucus. Caucus night is less than a month away, and this year there are exciting changes that make it even easier to participate. Click the image below to watch our commercial and share it with your family and friends. (Please contribute $10, $25, $100 or more to help us spread this message). Did you know this year you can: Preregister online before attending your caucus night. Vote by absentee ballot if you're not able to attend your caucus night. And if you're out of state on military or religious service you can also cast a ballot. In addition to the new, easy ways for you to participate, we’ll be actively promoting caucus night across the state. You’ll see signs and door hangers, receive phone calls and emails, and see familiar faces on television inviting you to attend your neighborhood caucus. We NEED your help to let your friends and family know about caucus night. Ensuring that this years caucus night is a success is critical! Please help us spread the word by contributing $10, $25, $100, or whatever you can to help share this video with others. Your money will go to spread the message about this important part of our election system. We cannot do all of this without your donation so please contribute $10, $25, or $100 today! Thanks for your support! James Evans Utah Republican Party Chairman P.S. It’s up to all of us to make sure that caucus night is a success. You can help by contributing $10, $25, $100 and by sharing this with your family and friends on Facebook, Twitter, and email.

Utah Republican Party Headquarters 117 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Email: info@utgop.org | Phone: 801.533.9777 © Copyright 2013. Utah Republican Party. All Rights Reserved.

Youth Leadership School

The URepublicans are bringing the Leadership Institute to Utah to host a Youth Leadership School! This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in getting more involved in politics while meeting fellow conservatives, enhancing your resume, and learning how to better lead! Youth Leadership School . Friday, Mar. 21 - Saturday, Mar. 22, 2014 2 days and nights, $30 (meals included) *Only $15 for Early Registration by 2/21/14! REGISTER HERE The Leadership Institute's flagship school, nicknamed "the boot camp of politics," provides you with effective techniques to organize and lead mass-based youth efforts for and causes. Any student, candidate, or youth leader who wants to be active in the political process should attend this school. You will learn to: Organize large numbers of volunteers and voters Increase the size and effectiveness of your group Motivate volunteers with exciting projects Host successful speaker events Develop eye-catching signs and literature Gain media coverage Organize 12 proven activism projects Click Here for Flyer Contact Sam Larson with any questions at SLarson@LeadershipInstitute.org or (703) 647-3311. Register at the URepublicans Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/206778666184582/ Or directly at the Leadership Institute's website: http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/Training/school.cfm?ID=24932

Progress Report by Our Salt Lake County Assessor Kevin Jacobs

Dear Fellow Republicans,
First of all, I want to thank all of you for the opportunity I have to serve as your County Assessor! I knew what I was getting into, and would like to report on the progress I've made since taking office last September. As promised, utilizing my experience and management background, I hit the ground running and have made significant changes to the office structure and how the office operates. The most significant changes I've made are:

Reorganized the office

• I split the Real Property Division into two smaller divisions, the Residential Division and the Commercial Division.
  
• At the same time, I dissolved the Statistical and Modeling Division, as well as the Appeals Section, and assigned those individuals to the respective Residential or Commercial Division.
  
• This realignment means the two divisions have all the responsibilities and resources for their area. All phases of property valuation are now "self-contained" within each division.

Appraisers and statisticians now work together as a team, which enhances their communication and makes them more accountable for the final product.

Completely revised how appraisers are assigned their work

• Previously, appraisers would work in one area of the county and then move to another area the following year. Now, appraisers are assigned to one area and will not rotate. They will be responsible for new construction, reappraisal, and the appeals that come from their area.
  
• The appraisers will focus on gaining a very detailed knowledge of their area and the changes that are happening within it.

Made recommendations on streamlining appeals to the Board of Equalization

• If our records show you have a finished basement, when in fact you don't, you shouldn't have to go through a lengthy appeals process to have the error corrected. I recommend appeals dealing with physical characteristics be immediately sent to the Assessor's Office so we can verify the data, correct the error, and get a revised value on the property.
  
• Currently, a large number of the appeals filed with the County are not sent to the Assessor's Office, but instead go directly to a hearing officer. Many of these appeals end up going to the state, which then involves my office. I want the opportunity to correct errors, whether they relate to physical data or value, at the earliest possible level. Taxpayers shouldn't have to appeal to the state when the issue could have been resolved at the County level! I have recommended that all appeals, regardless of the issue, be reviewed by my office. While this will add to our workload, I feel strongly it is our responsibility to address taxpayer concerns and get them resolved as quickly as possible.
  
  While these are not all of the changes I've made, I feel they are the most significant and will have a long lasting effect on the office. I am committed to making the office more accountable, while serving you in the most efficient and effective manner possible!
  

Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you as the Salt Lake County Assessor and I appreciate your support!

If I may be of help to you, please contact me at:

Kjacobs@slco.org
385-468-7971 (work)
801-502-4729 (cell)

Thank you,

Kevin Jacobs
Salt Lake County Assessor

www.assessor.slco.org

News from Representative Earl Tanner and Senator Wayne Harper

The Utah Legislature is in session. Both our Senator Wayne Harper and our Representative Earl Tanner are welcoming feedback and input from their electors.

• To take a survey for Representative Earl Tanner go to www.telltanner.com
• I could not get the link for Senator Wayne Harper's survey to work. So maybe it is too late to take advantage of the survey for this legistlative session. Contact him via email.
• Representative Tanner's email address is earltanner@le.utah.gov
• Senator Harper's email address is wharper@le.utah.gov

February News from Senator Mike Lee

Friend, The first two months of 2014 have been busy in Washington and in Utah. We just held my February tele-townhall and it was helpful to hear from citizens from around our great state on a wide-range of issues. If you haven't done so already, you can sign up to participate in my monthly tele-townhalls here: http://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/tele-townhall-meetings. I also wanted to share with you a few of the areas I have been focused on in the Senate. Here some highlights from the last few weeks: Learn about my proposal that seeks to affirm religious liberty in the military Listen to my interview with Doug Wright where we discussed my response to the State of the Union Address Read my op-ed: The Farm Bill vs. America Read the text of my speech: Reforming higher education for those who need it most Read my op-ed: To Create Jobs, Promote Access to Opportunity via Human Networks Watch the Judiciary Committee hearing where I asked Eric Holder to provide legal rationale for Executive Orders Watch my full response to the State of the Union Address Read the resolution I signed denouncing the President's coercion of states into adopting Common Core standards Today, Americans know in their hearts that something is wrong. Much of what is wrong relates to the sense that the “American Dream” is falling out of reach for far too many of us. We are facing an inequality crisis — that the President has paid lip-service to, but seems uninterested in truly confronting or correcting. This inequality crisis presents itself in three principal forms: immobility among the poor, who are being trapped in poverty by big-government programs; insecurity in the middle class, where families are struggling just to get by and can’t seem to get ahead; and cronyist privilege at the top, where political and economic insiders twist the immense power of the federal government to profit at the expense of everyone else. Where does this new inequality come from? From government — every time it takes rights and opportunities away from the American people and gives them instead to politicians, bureaucrats, and special interests. In 1861, Abraham Lincoln told Congress that the “leading object” of American government was: “to elevate the condition of men - to lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all, to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance, in the race of life.” I am continuing to put forward legislation with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the inequality crisis we face as a country and deliver to you the type of government Lincoln described. You can follow my legislation in areas including eliminating the double tax on hardworking parents, reforming higher education to make it more accessible and more affordable, along with prison, patent and regulatory reform that are part of my conservative reform agenda on my website at www.lee.senate.gov