Utah's Jobless Rate

Interpreting and attributing Utah’s jobless rate falling to 5.8% can be complicated, but one thing is clear: Utah is doing something right.  Governor Herbert calls it ‘wise economic stewardship and fiscal prudence’.  I agree, but will add that there is indeed something special about the people here in Utah.  I’ve lived in other parts of the country, and I’m impressed that there’s a special spirit of hard work, responsibility, and innovation in this state.  

Still, 5.8% is not something we should settle for.  Putting Utahns back to work is a priority for me.  

I’m an avid reader, and I stumbled across an interesting quote recently in a novel.  Two men are riding in a train out in the old American west, reflecting on their condition and their fare in life.  One expresses his regret at moving his family to the area.  He  was seeking opportunity, leaving behind a job that didn’t challenge or satisfy him.  He remarks, “I wasn’t makin’ anything back there, just working sunup to sundown on the farm.”  His friend replies “It will be the same here.  Wherever a man is, there is work to do.  That’s the very best part.”  

This response startles him, and he asks “The very best part?” His wise friend affirms, “The very best part.  My friend, there is a Hell.  It’s when a man has a family to support, has his health, and is ready to work, and there is no work to do.  When he stands with empty hands and sees his children going hungry, his wife without the things to do with.  I hope you never have to try it”.

I am not blind to the struggles that many Utahns have faced during this Great Recession--I see them everyday.  I treat them in the ER when they have lost their insurance from their employer and when they can’t afford to go anywhere else for healthcare.  I care deeply for these people, and I have solutions that will help create more jobs for Utahns.  

By electing me, you have the opportunity to be represented by a Senator with experience in healthcare and small business, a Senator who will always listen and respond and have a dialogue with you.  Vote Brian Shiozawa on Nov. 6th.

Support for Small Business

I am grateful to be both a healthcare professional and an owner of a small business.  This gives me the great blessing and opportunity to care for people and make positive changes in their healthcare and their lives.  I also appreciate how important it is to have a job and to be able to provide for my family and to provide jobs for others who work with me. 

When my grandparents immigrated to America, they embraced the great American Dream, which includes the freedom to choose a job or profession and then excel in it through hard work, education, and innovation.  This is what has made our communities, our state and our nation great. 

When I started at St. Mark’s Hospital over twenty years ago, we had a modest-sized Emergency Department staffed by five full-time physicians.  Since that time, we have grown our physician group to twenty-three physicians and now care for over 40,000 patients annually.  We strive to provide high quality healthcare and great customer service.  These are the same principles that make any small business successful and provide jobs for many. 

I understand the needs of small businesses and their employees.  I have had to make payroll through challenging economic times and find ways to improve efficiency and provide benefits and care for our fellow employees.  Recently, we merged our group with an even larger group so that now we cover nine hospitals along the Wasatch Front and employ over one hundred physicians.  Altogether this group cares for a significant fraction of emergency and hospitalized patients in this area. 

My experience as a small business owner will guide me to support small businesses throughout Utah as your next State Senator for District 8.  I believe in a balanced budget, fiscal responsibility, and efficiency in our government while providing the highest quality services to our citizens. 

I believe that small business is absolutely essential for the success and prosperity of our state and our country.  I am grateful to be a healthcare professional and grateful to our patients and customers for their trust.  As your next State Senator, I commit myself to represent you effectively and to see that your voice is heard in the Capitol.  I commit myself to supporting measures that will assist Utah’s small businesses as they provide jobs for Utahns, the most important issue in this election.

Energy in Utah

With gas prices on the rise to record heights, America’s energy independence has never been more of an issue than it is in this election.  Working class Americans are struggling with rising costs all around them: not only is gas more expensive, so is electricity, and with those increased costs, all basic commodities such as food are becoming more expensive.  These prices are subject to numerous factors, and there is no silver bullet that can or will completely alleviate these rising costs.

A topic that arises constantly in the discussion on energy is drilling for oil.  This is particularly important for Utah residents because of the vast amounts of oil and gas considered to be contained in Utah lands.  A recent report by the Government Accountability Office estimates that in the Green River Formation shared by Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, some 3 trillion barrels of recoverable oil lie untouched--that’s enough to power our nation’s vehicle fleet for two hundred years.  Unfortunately, the fact that the majority of these resources are currently under Federal control has taken the choice to develop these resources out of Utahns’ hands.  The benefits that come to a state that utilizes resources like oil are significant.  Similar oil extraction programs are underway in Arkansas, Texas, and Pennsylvania, creating thousands of jobs and adding billions of dollars to these respective states’ economies.

Another hot topic this year is nuclear energy.  The Blue Castle Project near Green River, Utah has polarized the debate.  Those for this new nuclear power plant cite its substantial increase in electric power generation in state.  Detractors are concerned about the large consumption of water from the Colorado river involved as well as the possible effects of a meltdown.  The reality is we need energy and our population is growing.  And there are environmental consequences for all types of energy: nuclear power brings with it the risk of meltdown and concerns regarding waste disposal; hydroelectric power comes at the expense of rivers; traditional coal-derived electricity inherently pollutes.  We must strike a balance of meeting our population’s needs while addressing these real and important consequences.  My son Robert was serving as an LDS missionary in Tokyo, Japan at the time of the historic Fukushima meltdown following the devastating tsunami in Sendai.  My wife Joye and I know firsthand the worry and concern that come with having loved ones in the path of such disasters.  Accordingly, safe implementation of sources of power such as nuclear is a high priority for me.  If the Blue Castle Project is to go forward, it must be accompanied by a specific and safe plan for disposal of waste as well as measures to prevent possible meltdowns.

There are basic policies that our government must practice in order for us to best serve American families that are trying to weather these trying times:
1. First and foremost, ensure the safety of Utah residents.  Dangerous and irresponsible development of energy resources, however profitable, must be discouraged.  
2. Be wise stewards of the environment.  The development of nuclear power in Green River must be carefully considered for its long-term effects, and all pros and cons must be weighed.
3. Use the resources available to us.  Promote the continued development of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources throughout the state.
4. Where necessary, take back Federal lands that rightfully belong to Utah so that Utahns can reap the benefits of responsible development of energy resources.

Together, we can take important steps that will help Utah safely and responsibly utilize our abundant natural resources.