Northwoods Reporter

The Iron County Republican Party has taken an active role in informing voters about non-partisan elections, addressing several key issues and candidates ahead of the upcoming election. The party's Executive Committee has reached a consensus on various matters, including the Iron County School District's debt bond proposal.

The school district is proposing a $70 million bond to fund new construction, but the party suggests waiting for Charter School alternatives. A recently approved K-8 Charter School could expand to K-12 and is funded by state resources at no cost to taxpayers. The committee argues that charter schools offer unique learning experiences and bring in new state funding without increasing property taxes.

Concerns about declining birth rates were also raised, noting Utah's drop below replacement levels. This demographic shift affects school enrollment, with more retirees moving into the area rather than young families. The Utah School Choice bill will soon allow tax dollars to follow students, potentially benefiting both teachers and students.

The party also calls for repealing the RAP (Recreation, Arts, and Parks) Tax due to concerns over its allocation. An incident involving RAP funds being used for a "family-friendly" drag show has prompted reevaluation of these expenditures. The party advocates for reforms such as increased park maintenance funding and ethical regulations for the RAP Tax Board.

Additionally, interviews were conducted with four Republican candidates for Cedar City Council: Tyler Melling, Brittany Fisher, Robert Cox, and Carter Wilkey. Each candidate was questioned on local governance issues and scored by the Executive Committee.

The Iron County Republican Party endorses Celeste Maloy for Utah’s Congressional District 2 seat. They believe she will effectively represent local interests at the federal level. Phil Lyman is endorsed for governor following his victory at the Utah Republican State Convention.

The party encourages voters to support their endorsed candidates in the upcoming elections.