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I follow individual performances of our state legislators and note what is in the best interest of the people of our state and country. I have singled out "thumbs up" for the best and "thumbs down" for the worst House lawmaker.
Rep. Brian King, House District 28, wins my "thumbs up" for the best House legislator. He is a voice of reason and supports issues with facts. At his own expense, King takes the time to support civic and public events such as the Japanese American Citizens League Conference. King is understandably unopposed in this year's election.
Rep. Ken Ivory, House District 47, deserves my "thumbs down" for the worst House legislator. He is past president of the American Lands Council, a group promising corporations and counties that it will fight for the transfer of federal lands to state control. The ALC took in over $330,000 in 2014 and from that amount Ivory and his wife received $153,000. Local governments pay ALC membership fees so Ivory feathered his nest with tax dollars.
The Conference of Western Attorneys General has concluded that the states claim to federal public land is without merit. Supreme Court rulings going back a century state that clearly the United States has authority to maintain and manage lands on behalf of all Americans. Without facts or reason, Ivory continues the crusade to waste $14 million of our tax dollars with a Louisiana law firm litigating a lawsuit which has no chance of success.
Realistically, religion is a factor in the decision making on the hill. Both of these men are active members of the LDS faith. I hope the voters in Ivory's House District 47 will vote merit over active church attendance.
Russell D. Larson
Sandy