Perhaps due to inexperience, neither Bird, a Republican, nor Springer, a recently converted Democrat, has a clear platform, and either newcomer would need some time to become an effective legislator.
Nonetheless, The Tribune Editorial Board believes Springer, a teacher, is the better choice because of his firm support for public education and his stronger position on health care.
Bird, who ousted Rep. Peggy Wallace in the primary by 25 votes, acknowledges that Utah schools are overcrowded but favors more parental input and volunteers in the schools as a solution. Though he says he would have voted against an income-tax cut recently approved by the Legislature, he showed little knowledge of how surplus revenue has been allocated.
Bird seems intent on utilizing health savings accounts for the growing number of Utahns who are uninsured. While HSAs might be a part of a health-care solution, we are leery of sole reliance on them. Bird, who owns an insurance company, was, surprisingly, unaware of a proposal to expand the Public Employees Health Plan to cover uninsured small-business employees.
Springer favors a broader approach to government-supported health care, including expanding PEHP.
Both candidates oppose tuition tax credits or vouchers as a potential drain on public education. Bird endorses charter schools as they are currently administered, while Springer has the more thoughtful opinion that taxpayers' money would be better spent on enriching traditional public schools. He believes charter organizers have too much freedom to use public money as they wish.
Springer supports recent legislation to allow counties to increase sales taxes to pay for transportation needs and would give new TRAX lines top priority. He would also promote an education campaign about the benefits of using public transit, including buses, to get more cars off the roads.
District 42's new man on the Hill should be Springer.
* HOUSE DISTRICT 42 extends from the Oquirrh Mountains eastward to about 2200 West, roughly between 7000 South and 9000 South.
