I’m a father of 9. After my mission in 1991, I moved to Utah and never left. I love my family. I love Utah. And I love running.
My life is full but simple. I spend a lot of time with my kids. I pride myself in working hard. I run in the mountains. Before now, I’ve never paid much attention to politics.
But the actions led by Utah’s Sen. Lee to sell off our public lands — outlined in the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee within the FY25 Budget Reconciliation Bill — deeply saddens me.
These actions do not align with the values of Utah or with my values. Although affordable housing is touted as an outcome of these land sales, there is no requirement, no process, and no mechanism to ensure these land sales contribute to resolving Utah’s housing challenges; in contrast, these lands will be sold to developers, with revenues benefiting the federal government and large corporations, not everyday Utahns.
Who will lose if this bill passes? Utahns. Farmers whose families will lose their grazing leases (canceling these leases is included in the bill). Hunters and fishers with deep family traditions in these mountains. Trail runners like me who, when dark times hit me in my life, found healing, peace and solace right in my backyard on Mount Baldy. Families.
Why should we as Utahns have to pay the price of our values and our lifestyles in exchange for financial gain? And, what does that mean for who we are if we go down this path?
If we ask ourselves what is truly important to us in Utah, and what our values are, it will be very clear that Sen. Lee’s bill is not in alignment.
Bill Hiatt, Orem
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