Utah officials endorse Bush

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    By JOSEPH LOPEZ

    Leading the polls nationally, Gov. George W. Bush also has the support of many top Utah government officials.

    Gov. Mike Leavitt, who chairs Utah Bush for President, said that the Texas governor’s record is a model for America. “Governor Bush is taking his message to all 50 states, and I’m confident that it will resonate with the people of this country,” Leavitt said.

    Sen. Orrin Hatch, Sen. Bob Bennett, Rep. Jim Hansen, Rep. Merrill Cook and Rep. Chris Cannon also support Bush, according to his campaign Web site, http://www.georgewbush.com.

    Leavitt applauds Bush’s success in improving education, cutting taxes, strengthening criminal justice and improving education.

    Education has been a hot topic in Utah, and Bush has kept the issue at the forefront of his campaign with his phrase, “All children can learn, and no child should be left behind.”

    Bush outlines a plan to give parents and states more authority to set priorities for student achievement.

    He supports an accountability system that tests children in grades 3-8 annually in reading and math.

    Bush also wants to establish a $500 million fund to reward states with improved student achievement, according to the Web site.

    States would be required to publish school report cards with annual test results. This would give parents more information about the quality of their children’s education. “He’s going to get Washington out of public schools,” said Rusty Payne, communications director for Utah congressman Chris Cannon.

    Bush also has some suggestions on the issue of taxation. He says he would increase the child credit to from $500 to $1,000, according to his Web site.

    As president, Bush says he would also eliminate the death tax and restore former president Ronald Reagan’s 10 percent deduction for married couples who have two incomes.

    Personal or corporate income tax increases would be vetoed, he said.

    Although the Republican candidates differ on several issues, one that they all agree on is the rights of the unborn.

    Bush is pro-life, but does make exceptions for instances of rape, incest and a mother’s life being endangered, according to his Web site.

    Taxpayer funds for abortion and partial birth abortions would be banned, he said.

    While defending the unborn, Bush also says he plans on increasing America’s military defense.

    A $1 billion increase on the military pay raise would be implemented to recruit the best and brightest, Bush said. Increasing missile defense and replacing military systems with new technology are also part of Bush’s defense plans.

    Another top issue in Bush’s campaign is Social Security, and he opposes any tax increases for it.

    Social Security funds would be protected by placing the money in a “lock box,” he said.

    Along with protecting Social Security, Bush also plans to fight for Medicare.

    He says he wants to create more private sector alternatives for the elderly, including financial support for poor seniors.

    Bush supports medical savings accounts as an option for health insurance.

    See related stories:

    Keyes stresses prayer in schools, abolition of income tax 3/6/2000

    McCain ‘talks straight’ to college students 3/6/2000

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