OPEN GOVERNMENT: All actions taken by government, and the discussions and debates leading to those actions, must be made in legal meetings open to all. No discussion of any item should occur in a closed caucus where a majority of those voting on the item are present.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: It is morally wrong for the current generation to put the costs of its excesses on future generations. We support a balanced budget for local and state governments. Taxation must be balanced with maintaining the necessary functions of effective government, and with those functions determined and sanctioned by the people.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY: All persons deserve a job that fairly compensates them for their labor. We support strong, locally-owned businesses that provide jobs and services to the people of Cache Valley. We support increased emphasis on high-technology, environmentally benign business development. We support the creation of new jobs, raising income levels, and retaining our youth in Cache Valley. We support alternative transportation opportunities, and thoughtful county, regional, and city planning. We believe that economic stability and sustainability is an achievable goal for a democratic government.
QUALITY OF LIFE SUSTAINABILITY: We believe that indifference to the natural beauty of Cache Valley is rapidly eroding the high quality of life its people have enjoyed. We believe immediate action must be taken to preserve farmland, ensure open space, improve air quality, secure wildlife habitat and maintain water quality.
PUBLIC EDUCATION: People’s rights are most secure when everyone is afforded a good education and encouraged to become well-informed. We believe that Utah children deserve high quality education and that public education should receive the highest priority in funding within our state. We oppose vouchers or other mechanisms that would divert public funds from the public schools and into private institutions.
HIGHER EDUCATION: Utah State University uniquely endows Cache Valley with a special role in higher education. The university helps develop and maintain a high quality labor pool, which in turn keeps the Utah economy viable. Research universities develop innovations that lead to higher-income jobs in a sustainable economy and to new businesses. We believe increased support of higher education in general, and Utah State University in particular, will lead to a more stable economy in Cache Valley and the State of Utah.
PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: A basic tenet of democracy is protection of the individual from excessive government action. We strongly support the rights of individuals to “be themselves” – to differ from societal norms, to openly practice their beliefs and to maintain their values provided their actions do not violate their neighbor’s rights. We will work to maintain basic human rights in Cache Valley.
PROVIDING BASIC SERVICES: In a civil and sustainable society, all persons must have basic health care, freedom from hunger, and adequate, safe housing in order to become productive members of society. We strongly support private and public programs that advance the efforts of individuals to provide themselves and their families with these basic human requirements.