Original Document, signed by Speaker Rebecca Lockhart and Representative Ryan Wilcox, January 2013
Where I Stand
“I do solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.”
-my commitment to you-
I take the constitutional Oath of Office seriously. By default, I run every decision through the constitutional filter, in order to best protect our God-given rights. As I teach my scouts, I will do my best to ensure that I “leave it better than I found it.” Obviously, every issue cannot be addressed here. Please reach out directly if you have any specific questions.
the purpose of government
The purpose of government is to protect our God-given inalienable rights.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
-The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
education
With a lifelong music educator for a mother, and a wife who has served as both a teacher and librarian, (and all five children in local schools) Ryan understands the importance of education. His children have received traditional public, private, charter, online and home-based education, depending on the needs of each child.
Teaching “How laws are made” to 5th grade students.
While not addressed in the U.S. Constitution, and therefore left to the states, (see the 10th Amendment) education is addressed directly in Article 10 of the constitution of the State of Utah. As such, it is our duty to provide a public, non-sectarian education system open to all children of the state. While the State School Board is invested with the authority of day-to-day operations, the legislature maintains a significant role.
Over the years he has served in our schools as a parent volunteer, guest speaker, student mentor, coach, and as a parent representative on a local school Community Council. He currently serves on the board of the Ogden School Foundation, focused on raising critical funds from the private sector that bypass the bureaucracy of government and impact our students and teachers directly, based on individual classroom needs. Ryan believes in local control of education dollars, and has worked at both the state and federal levels to enhance dollars available to directly impact the quality of education in the classroom.
first freedoms
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Not much to add here to the Amendment itself.
natural Resources
Proper stewardship of our natural resources is not just good policy, it is the basis of our economic viability and future prosperity. Rep. Wilcox is intimately familiar with the importance of responsible development of our natural resources. In a professional capacity, he served on the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee, and subsequently served as an Energy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Public Lands policy advisor in the U.S. Senate.
With his unique perspective including significant local, state and federal legislative policy experience, Ryan has the relationships and background to contribute to the debate and ensure that the state of Utah is prepared for the challenges ahead.
As Utah continues to grow, prudent stewardship of our resources is more important than ever. Proper planning, investment and policy can ensure that we are able to provide the water, food, fiber and power we all depend on to live, prosper, and remain self-reliant.
federalism
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
The 10th Amendment makes it clear: Absent direct authorization under the articles of the United States Constitution, all power is inherent in the States, or in the people themselves. There is no other issue that weighed as heavily on my mind while working in Congress as the issue of federalism. It is perhaps the most abused principle in Washington D.C. As such, it is imperative that our state representatives recognize not just the separation of powers but the central role that states play in our federal system.
transportation
Infrastructure needs in Northern Utah have been ignored for far too long at the state level. From Legacy North to the expansion of I-15 and east-west corridors, to FrontRunner service to Pleasant View, it is time for a more aggressive transportation plan.
Economic Mobility
Ryan believes in a Free-Market economy, and in all that entails. Like Walter Williams and Adam Smith, he believes that free market capitalism has been the means lifting more people from poverty than any other system. That singular opportunity is the hope that fuels the American Dream.
Ryan believes that the state government has a role to play here, particularly as it relates to education. Investments in secondary education must be tied directly to the economic and business needs of the state. This means heavy investment in the arts, sciences, engineering and particularly, vocational training. As workers and families confront the new economy, we must ensure that we offer the relevant and necessary training that will allow us to provide for our families and ensure that the dream lives on in our communities.
second amendment
“…the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Growing up on the farm, fall meant three things:
Utah Bull Elk taken on the North Slope of the Uintah’s on his last hunting trip with his dad. October, 2010
Chasing pheasants, ducks and geese after the cows were milked and fed.
Saturday afternoon football on the radio while chopping wood with Dad.
Elk & Deer hunts with family and friends.
He still likes to hunt and fish, but none of that is really why he is so passionate about the second amendment. During his first race for office, he received his first death threats. The perpetrators were brazen enough to leave the voicemail on the home answering machine. (that used to be a thing) They threatened not just the candidate, but his family as well.
He quickly called his friends at the Weber County Sheriff’s office, and finally signed up for Utah concealed-carry training. In addition to the discovery that his wife Kristina is a dead-eye shooter, (don’t mess with her, she doesn’t miss) they soon found that such issues are often an unfortunate staple of public life.
While in office, he sponsored and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation designed to protect our second amendment rights, and successfully maintained an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association of which he remains a lifetime member.
private property
Gratefully, we no longer live under King George! The original line in the Declaration of Independence guaranteed protections not for pursuing happiness, but for “life, liberty and property.” Today, the last line of the fifth amendment guarantees that none of us shall be deprived of “property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Governments role then, is to ensure that our property rights are protected by preserving the free enterprise system and the right of each individual to buy, sell and own real property as guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Utah. Due process requires that property rights are respected by both the government itself and other parties.
Family Law
There are few areas where the heavy hand of government can have a more devastating effect than in family law. Whether in cases of divorce, custody disputes, abuse or other harm, the first consideration must always be the demonstrated best interest of the child. Lady Justice must remain blind, and the law must be written and enforced without preference or additional weight given for any other consideration. Incentives inherent in state code, policy or practice to divide families or to deprive children from one or both parents must be removed.
revenue and taxation
As Chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, Rep. Wilcox successfully ensured a balanced budget without a single tax increase throughout his tenure. He has been awarded the “Friend of the Taxpayer” award numerous times, and does not support increased taxes. A fan of the flat tax, he supports tax reductions wherever possible and elimination of loopholes that shift the burden of government from one citizen to another.
law enforcement & First Responders
UHP Colonel handing my late grandmother the flag from my grandfather’s casket. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, after which se served as a Utah Highway Patrol for 35 years. Following that career, he served as Head of Security at the Ogden Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for another decade. He passed away weeks after I graduated from the UHP Citizens Academy, in late 2009.
As the grandson of a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper here in Northern Weber County, Ryan is intimately aware of the sacrifices made by those who choose to serve and protect the rest of us. As a legislator, he authored and passed legislation to target organized crime syndicates, prosecute kidnappers, and protect the innocent. Working in health care has given him a front-row seat to the everyday heroism exemplified by our police, fire, dispatchers, search and rescue teams, and front line caregivers.
I will always stand with those who choose to risk their own safety to protect the innocent.
national defense
While a member of the House, Rep. Wilcox had the distinct honor of hosting Utah’s newest Gold Star Families at the Utah State Capitol, to ensure that they were properly honored, and remembered, for their service and sacrifice.
As Northern Utah Director in the U.S. Senate, Ryan was responsible for critical relationships with the United States Air Force, U.S. Army, and the Utah National Guard. As an advisor to the Utah Defense Alliance, Ryan worked with Utah’s military leadership and private sector partners to ensure Utah’s preparation and long-term strategic position as an indispensable partner in our nation’s defense. From Hill Air Force Base to Camp Williams, to the Utah Test and Training Range and Area 52 at Dugway, he understands the unique contributions of our military and is a passionate advocate for our men and women in uniform.
Corn pit on the family farm.
sustainable agriculture
Ryan grew up in a small farming community, where water policy, environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture were a way of life- not just a fad to be debated to score political points. In a professional capacity, he served on the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee, and subsequently served as a Senior Policy Advisor focused on Energy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Public Lands in the U.S. Senate.
With his unique perspective with significant local, state and federal legislative policy experience, Ryan has the relationships and background to contribute to the debate and ensure that the state of Utah is prepared for the challenges ahead.
As Utah continues to grow, prudent stewardship of our resources is more important than ever. Proper planning, investment and policy can ensure that we are able to provide the water, food and fiber we all depend on to live, prosper, and remain self-reliant.
institutions of civil society
Government must not, and indeed, cannot, solve all of societies ills. Yet, we must acknowledge that as institutions of civil society fail, people naturally turn to their government. From the scouts to the church, from the shelter to our nations service clubs and health care institutions, America is in crisis. Yet, despite similar trends, Utah remains the shining “City on the Hill,” largely because those institutions remain stronger here than anywhere else in the world. We lead the nation in volunteerism. We donate a higher percentage of our income to worthy causes. We are more tightly woven together as communities, as a people, because we choose not to be dependent on government. As we work to lift one another and strengthen our commitment to service and civil society, we simultaneously diminish the argument for larger, more obtrusive government. For a fascinating and timely read on the importance of institutions of civil society and the fallout from their collapse, see “Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse” by Timothy P. Carney.
“Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”