Thursday, September 22, 2011
My Thanks
I would like to thank those that have contributed, especially those who have sent endorsements already. I am very happy that so many have taken the time to read about me and have decided that I can make a difference. Thank you for the vote of confidence.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Letter to water/irrigation companies
This week my team and I are sending out letters to every officer/member of Utahs many water/irrigation companies detailing the danger our water laws face with certain legislation that is being suggested in our state house of representatives. Currently we are looking for endorsements and campaign contributions to help me fight this. Anyone who would like a copy of this letter, or would like to contribute in anyway, please email me at rbehling@behling67.com. I would be happy to answer any questions you have and I am also very interested in your comments or concerns.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
My Priority Issues
1. Economy - I believe that in order for the Utah economy to continue to grow we need to stop accepting federal money and learn to support ourselves. By accepting federal funds we open the door for federal, special interest groups and individuals to dictate how we run our State. As far as our public education and our public lands are concerned, I believe it should be the local voices that decide what is to be done, not the federal government. We also need to make it easier for business to set up and operate in our State. An open business atmosphere will do more to create jobs than government can ever do.
2. Rural and Urban Interface - The towns and cities of Utah are growing. We need to make sure that we do not pave over the future of our children. We need to take care to leave open space and agricultural land in order to provide for that future. At this point, there is no thought or control in this area.
We also need to make sure that as cities and towns expand, that the county residents are treated fairly and honestly; that annexation plans are honored; and that all residences have input. Development needs to be structured and planned. It is about time we require this from the counties, cities and towns of this state. By doing this more city fathers will spend more time in developing master plans that benefit their residents and surrounding populations.
3. Water - We live in a desert state. Water laws needs to be safeguarded to avoid abuse. Water should be kept within the aquifer that it is generated in. We need to protect from over appropriation of our precious resources.
Water and irrigation companies are under scrutiny with recent canal breaks. The state needs individuals on the hill to help oversee any change to water laws that may affect these companies. Change in water laws that allows for transfer of water rights without regard to other water users or the life of the water company needs to be watched, caught and stopped. Undue regulation needs to be avoided. Our state water laws have stood for over 100 years for a reason. It Works! Let’s not try to fix what isn’t broken.
2. Rural and Urban Interface - The towns and cities of Utah are growing. We need to make sure that we do not pave over the future of our children. We need to take care to leave open space and agricultural land in order to provide for that future. At this point, there is no thought or control in this area.
We also need to make sure that as cities and towns expand, that the county residents are treated fairly and honestly; that annexation plans are honored; and that all residences have input. Development needs to be structured and planned. It is about time we require this from the counties, cities and towns of this state. By doing this more city fathers will spend more time in developing master plans that benefit their residents and surrounding populations.
3. Water - We live in a desert state. Water laws needs to be safeguarded to avoid abuse. Water should be kept within the aquifer that it is generated in. We need to protect from over appropriation of our precious resources.
Water and irrigation companies are under scrutiny with recent canal breaks. The state needs individuals on the hill to help oversee any change to water laws that may affect these companies. Change in water laws that allows for transfer of water rights without regard to other water users or the life of the water company needs to be watched, caught and stopped. Undue regulation needs to be avoided. Our state water laws have stood for over 100 years for a reason. It Works! Let’s not try to fix what isn’t broken.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Behling not supporting Patrick Painter
Behling not supporting
Patrick Painter!
With this year’s election in full swing ethics have became a major issue for candidates. This is the reason that as a former Republican candidate for Legislative House seat 67, held by current candidate and Representative Patrick Painter that a line needs to be drawn in the ethics sand. I will not be backing or supporting Representative Painter in any way. While Representative Painter and I agree on many issues I do not feel I can support a man that I feel has stepped across the line in mixing personal business legal issues with his political responsibilities.
When we elect someone to fill a position of public trust, we trust that they will abide by and uphold the same laws as the populace that they govern over. Representative Painter has been involved in litigation with his local water company over water rights that he legitimately owns. His request to change their use and the condition of use has been less than satisfactory to both parties. Instead of hammering out a solution Representative Painter has felt compelled to try and change current water law to better or change his position. This would also negate his current legal situation also. There are many that agree with me that this is not only an abuse of power but also a conflict of interest.
Other legislators have lost their position for a few drinks and other questionable acts. This issue has gone on unquestioned or mentioned in the press.
In the process of proposing and pushing for change to the current water law both Representative Painter and others have ignored house and committee rules. If you are going to play you need to play within the rules and guidelines. Bills need to go through the correct committees and procedure needs to be followed.
I have been asked if I am supporting any other candidate. At this time I am not. If I were to support any other candidate other than a Republican I would not be able to challenge the Representative in two years as per party rules. Instead I am asking that you consider supporting or writing in the name of anyone that you feel would best fill this position. To vote for Representative Painter at this point would only embolden him.
Why is this water issue so important? The intent of these bills would bring our state water law to its knees. It would be akin to allowing someone that owns Ford stock to transfer it to Toyota along with the asset or property it may be attached to. It would also make it so that there would be no way to prevent the Snake Valley water from being piped to Las Vegas. There is a reason that our water law is 100 years strong. It is because it works.
I have not been asked to make this statement by anyone or any organization.
Respectfully,
Richard L. Behling, AFIS
Patrick Painter!
With this year’s election in full swing ethics have became a major issue for candidates. This is the reason that as a former Republican candidate for Legislative House seat 67, held by current candidate and Representative Patrick Painter that a line needs to be drawn in the ethics sand. I will not be backing or supporting Representative Painter in any way. While Representative Painter and I agree on many issues I do not feel I can support a man that I feel has stepped across the line in mixing personal business legal issues with his political responsibilities.
When we elect someone to fill a position of public trust, we trust that they will abide by and uphold the same laws as the populace that they govern over. Representative Painter has been involved in litigation with his local water company over water rights that he legitimately owns. His request to change their use and the condition of use has been less than satisfactory to both parties. Instead of hammering out a solution Representative Painter has felt compelled to try and change current water law to better or change his position. This would also negate his current legal situation also. There are many that agree with me that this is not only an abuse of power but also a conflict of interest.
Other legislators have lost their position for a few drinks and other questionable acts. This issue has gone on unquestioned or mentioned in the press.
In the process of proposing and pushing for change to the current water law both Representative Painter and others have ignored house and committee rules. If you are going to play you need to play within the rules and guidelines. Bills need to go through the correct committees and procedure needs to be followed.
I have been asked if I am supporting any other candidate. At this time I am not. If I were to support any other candidate other than a Republican I would not be able to challenge the Representative in two years as per party rules. Instead I am asking that you consider supporting or writing in the name of anyone that you feel would best fill this position. To vote for Representative Painter at this point would only embolden him.
Why is this water issue so important? The intent of these bills would bring our state water law to its knees. It would be akin to allowing someone that owns Ford stock to transfer it to Toyota along with the asset or property it may be attached to. It would also make it so that there would be no way to prevent the Snake Valley water from being piped to Las Vegas. There is a reason that our water law is 100 years strong. It is because it works.
I have not been asked to make this statement by anyone or any organization.
Respectfully,
Richard L. Behling, AFIS
Friday, April 30, 2010
Water Issues and Concerns
We live in a desert state. Water law needs to be strengthened and corrected to avoid abuse. Water should be kept within the aquifer that it is generated when stream flows are transferred in to well rights. The stream flows should be used to recharge the aquifer that the well right was granted to protect from over appropriation of the water.
Water companies and Irrigation companies are under scrutiny with recent canal breaks. The state needs individuals on the hill to help over see any change to water law that may affect these companies. Change in water law that allows for transfer of water rights without regard to other water users or the life of the water company needs to be watched, caught and stopped. Undue regulation needs to be avoided.
Posted by Richard Behling at 10:16 AM
Labels: rights, water
Water companies and Irrigation companies are under scrutiny with recent canal breaks. The state needs individuals on the hill to help over see any change to water law that may affect these companies. Change in water law that allows for transfer of water rights without regard to other water users or the life of the water company needs to be watched, caught and stopped. Undue regulation needs to be avoided.
Posted by Richard Behling at 10:16 AM
Labels: rights, water
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
My views on Health Insurance
With the passage of the Obama health care plan I feel it necessary to have more people on the hill that have a good understanding of the insurance industry. I have 25 years experience. It has been discussed by those running for the Senate that interstate sale of health insurance could be one answer to the problem. By doing this we would add another federal bureaucracy to regulate the sale of insurance. Do we really want another federal bureaucracy? Utah has some of the lowest rates for insurance in the country. If the Obama health care plan is not repealed then we need to opt out and do it right. We need to give people choice and freedom to pick what coverage they would like and let them be accountable. Yes we will have to pass some regulation to make sure that coverage is available to all but to take away the freedom of the people of this state is wrong.
Urban and Rural Interface
The towns and cities of Utah are growing. We need to make sure that we do not pave over the future of our children. We need to take care to leave open space and agricultural land in order to provide that future. At this point there is no thought or control in this area.
We also need to make sure that as cities and towns expand, that the county residents are treated fairly and honestly. That annexation plans are honored and that all residences have input. Caution and care should be given to properties that could be knocked from green belt status through no fault of their own can remain in Green Belt until use of said ground or property changes. Development needs to be structured and planned. It is about time we require this from the Counties, Cities and Towns of this state. By doing this more city fathers will spend more time in developing master plans that benefit their residents and surrounding populations.
We also need to make sure that as cities and towns expand, that the county residents are treated fairly and honestly. That annexation plans are honored and that all residences have input. Caution and care should be given to properties that could be knocked from green belt status through no fault of their own can remain in Green Belt until use of said ground or property changes. Development needs to be structured and planned. It is about time we require this from the Counties, Cities and Towns of this state. By doing this more city fathers will spend more time in developing master plans that benefit their residents and surrounding populations.
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