Setting the Record Straight

Out-of-state groups are spending hundreds of thousands in an attempt to smear Dan Liljenquist's exemplary record in the Utah State Senate. In this video Dan sets the record straight.

Claim: Dan Liljenquist missed a lot of votes.

The Truth:

In order to pass substantive reforms like pension and Medicaid it is necessary to spend a lot of time with the other legislative body working out concerns and building support. It does no good to pass a bill through the Senate if it dies in the House. Dan took the time required to work these bills through BOTH legislative bodies. In doing so, he had the full support of his colleagues in the Senate and Senate leadership.

The result of his time and effort in working with the House was real and lasting reform to put our state on sustainable financial footing. He received three national awards for his work, including the only state legislator of over 7500 to receive the "Public Official of the Year Award" from the bipartisan Governing Magazine.

The Utah Taxpayers Association addresses that assertion as well. They state that:

"To make sure SB 180 passed the House, Sen. Liljenquist participated in dozens of meetings with various stakeholders. In doing so, he relied on his Senate colleagues to make sure other good bills moved forward, and bad bills were stopped. However, he was on the floor when his vote was needed on close vote."

You can read their full statement at: http://www.utahtaxpayers.org/wp-conte...

In a statistical analysis of missed votes in the Utah Legislature done by Adam Brown at http://utahdatapoints.com/2011/06/why... he comes to the mathematical conclusion that "Legislative leaders skip way more votes than non-leaders." Revolutionary reforms like pension and Medicaid reform required unprecedented levels of coalition building and leadership.

• Category

  News & Politics

[lieDetonator]

What Dan accomplished in his 3 yrs in the State Senate as a freshman is more than most politicians accomplish in their entire career. Were it not for Dan's tireless work and expertise as a turnaround specialist garnered at his days working for Bain Consulting we would still be facing a 6.5 billion plus deficit. Dan cut it by 4 billion. Dan's reforms were so innovative & effective that 16 other states asked Dan to help them implement the same reforms. Washington needs Dan's expertise & talent.

[AdrielleHerring]

Dan was not elected to cast multiple votes on unanimous bills, feral cat bills, etc. He was elected to provide fiscal leadership. He came into the Utah Senate and remarkably tackled the state's top two fiscal risks.

Dan did miss votes. He missed votes because he was busy passing the most substantial legislation Utah has seen in 50 years. His fiscal reforms are a model for the nation. He accomplished what everyone else WANTED to accomplish, but didn't know how. Vote Dan for US Senate 2012.