Town Halls
Focused on our Future
It is an honor to represent the people of Sandy, Draper, and White City in the Legislature.
I am a moderate with a track record of effectiveness on issues ranging from clean air to reducing the cost of health care. We have talented, informed people in House District 32, and I listen to constituents, learn from every conversation, and work hard to represent our community. I bring civility, integrity, and a willingness to work with others to find common sense solutions to the Legislature.
As a legislator, I run common-ground bills with Republican co-sponsors and have passed legislation focused on:
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Reducing healthcare costs
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Supporting education and student safety
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Improving access to mental health resources
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Emergency preparedness (Sandy water crisis)
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Improving our air quality
I believe there is more work we can do together. The future of our state depends on elected officials that will fight to preserve what makes Utah great, while also working with others to make Utah even better. I continue remain focused on our future and I’m asking for your vote.
2021 Legislative Wrap-up
The 2021 Legislative Session is over! This year, I passed three pieces of legislation as well as one bill that I floor-sponsored (meaning the bill originated in the Senate). These bills dealt with issues like healthcare costs, emergency management, and clean air—issues that impact us all. I also co-sponsored bills on issues ranging from mental health care to domestic violence prevention to privacy protection.
Overall, I happy to report that the 2021 General Session of the Utah Legislature was a success. As a body, we passed over 500 bills, and while there were bills I disagreed with, the democratic process remains effective and strong. The bills that passed both the House and the Senate can be found here. You can also click here for a document with summaries and explanations of some of this year's legislative highlights.
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My 2021 Legislation
Passed
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HB 96 Emergency Management Amendments
This bill will help our cities, counties, and state prepare for future emergencies by improving communication and coordination between state and local government.
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HB 99 Public Employees Health Program Amendments
This bill will help save taxpayers and our state money by allowing the Public Employees Health Plan to negotiate for better prices on expensive medications.
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HB 206 Epinephrine Auto-injector Access Amendments
HB 206 will save patients money on epi-pens, a life-saving medication used for severe allergic reactions. This bill will allow patients to purchase this expensive and life-saving medicine for a reduced price via a program through our Public Employee Health Plan. This program will be available to any Utahn who needs this essential medication.
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SB 146 Emissions Testing Amendments
Three years ago the legislature passed a pilot program for diesel passenger cars and trucks to be included in the inspection and maintenance program in Utah County. The Division of Air Quality estimates over 1,250 tons of emissions were reduced by implementing this program in the first year alone. This bill simply made the pilot program a permanent maintaining all of the good progress the state has made in reducing emissions in these counties.
Not Passed
While not all of my sponsored legislation passed this session, I am still proud of the conversations we started and will return to work on these issues in the future. Here are a few of those bills:
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HB 194 Diabetes Prevention Program (Passed through the House, did not receive a vote in the senate)
This bill would have created a pilot program for the National Diabetes Prevention Program and will save tax dollars by helping Medicaid patients improve their health and avoid developing diabetes.
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HB 310 Campaign Finance Modifications
This bill would bring more transparency and accountability to political campaigning. This bill would allow Utah to actually enforce the existing state laws on campaign finance (right now there are few penalties). This bill would also require campaigns to disclose expenditures in the last month of an election.
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HB 445 Paycheck Protection Program Recipient Relief Grant Program
Small business owners are the backbone of our state’s economy. In a year when the legislature is giving $100 million in tax cuts, this targeted plan would have delivered significant help to the many small businesses owners, who weathered the economic downturn with a much deserved boost. This bill would have given certain small business owners a needed tax break for loans they received under the Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). While this bill didn't pass, I'm hoping it will be addressed in a future special session.
HD 32 Priorities
I am incredibly grateful that 279 constituents completed our "2021 Legislative Priorities" survey and wanted to share some of the results with you.
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I also recognize that COVID-19 has had a deep and lasting impact on so many of our lives and livelihood. Nearly 1/3 of survey respondents have experienced job/income loss in the past year. Many also expressed concern about our state's response to this pandemic.
I promise to keep working for you and our entire #HD32 family. We will get through this tumultuous time together.
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Endorsements
Get Involved
When I first decided to run for office, I knew I couldn't do it alone. Together, we have made our voices heard in the Utah State Legislature. I believe there is more we can do for our community—I hope you will join me.
Note: While we are not delivering signs in 2021, please sign up if you would like one in the future!
Meet Suzanne
I grew up in Provo where my parents both spent their careers working at BYU. I went to Timpview High School and then attended Stanford University where I met my husband, John, who was raised in Centerville, Utah.
After Stanford I graduated from medical school at the University of Utah, and completed my residency in anesthesiology at Harvard University. We’ve lived in District 32 for over a decade. Our children attend local public schools. John works as a Senior Director of Engineering at Lucid Software.
I am a board-certified medical doctor at Riverton Hospital. I also volunteer in our community, schools, and in our church.
I originally ran for office because I did not feel represented in our state legislature. I am asking for your vote so I can can continue to fight for your family. I promise to remain an effective fiscal watchdog and to focus on the issues that affect everyday Utahns.
Keep in Touch
Issues
I am a moderate concerned that our Legislature has consistently failed to take meaningful action on the problems facing our state. I am out talking to voters and listening carefully to your concerns so I can best represent you in our Legislature.
Economic Growth
Many families are struggling right now. Our economy is being tested unlike before, and we must do everything we can to address this crisis. That includes fostering a safe and healthy community so that we can get back to a healthy economy. Put simply, anyone willing to work hard to support their family deserves the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Together, we can make that a reality for state.
Affordable Healthcare
We must find ways to reduce healthcare costs in our state. As a medical doctor, I bring an important perspective to the Legislature because I see firsthand how our broken health care system can harm Utahns and their families. I will continue to promote innovation, transparency and competition to help curb healthcare costs. Tackling out-of-control prescription drug prices is something I'm passionate about and and I will never stop advocating for your interests - not special interests.
Mental Health and Addiction Resources
I believe we should provide resources for Utah's vulnerable populations, especially who suffer from mental health issues and addiction. As a medical doctor, I understand that mental health is an important piece of our overall health. That's why this year, I worked to secure funding for school based mental therapy sessions for uninsured or under-insured children.
We have a growing opioid addiction and mental health crisis in our state. On average, one Utahn dies each day from addictions leading to overdoses. As a medical doctor and expert in pain management, I will fight for evidence-based solutions to ensure Utahns receive the care and services they need.
Fiscal Watchdog
I am committed to making sure our taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and responsibly. We must be conservative in how we tax Utahns. That is why I opposed the flawed tax bill that raised taxes on food. I also fight against wasteful spending, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting Education
One of the reasons I ran for the Utah Legislature is that my daughter had 29 kids in her kindergarten class in our local public school. I volunteered in that class and watched her overworked and overstretched teacher try to address the needs of so many kids. We can do better by our kids, and we need new leaders with fresh perspectives in office to improve the educational opportunities for all Utah kids.
I am pleased to be endorsed by the Canyons Education Association, and also serve on the Canyons Education Foundation Board. I also serve on the PTA Board for Alta View Elementary.
My kids are in public schools with your kids. I will fight for them to have every opportunity to succeed and thrive.
Air Quality
Utahns deserve to breathe clean air! Our air pollution is harming our health and our economic future. Our air pollution increases the risk of serious breathing problems, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and shortens our lifespans. We have a unique geography that demands unique solutions, and we need to be wise stewards. We need cleaner burning fuels, better air quality monitoring, and we need to encourage cleaner vehicles. Everyone, including industry, should do their fair share to address this serious problem.
Cleaner Vehicles and Tier 3 Gasoline
Over half of the particulate pollution in our air shed comes from vehicles.
Using low-sulfur fuels that meet Tier 3 standards can reduce emissions by
as much as 80%. That is like taking 4 out of 5 cars off the road. That's why
I ran a resolution encouraging the purchase of Tier 3 fuel and decided to
launch Tier3Gas.org to raise awareness about this important issue.
Transparency, Accountability, and Good Governance
I originally ran for office because I didn't feel heard by the legislature. I felt that legislators were listening to special interests, not my interests. My values that drove me to run have not changed--transparency and accountability remain a driving force behind all my decisions.
There are only five states that have no limits on campaign donations. Utah is one of them.
That’s why I sponsored a bill that created campaign contribution limits, to prevent a wealthy few from dominating the political conversation. Campaign contribution limits are one way to protect everyone’s free speech and amplify the voice of individual Utah voters.
I believe we should do everything we can to improve the integrity, accuracy, and accessibility of our elections. That is why I passed a bill that improved the election code to reflect current practices and technology in elections.
Other Issues
Abortion
As the proud aunt of ten adopted nieces and nephews, I’m incredibly grateful for each of their brave birth moms who chose life through the gift of adoption. They are a special part of our family.
As a medical doctor, I believe in the sanctity of life and I work to save lives. My personal position on abortion is consistent with the teachings of my faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am committed to reducing number of abortions and support policies that help reduce unwanted pregnancies like quality prenatal care and a strong economy with high-paying jobs.
Community Safety
Neighborhoods in Sandy and Draper must be safe. We need to support local police and fire personnel, improve school safety and security, and ensure that all residents are safe in our community. I am proud to be endorsed by local police and local firefighters.
Religious Freedom
I support our Constitution and cherish the freedoms it provides. I will continue to work to protect freedom of religion while ensuring all people are treated equally under the law.
