Utah County Developer Joins Utah House of Reps

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah County real estate developer Chris Herrod will replace retiring House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander. State Republican Party Chair Enid Greene made the selection after a mix-up that caused a two-day delay. Herrod has already missed orientation for new legislators and says he's not planning to run any bills right away.

"My first goal is to catch up - to know the process before I decide what bills to run," says Herrod. "I've already got my priorities on where I'd like to see money go in the budget, but not ideas for specific bills."

Herrod says he supports funding for higher teacher salaries and other education initiatives, since his children go to public schools. But he also supports parent choice in the form of tuition tax credits or school vouchers. He says he's very interested in seeing parental rights preserved and would support bills inspired by the case of Utah boy Parker Jensen, whose parents were sued for refusing to give their son certain cancer treatments.

Immigration is another of his concerns - Herrod says he supports stricter enforcement of immigration law and wants to do away with a law that lets undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition rates.

The Utah Legislature convenes its 57th session on January 15th.

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