ELECTIONS

Cox and Peterson spar over Utah education in governor’s debate

Sep 30, 2020, 6:10 AM

2020 Utah Gubernatorial Debate

LIVE: Gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox (R) and U of U law professor Chris Peterson (D) meet to debate at KSL-TV.

Posted by KSL Newsradio on Tuesday, September 29, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah governor’s debate between leading candidates Lt. Governor Spencer Cox (R) and Chris Peterson (D) was much more civil than the one between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden that took place later that evening. 

While the two men had their disagreements, they never became disagreeable, even when it came to their differing thoughts on education. 

Both believe Utah needs to spend more money on education, as the state has consistently ranked at the bottom of per-pupil spending in the United States. 

However, Peterson believes Utah’s flat income tax is a problem and wants the wealthy to pay more. 

“My core values say, ‘To whom much is given, a little more needs to be expected.’ And it’s not because I’m some wild-eyed liberal, it’s because I read it in ‘The Bible’. That’s a core value that I think most Utahns share,” Peterson said. 

Cox, on the other hand, believes the money is there and pointed to a recent budget deal that raised education spending in the state, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 

However, he criticized what he called “perverse incentives” that make building a $150 million school more attractive to districts than raising teacher’s salaries. 

“We have the revenue sources. We just need to prioritize them and take advantage on some that we’re missing out on,” Cox said. 

The candidates agreed that per-pupil spending needs to be evened out so rural and lower-income areas can have the opportunities wealthier districts do. 

Peterson opposes shuffling property taxes around. 

“I want people in Bountiful, in Sandy, in Draper, in areas of Lehi and Provo to listen very carefully. What [Cox] may have just said is that he wants to take funding from your local school district and transfer it to other places around the state. I don’t believe that what we should be doing is having our kids fighting over scraps,” Peterson said. 

Cox hit back that that was not what he meant. He also felt Peterson didn’t understand the depth of the problem. 

“He obviously has not looked at the numbers because we have districts now that per-pupil spending is over $20,000 and others where it’s under $10,000. That is not equitable at all. I believe we have to be more careful about the way that we use the funds available and make sure that we’re lifting everyone up,” Cox said.

Cox also came out in support of Amendment G, which if passed in November would allow some income taxes to be spent on disabled people and children while promising to keep the new, higher education funding intact. 

Peterson said he opposed it because it would create “competition” between schools and the disabled for needed dollars. 

Recent polls show Cox is leading Peterson 55% to 19%.     

 

  

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections

Former President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters as he leaves the courtroom during a lunch break ...

ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and TERRY SPENCER

Judge rejects Trump’s bid to throw out classified documents case

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a bid by Donald Trump to throw out out his classified documents criminal case.

15 days ago

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally Saturda...

JILL COLVIN Associated Press

Trump wins delegates needed to become GOP’s presumptive nominee for third straight election

With wins in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington state, Trump surpassed the 1,215-delegate threshold needed to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

16 days ago

President Joe Biden speaks in Columbia, S.C., Jan. 27, 2024....

ZEKE MILLER AP White House Correspondent

President Joe Biden has won enough delegates to clinch the 2024 Democratic nomination

President Joe Biden, clinched a second straight Democratic nomination Tuesday and set up an all-but-certain rematch with Donald Trump

16 days ago

Caucus Republican...

Curt Gresseth

Utah GOP chair addresses Super Tuesday caucus meltdown

The Utah GOP chair acknowledged some caucus meetings saw"challenges" on Super Tuesday, but he said overall things went smoothly.

22 days ago

Republicans gather at Olympus High School in Holladay for caucus meetings on Tuesday, March 5, 2024...

Becky Bruce

Utah GOP party members differ on 2024 caucus turnout

The Utah GOP caucus turnout was three times as high in the 2020 presidential primary than yesterday, a Utah GOP caucus leader said.

23 days ago

People check in to caucus at Brighton High School on Tuesday, March 5....

Mariah Maynes

Utah voters share thoughts on Tuesday’s caucus

KSL NewsRadio's Aimee Cobabe spoke with voters at one caucus who shared their reasons for attending and their opinions of the experience. 

23 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Cox and Peterson spar over Utah education in governor’s debate