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Congressman Orton urges relief from federal mandates, highlights education and fiscal concerns
Summary
Rep. Orton told the Utah Senate that federal mandates and rising national debt are squeezing state and local budgets, urging senators to identify burdensome federal requirements so Congress can seek funding or repeal.
Rep. Orton addressed the Utah Senate on Feb. 12, thanking members for the opportunity and warning that the nation faces major fiscal and social challenges — from infrastructure needs and illiteracy to a growing number of uninsured Americans and rising national debt. He urged state and local governments to identify the most burdensome federal mandates and said he would pursue ways to fund, repeal or waive those requirements where possible.
Orton cited studies estimating tens of millions of Americans are functionally illiterate and noted more than 35 million lack health coverage, including about 12 million children. He described the savings-and-loan crisis and tens of billions in fiscal losses and argued the federal deficit must be a top priority. Orton said many regulatory burdens and poorly conceived programs discourage economic competitiveness and that solutions must include state-level action and a reorientation of federal priorities to provide resources rather than detailed direction.
He closed by urging officials to prioritize solutions that preserve local control and to work across party lines; the body thanked him and returned to the calendar.
