Congressman Rob Bishop addresses Utah Senate on census, stimulus and public lands

Congressman Rob Bishop addressed the Utah Senate Feb. 18, emphasizing concerns about federal policy decisions that could affect Utah funding and local communities.

Bishop said moving control of the decennial Census from a neutral setting to the White House risks politicizing population counts that determine federal fund distribution and representation. "Moving the Census... to the White House does everything possible to make this even much more much riskier for being abused and being politicized," he said. He also warned that changes to census procedures could alter formulas that determine federal dollars to states and localities.

On the federal stimulus package, Bishop said timing and program design determine whether stimulus measures create the desired jobs, and he said alternative proposals could generate more jobs at lower cost. He also cautioned that parts of an omnibus public-lands bill could reduce federal payments in lieu of taxes to counties if additional eastern acreage is designated, with financial consequences for local school and government funds.

Bishop also praised Utah's efforts to support military installations and said local encroachment protections and community support help bases compete for future missions.

After his remarks, senators thanked Bishop and invited further engagement on redistricting and census issues; the Senate then dissolved the Committee of the Whole and resumed regular business.

Next steps: No formal action taken; Bishop's remarks were offered for informational purposes and to inform senators ahead of federal deliberations.