2022 Primary Q&A: GOP Candidates in House District 72, Joseph Elison and Willie Billings

Washington County has three House District primary races with no incumbents and the House District 72 features two similar Republican candidates with financial backgrounds.

These Republican candidates are Willie Billings of Hurricane and Joseph Elison of Toquerville. Both are self-employed with companies that bear their last names. Elison works for the Elison Financial Group and Billings works for the Billings Financial Group. Billings is also the husband of current Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings.

The two are running to replace longtime state Rep. Brad Last, who announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election after serving in the Utah Legislature for nearly 20 years.

The Spectrum sent both candidates a questionnaire to gauge their positions on key issues that impact southwest Utah. Here are their responses, word-for-word and unedited except for some formatting changes.

Water continues to be a scrutinized resource during this ongoing drought. What would you do as an elected official to protect this resource in the future?

Billings: Conservation should always be part of the conversation. I support projects associated with accessing and retaining our water, along with the reuse projects needed for secondary watering. Which allows culinary water not to be used outdoors.

Elison: There are many steps that can and should be enacted to protect our water resources. I fully support the local efforts of our amazing municipalities to encourage water conservation from each citizen and municipal water user. I also support the strategy of developing our gray water storage and usage in all outdoor landscape areas. This will free up the potable water for culinary use. I believe that each citizen can look at more water-friendly plants and shrubs so they can enjoy their landscape yet at the same time help with less water usage from higher demand vegetation. This will help significantly in the near term.  I also support water storage efforts that are underway and will need to continue developing for longer-term planning.

What needs to happen for Washington County if the Lake Powell Pipeline isn’t built?

Billings: Water always has steps in development. The LPPL was just one of the steps and will be built at some point in the future. We have the water rights and Utah should develop all water rights we have. In the meantime. The state is funding many projects which include conservation, and reuse. For example in Southern Utah the Toquerville Reservoir, and Warner Valley Reservoir. Both will be used for secondary water and reuse in the area. Those projects were at the bottom of the list last year. When the LPPL was put on the shelf they moved up the list of importance. In 2006 when the state legislature voted on the LPPL project and to act on the water rights from Flaming gorge. It opened the door. Now it is all about the administration in the country and timing. It will happen at some point.

Elison: I am in favor of the Lake Powell Pipeline. The water is coming from Flaming Gorge. This has been a long hard-fought battle, but it is now affirmed this is Utah water.  We own it and it is cheaper to release the water to Lake Powell and pipe it to Washington County than it would be to pipe it from Flaming Gorge. If this does not happen, then the only options we are currently aware of are those listed above and/or limited building permits which will cause a housing price increase that we've yet to witness.  Affordable housing in Washington County would then be a distant memory.

What are the most pressing issues for you for this election?

Billings: Uniting people is important to me. We live in the best state, and the best county bar none. We need to recognize people are affected with every legislation put on the books. Getting outdated laws removed is part of the pressing issues. Helping families thrive is my goal. Addressing issues that matter to the people is my goal.

Elison: The most pressing issues for this election are the same for any election.  Conservative values and policies are tried and true and must be preserved. They work every time they are applied. The efforts being employed in our country to move to a more socialistic society and even worse will cripple and eventually undermine the very fabric of this great republic. The reason why people are flocking from liberal states to conservative states is that we are freer, we have thriving economies, our crime tends to be lower, and upward economic mobility is greater for every citizen. The greatness of America is property ownership, entrepreneurism, capitalism, free markets, lower taxes, smaller government, essentially everything the Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to protect. These principles must be preserved and protected.

How should nature conservation play into the development of southwest Utah?

Billings: We should always have conservation as part of every discussion. Waste is not acceptable. As we move forward with a budget, resources being or land projects. I love to hunt. Killing an animal is part of hunting. If I am not using the animal. I should never kill the animal. The same as in a budget. If it is not necessary spending. We wait and find the appropriate means for the funds. Conservation is one of the reasons Utah is picture perfect in every direction.

Elison: Southern Utah is one of the most gorgeous areas in the world.  We should do everything we can to protect the beauty around us. I believe in private property rights and I believe we should be responsible in our development efforts so as to help preserve the amazing surroundings. I believe we can strike a good balance to accommodate nature and land rights.

Do you support the Northern Corridor being built through the Red Cliffs Conservation Area?

Billings: Yes I do. Connectivity in every community is so important. We can work through land swaps and the desert tortoise preserve and solve the problem. We have smart people on the issue and this project is so important. Building the southern Corridor has blessed thousands of visitors and residents. The same will be with building the northern corridor. Working through the hiccups is what we do to help families thrive.

Elison: One significant challenge of growth in Southern Utah is we have topography that is very difficult to navigate. I believe we can build the corridor to alleviate the traffic flow issues and still preserve the needed areas for wildlife and vegetation. 

What does ‘smart growth’ look like to you?

Billings: Smart growth is understanding infrastructure is the most part of peoples life. Every roadway, utility fiber network and water connection matters to businesses and families. I am focused as a representative to continue as we build the necessary infrastructure, to bless business and families alike.

Elison: I believe smart growth is good land management codes developed by citizens and municipalities together. Each community has unique needs and visions. I believe the efforts of trying to stop growth would be better employed in better planning for the future so we can stay ahead of the growth curve rather than playing from behind.

How would you describe yourself politically?

Billings: Red. I am a conservative, constitutionalist, and I agree and will vote for the items on the Utah Republican platform. Standing up for the U.S. Constitution is what I do. I have read it and stand by We The People.

Elison: Politically I am a registered Republican. I am pro-American and conservative. The United States of America has been the greatest success story in the history of this world.  The conservative values that built and have preserved this country are unparalleled. I stand by these values and will defend them.  We have been the beacon of freedom to the rest of the world.

What could Republicans in Utah be doing better?

Billings: Uniting. Republicans agree on 99% of the issues. The one percent we need to listen to understand and then work to find better solutions. Everyone will never agree on everything. Even me and my wife don’t agree on everything. But we listen to each other, and work toward our goals together.

Elison: The Republican party stands for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Utah has been known for its conservative values and lifestyle. We should be leading the country in fighting for and defending these principles. As much as I appreciate Florida, Texas, and other conservative states, we should be the beacon to the world.

Should the government be doing more to create affordable housing? (Yes or No) What steps would you take around housing affordability if you are elected?

Billings: Government is doing some projects currently. 55 million that was allocated this 2022 session for homelessness is one example. Places like Switch Point in St George are funded and being built so veterans, seniors and disabled citizens can have a place to live. When those individuals get priced out of a home, they become homeless. The private sector is trying to feel the gap with affordable housing as well. Capitalism is always the answer. Supply and demand is king. The prices are dictated by it.

Elison: No. There are already programs in place to help alleviate the housing challenges. I believe there is always room for improvement. I believe in limited government. I believe in free markets and believe free markets are best designed to see a need and find a way to fill it. I believe the best ideas are yet to come.

Sean Hemmersmeier covers local government, growth and development in Southwestern Utah. Follow on Twitter @seanhemmers34. Our work depends on subscribers so if you want more coverage on these issues you can subscribe here: http://www.thespectrum.com/subscribe. 

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Utah 2022 Primary Q&A: Billings and Elison in House District 72