Questions for Candidates

It’s election season, and whom our community chooses for local office goes a long way to determining what path it takes. More highways or investment in human-scale transportation? Housing construction that delivers a range of affordable dwellings for all residents or more developments that just strain local infrastructure and make the city function worse?

I know that local governments can make a huge difference—both positive and negative—in the lives of local citizens. These five questions are worth asking all candidates to gauge their approaches to the issues facing our area. Ask them directly, or better still, go to a candidate’s forum and get them on the record in front of your neighbors.

1. What should our city do to increase housing supply?

Our state a serious housing crisis, and in many cases it’s caused or exacerbated by restrictive zoning rules that limit housing types and impose expensive parking requirements. A candidate should be able to explain tangible steps a legislative body can take to spur incremental development, such as allowing ADUs, duplexes and triplexes in appropriate areas, and how more housing supply in the central core will benefit all residents. Give them extra points if they can describe how the suburban development pattern strains local budgets and propagates a more dangerous transportation network (see below).

2. What are your transportation priorities?

Car exclusivity has made our cities and states less solvent and endanger our citizens. A candidate who would like to fix the problem will talk about making pedestrian safety a primary goal, even if it affects speed limits or surface parking. They’ll advocate for multi-modal transportation options and infrastructure investment. Bonus points to any candidate who uses the word stroad. 

3. Where is our city’s most productive land?

Exclusively suburban development patterns result land use that is vastly less productive per acre than how traditional towns evolved. Yet many elected officials (and economic development professionals) prefer something shiny and new even if the benefits don’t add up. In addition, low-income neighborhoods are often more profitable for towns than more upscale ones. This question is a good gauge to determine whether the candidate understands the complexity of your local economy and will make good decisions about where to invest municipal resources.

4. Where do you see people struggling in our community?

There are tangible things officials at all levels of governments can do to make things better for their neighbors and constituents. A satisfying answer may include two tracks—macro challenges such as finding affordable housing, and granular ones like walking through dangerous intersections—and prioritizing inexpensive, incremental solutions. Be wary of any candidate who says they can solve all of your problems with a large public works project.

5. What people or organizations do you take guidance and advice from?

There are many organizations seeking meaningful changes in the way Utah cities do development and infrastructure. Listen carefully to this answer to hear which voices a candidate is likely to heed in their decision making. Ideally you’ll learn from the examples they cite whether they plan to be humble observers, make small bets, and manage your city’s resources wisely.