Defeat Dakota Pacific project by reelecting Rep. Birkeland
I write to support Representative Kera Birkeland’s re-election for Utah House. Not only is she the only candidate who recognizes how HB 462 (enabling the Dakota-Pacific project) directly harms the district and her constituents here in Summit County—she’s leading the fight against it.
In March 2022, Governor Cox signed HB 462, the so-called “Utah Housing Affordability Amendments” into law. This law imposes land use mandates that negatively affect many counties and municipalities—especially Summit County. One clause even specifically targets Summit County, enabling the Dakota Pacific project. Rep. Birkeland knows that more density means more traffic and more headaches at Kimball Junction—not to mention municipal resources for which there is absolutely no allocation and for which we citizens—not Dakota Pacific—will have to pay, from water to police and fire personnel, to new school rooms and teachers.
HB 462 embodies the type of government overreach that Rep. Birkeland will always oppose. Utah state government should not mandate zoning to local communities. Local community members know how to govern themselves best. And we certainly don’t need lobbyists & politicians in Salt Lake City mandating how we manage our own community.
By increasing density, HB 462 completely undermines the needs and well-being of Summit County. It is wrong for the state legislature to impose mandatory land use provisions, especially when such provisions are contrary not only to our community needs and also against the will of its people. As our State Representative, Rep. Birkeland will stand against any bill that impedes individual and/or local autonomy, freedom, and choice.
Let’s repeal HB 462, let’s defeat the Dakota Pacific project, and let’s re-elect Rep. Birkeland!
Allison Cook
Park City