Alvin R. Lundgren

From WikTOPIA

Here are the responses to candidate questions from Alvin R. Lundgren.

Contents 1 2008 Campaign for State Senate 19 1.1 Candidate Responses 1.2 FreeUTOPIA Position on Candidate 1.2.1 Positive 1.2.2 Mixed 1.2.3 Negative 1.2.4 Overall Rating

2008 Campaign for State Senate 19

Candidate Responses

1. Do you generally support or oppose projects like UTOPIA and iProvo?
   
   Response:"I support this type of development, so long as the costs are absorbed by the service users."
   
   
2. What is the basis for your support or opposition?
   
   Response:"I believe that getting high speed internet to citizens is good for education, business and entertainment."
   
   
3. Is your support or opposition based on the general concept or specific implementations used in UTOPIA and/or iProvo?
   
   Response:"My support is based on the general concepts."
   
   
4. What is your position on the regulation of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) such as Qwest?
   
   Response:"Regulation should be at a level to make sure there is a level playing field for competitors, and reasonable access for those who require access through Qwest."
   
   
5. What is your position on the regulation of incumbent cable companies such as Comcast?
   
   Response:"Similar to Qwest"
   
   
6. What role, if any, should the federal government play in allegations of unfair business practices leveled at incumbent carriers such as Qwest and Comcast?
   
   Response:"The state should not play a significant role, unless such practices amount to fraud, intentional misrepresentation or other serious breach of law. Otherwise these complaints are best resolved in the courts, without state intervention."
   
   
7. What proposals or concepts do you support to bring better broadband access to rurals Utahns?
   
   Response:"I support tax credits or other stimulus to encourage carriers to bring broadband to rural areas."
   
   
8. What proposals or concepts do you support to improve average broadband speeds to be better competitive on an international basis?
   
   Response:"Keep government regulation out of the way so that business competition can encourage the market growth in efficiencies."
   
   
9. What proposals or concepts do you support to increase competitive options for Internet, television and telephone services?
   
   Response:"Keep the government out of the way as much as possible. Limit intrusion to prevention of abusive business practices."
   
   
10. Do you have any other related comments you would like to add?
    
    Response:"The one area I would like to see some government intervention is to do more to restrict access to pornographic, vulgar or other patently puerile sites by minors."
    
    

FreeUTOPIA Position on Candidate

Positive

This candidate shows a willingness to address telecommunications issues, though without any specific proposals. He is also supportive of the general concepts behind iProvo and UTOPIA and is willing to pursue investigations of incumbents should there be strong evidence of illegal activity.

Mixed

While supportive of UTOPIA and iProvo, this candidate sees expenditure of tax monies as too great a cost for such projects.

Negative

This candidate supports a largely passive approach to broadband by using tax credits and relaxed regulation to encourage additional private telecommunications systems.

Overall Rating

Neutral (3/5). This candidate has a mix of both positive and negative attributes.