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Get to Know Senator Dave L. Thomas
Here is a simple interview (conducted by Bryan Catherman) with Senator Dave L. Thomas. Below are the questions e-mailed to him, as well as his responses:1. To get started, we need the basics: name, district, party, number of terms, what you do when you are not in session, and any other bio-style info you wish to share.
Senator David L. Thomas (R)
Senate District 18 (representing Ogden, South Ogden, Washington Terrace, Uintah, South Weber, Layton, Hill AFB, Sunset, Davis County and Weber County)
I was born in Washington, DC, but my family roots are in Ogden so I eventually found my way back home. I graduated from BYU in Finance and received my JD Law degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. My first job as an attorney was as a deputy prosecutor for Williamsburg. I served on active duty with the US Army as a Judge Advocate and, in that capacity, was for a time the city attorney for the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba refugee camps. I am married to the former Lynn Stosich of Twin Falls, Idaho, and have four children ranging in age from 9 to 16. When not in the Legislature, I am the Chief Civil Deputy County Attorney for Summit County, and have been active in the scouting organization. I am a proud father, all three of my boys are Eagle Scouts.
2. Now that the bio is out of the way, do you enjoy serving in elected office? Why or why not?
I am excited to be serving in the Legislature. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve others and make a difference in our State.
3. What do you wish to accomplish this session? Any bills you are pushing? Any projects you wish to share with the readers?
I am known as the tort reform king in the Legislature. Perhaps its my experiences as a trial attorney that makes me want to reform the system. I have seen many abuses by attorneys. The State Bar seems ineffectual at curbing abuses and the new Rules of Civilty passed by the Supreme Court are not mandatory. We need real change or our judicial system will continue to be overwhelmed. The most shocking thing I have heard is during a meeting of the Judiciary Committee where the Utah Trial Lawyers Association asserted that not one attorney in Utah has filed a frivolous lawsuit. I have seen dozens and dozens of them filed in Utah. I am one who believes that we need reform. To that end, I am proposing two bills this session. The first, prohibits expert witnesses from taking contingency fees for their testimony. This unethical practice has been outlawed in 9 States, but not Utah. The second, allows doctors to apologize to patients without the apology being used against them in court. It is part of the Sorryworks Coalition. The idea is to open up the medical community to admit faults when they occur and make amends to patients (that means monetary settlements). The system now is so adversarial that both doctors and patients lose. In Colorado and Michigan, where this has been tried, the cost of medical malpractice claims has gone down dramatically. At the same time, the monetary settlements to patients has remained constant. The overall success may allow the high cost of insurance to begin to decrease in those States. That’s what I want for Utah. We continue to have double digit insurance increases — that has to end. This bill will help to do that.
4. What do you feel is the most pressing issues facing Utah this year?
The most pressing issue facing Utah is growth — how to sustain it and how to manage it. I am one who believes strongly that locals do a much better job than the State in managing growth. However, the State has a role in giving local governments the tools to sustain that growth and manage it.
5. Why did you originally seek elected office?
I got into politics because growing up in Washington, DC it was in my blood. I remember becoming frustrated with the Legislature one year and then County Commissioner Gary Herbert (now Lt Gov) telling me that if I didn’t like it, I should become more involved. So there, I am more involved.
6. If you had the opportunity to speak to a young person thinking about running in their first election, what would you tell them?
I would tell a young person enterring politics to understand that you need a thick skin. Many people will attack you, most of it unjustified. You need to understand who you represent even when they are the ones beating up on you. You have to do what is in their best interests. Remember what Winston Churchill implored, “never give up.”
7. Just two more fun ones. What CD is in your CD player right now, or what book are you reading today?
I currently have a Josh Groban CD in the machine and am reading the Biography of Joseph Smith by Lloyd Dewey. .
8. Do you consider yourself more of a dog person or a cat person?
No Answer Provided.
9. Anything else you wish to share? (Consider this an open opportunity to rant or go to town. It’s open mic night!)
No Answer Provided.
Sen. Thomas, thanks for taking the time and sharing some stuff about you. I hope the session is a successful and productive one for you.
Posted by catherman on January 17, 2006 09:40 AM
