Roger Barrus

For House District 18

Centerville - Farmington - West Bountiful - Woods Cross

Representative Roger Barrus was raised on a small family farm in Southeast Idaho where he learned the values of work, independence and self-sufficiency.  Later as a student at Utah State University, he embarked into a new degree program from the College of Engineering that would lead to a career in the fledgling disciplines of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Health, primarily in the energy industry.  He retired from that career in 2005. 

Representative Barrus is happily married to his lovely bride, Laurel.  They are proud parents of four children who have wonderful spouses and ten grandchildren (with one more on the way).  He raised his family in West Bountiful and Centerville.  Representative Barrus says he has no hobbies, just projects.  Nearly half of his time is now consumed serving in various legislative capacities.  He spends whatever leisure time he can find in land development and construction activities, where he says it is satisfying to see that you have actually accomplished something at the end of the day (which doesn’t happen nearly as often in politics).   

Representative Barrus was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2000.  He has served on the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee since being elected and has chaired that Committee since 2005.  His primary emphasis while serving as Chairman has been to develop Utah's energy policy and assure that our state's vast portfolio of energy resources are all developed to meet the needs of our state and nation.  Some of these energy resources are located on School and Institutional Trust Lands, which will provide significant royalties for public education. In addition to energy, Representative Barrus takes an active role in shaping our state’s water and environmental policies.  He also serves on the Revenue and Tax Committee where state tax policy begins. The legislature has passed $320 million in tax relief since 2005 by reducing personal income tax, partial removal of sales tax on food and a reduction of business taxes, which helps spur our economy.  As a member of the Legislature’s Healthcare Reform Taskforce, he is also working to improve the quality, affordability, insurability, portability and accessibility of healthcare in our state. Energy, healthcare, economy and taxes are some of the most pressing issues to families in our state. They will continue to be his focus during another term in the Legislature.  For further information on Representative Barrus, visit his website at www.rogerbarrus.com.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve.  Please visit my website at www.rogerbarrus.com