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State of the State
Governor Huntsman gave his State of the State last night in Fillmore. There was, as expected, some grousing about the trip, but overall, it seems to have been a special event, made more so by the sheer joy that was evident in the faces of Fillmore’s citizens as well as Huntsman himself. The main issues: nuclear waste, economic development, school teacher salaries, and ethics reform:
Huntsman surprised some by suggesting that hotter levels of nuclear waste could be banned from Utah once and for all during this session of the Legislature.
“My position on this is clear: B and C waste will not be dumped in Utah,” the governor said, adding that by the time the session is over, “we should no longer be discussing the possibility” of the hotter waste coming to Utah.
Huntsman emphasized economic development, just as he did during his campaign. “When it comes to economic development, treading water will not be acceptable in my administration,” he said.
Tax reform, the governor said, will create “an environment of opportunity” that will help raise Utah wages. He reiterated his call for a change in the formula used to calculate corporate income taxes, eventually eliminating them altogether.
“The last time we had a major revision in the tax code was 1959 — before I was born,” the 44-year-old leader said. “It is time for a change.”
Also on his agenda is raising the salaries of schoolteachers and state workers. Elementary school teachers would also receive an additional $300 for classroom supplies, Huntsman said.
Ethics reform — at least for the executive branch — also earned a place in the speech. That includes full disclosure, campaign-finance reform and a mandatory, one-year cooling-off period before the governor’s appointees can become lobbyistsFrom deseretnews.com | New vision in Utah’s old statehouse
Referenced Wed Jan 19 2005 09:22:10 GMT-0700
Interestingly, there was no stunt baby, the people (usually children) who studded all of Governor Leavitt’s addresses to the legislature. Huntsman held up only a laminated card on which were printed his “four common-sense fundamentals” for his administration.
Afterwards, Huntsman bought burgers for those in attendance and passed them out. Now its down to business in the temporary legislative offices and chambers on the hill. I haven’t been up there this week, but I understand its a little crowded and there’s not much room in the galleries. What better time to emphasize video streaming?
Posted by windley on January 19, 2005 09:16 AM
