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Show Utah 2005 Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr and can-do spirit by asking parents and grandparents to come back to the classroom for purposes of mentoring, tutoring, and career guidance. I am also encouraging business leaders to become more actively involved with education through implementing programs that unite them with parents, teachers, and students. It is time that every child had a learning environment that catered to their needs so they can have the education they deserve. Quality of Life While we are fortunate that this year's economic picture is bright, many unmet needs must be addressed. First, while the dedicated people who serve the State of Utah recently received their first pay raise in a few years-a 2.5% cost of living increase and a 2% increase in benefit coverage-we still need to focus on providing them the wages and benefits they need and deserve. Also, I was pleased that several million dollars were made available to help provide medical and dental benefits for those under the Medicaid program who recently lost this important need. Meeting the needs of the under-insured and uninsured will continue to be one of our state's greatest financial challenges. Transportation issues must also be addressed now if we are to avoid total gridlock later. Promises made must be promises kept. For example, when it comes to the Legacy Highway, let's build it. And when it comes to taking the steps necessary to build commuter rail, let's take them. I have tasked Lieutenant Governor Herbert to work with legislators and residents from throughout Utah to do what we must to improve our roads, enhance our water systems, and make certain that Utah's infrastructure is in solid, working condition. Recently I visited Lindon, Utah, to sign House Bill 1008. This legislation provides a roadmap of how transportation projects should proceed and outlines how they should be funded. It provides $154 million in on-going funding of state transportation needs, including $30 million in one-time funds for an additional HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane for I-15 in Utah County. The cost to maintain and enhance Utah's transportation system is huge. Some estimate the total bill is $7 billion dollars. However, the cost of not taking the necessary steps is greater. Utah is the fifth fastest growing state in the nation. Like education and health care, our needs will only increase in the future. One item that continually concerns us all is something that could negatively impact our state for generations to come. It is the storage of radioactive waste. I will continue to work with our federal delegation to prevent nuclear waste generated in other states from being transported across our state and stored here indefinitely. I am very pleased that during the first 100 days, concerns about the possible storage of B & C nuclear waste in our state have been resolved. The company that once sought to store B & C nuclear waste withdrew its request to do so. The leg- islature passed and I signed a bill prohibiting this waste from being stored in our state in the future. We have initiated measures that will help to protect our unparalleled quality of life. We live in Utah because of what it represents: home, family, and hope. No matter where you travel or how you travel-north, south, east or west-you meet some of the finest people doing the most marvelous things for the betterment of their loved ones, their community, and their state. I encounter good people in city parks, local cafes, churches, on ranches, and in high-rises-virtually everywhere I go. Each time my heart is touched and I am reminded that it is my sacred duty and responsibility to make sure we have a viable, core infrastructure-and plan to pay for it-to meet our growing needs well into the future. Governance Finally, we will focus on excellence in governance. I have sought to minimize politics and maximize service. I have appointed individuals from both sides of the political aisle to my administration. My goal continues to be to reach out to those who want to make a positive difference for our state. To those who have grown tired and cynical, to those of the emerging generation who think political activism is extinct, I offer the pure spirit of public service, not as a protector of the status quo, but as an agent of change. I will continue to push for legislation that ensures the ethics of those who serve in the executive branch of government-the area that I am responsible to oversee. As governor, I believe in term limits. No governor should serve more than two terms. During the 2006 Legislative Session I will work again to see a bill passed that will place on the ballot the chance for all Utahns to decide this issue. My administration will also focus on campaign-finance reform to keep fairness and transparency in government. I strongly believe these measures will make us more accountable for our actions and give us the ability to serve you, who in turn will have greater confidence in your public servants. Conclusion As a newcomer to elected politics just completing my first 100 days of service, I recognize that the plan we are working toward is not easy. But it does outline the way for a better Utah. It won't work without cooperation between all branches of government. It won't be achieved tomorrow or within the next month. But it will be accomplished as we put partisanship aside and rally together toward a common destiny of jobs, education and quality of life. My desire as the 16th governor of the greatest state in America is to serve each of you to my fullest potential, to listen to your concerns, and work with you to find solutions. 60 |