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VIDEO: Watch the State of the State and the Democratic Party ResponseRichard Piatt reporting
The state of Utah's overall economy was a big topic in Gov. Jon Huntsman's State of the State address. Tuesday night's speech was a challenge to both the legislature and the public to keep the state moving forward.
That challenge goes for the economy, for education, even cleaning up air quality. The governor's challenge to the state is to reach higher.
It was Gov. Huntsman's first State of the State address in the old Capitol, but the sense of history quickly gave way to a vision for the future in his speech. From talking to people, the Governor set goals about health care, teacher salaries and air quality.
Especially in the area of health care system reform, the governor says Utah needs to strive for better. "In a state that prides itself on practical solutions, this issue is crying out for a fix," he said. In Utah, health care costs are skyrocketing, and more than 300,000 people don't have health insurance. Reform is going to be a huge challenge.
There were some slaps on the back for legislators: For tax reform taking effect this year and the healthiest state economy in the nation. And from that economic strength, Huntsman issued another challenge: Higher pay for teachers.
"Since historically our state has lagged in economic strength, we've always used that excuse to explain our inadequate salaries for teachers. Those days are gone! And there is light at the end of the tunnel," Gov. Huntsman said.
There is a sense these broad goals are doable from Lawmakers of both parties.
House Minority Leader Rep. Brad King said, "His intent is to build some momentum in the public, and I think that's where it needs to happen."
President of the Senate, John Valentine said, "We're focusing on some of the same issues, health care and education. Those are also issues we're very interested in."
Rep. Greg Curtis, Speaker of the House, said, "Everybody wants good education for their children and grandchildren, everybody wants available health care. So he's saying, as a public, let's engage."
With the presidential campaigns going on, it seems a lot of people are tuned into what government is doing these days. It's an election year for many lawmakers and the Governor, too.
During his address, Gov. Huntsman honored special guests in the Capitol: two war heroes, retired World War II Marine George Wahlen, Utah's only surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient; and Utah National Guardsman Gordon Ewell, who carried out 59 combat missions in Iraq and was hit six times. The governor also welcomed Dr. Mario Capecchi of the University of Utah, who won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his work in genetics.
Two women were also pointed out, Karen Mayne for taking the Senate seat of her late husband, Ed Mayne. He was also a labor leader here in Utah; and Wendy Black, widow of Dale Black who lost his life trying to rescue six other coal miners trapped in the Crandall Canyon mine.
