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Sam Penrod ReportingUtah's new governor rolled out her plans to lead Utah for the next year and expects to see real accomplishments. Governor Walker officially took the reins of governor just two days ago, but appears to be wasting no time in cracking the whip on state government.
The new governor announced what she calls the "Walker Work Plan", three separate goals to improve Utah under her 14 month administration: maximizing human potential, working smarter, and improving Utah today and tomorrow.
Gov. Walker: "Something I could accomplish in 400 days or at least get started so it would continue on."
Walker signed her first official executive order, creating an extensive communications network for emergency personnel that will reach across the state.
Gov. Walker: "No matter where you are in this state you can communicate. It's called the UN system and it will help us identify technology that will be used in Utah to keep this world safe."
What the communications network will do is help to give state, county and local emergency agencies the ability to communicate directly. In addition, the end goal will be to transmit data.
For example, an officer's dash camera could be sent in real time to other officers responding to the same emergency. It’s the ability of GPS tracking, to see the exact location of emergency vehicles. And the plan will take technology already being used extensively along the Wasatch Front and put it in rural areas of Utah, where backup officers can be miles away.
Capt. Jim Matthies, Utah Highway Patrol: "It will give them all of these capabilities to where they have the ability to run things in their car, they can run a plate before ever stop it. They know if a vehicle is wanted before they ever make a stop. It just enhances officer safety."
And the new governor expects results, setting a deadline of July of next year for the first phase of this communications network to be up and running.
Gov. Walker: "I'm very excited. It is the first project we are rolling out and it will be the first of many."
Tonight the new governor will be honored during an Inaugural Gala--a black tie event celebrating the beginning of her term as governor.
