Gary Herbert in 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Continue to increase funding for public schools
Utah has long been committed to funding our public schools, our colleges and universities, and our technical institutions. In fact, few states in the country spend as much of their overall budgets on education as we do. Our unique demographics--which is
a way of saying we have larger families--mean we must continue to increase funding to maintain and enhance the solid education and training our students receive. I cannot say enough about the importance of supporting public education.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Develop natural gas resources while protecting local culture
A much-needed new "state of mind" was recently successfully demonstrated by conservation groups, the Bureau of Land Management, Indian tribes, local governments and oil drilling companies. These groups came together to protect priceless
Indian rock art in Nine Mile Canyon, while still allowing for responsible development of Utah's natural gas resources. This is a prime example of how partnership, combined with leadership, can achieve measurable results for our state.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
No importation of foreign nuclear waste into Utah
Let me be clear: I remain opposed to the importation of foreign nuclear waste into Utah. Certainly, the challenges of being a state with a federally permitted nuclear waste disposal facility are complex and ongoing. My responsibilities on these issues,
on the other hand, are quite simple, and they will not be compromised. As Governor, I will use all available state resources within the law to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Utahns, now and for generations to come.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Government Reform:
Commission to Optimize State Government: do more with less
We created the Advisory Commission to Optimize State Government. The goal of this group is to help the state do more with less in order to benefit all. It is headed by former Governor Norm Bangerter. This diverse and bipartisan group of civic and busines
leaders is taking an inside-out look at all areas of the state. Their efforts will improve our already well-managed state, and, now more than ever, we must achieve new levels of efficiency in state government.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Government Reform:
Guidelines on gifts, lobbying, & conflicts of interest
Today I signed an Executive Order that reaffirms and clarifies guidelines about accepting gifts, participating in lobbying efforts and identifying conflicts of interest. Now is as good a time as any to remind all state employees what
constitutes acceptable and unacceptable conduct.I encourage you, as lawmakers, to remove any perception of possible ethical issues by implementing meaningful and substantive ethics reform.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Health Care:
Increase transparency, access, and choice
We understand public access to medical services is critical. Rather than simply talk--or, more accurately, sometimes fight--about health care reform, Utah has stepped forward with solutions. The Utah Health Exchange is now open for business.This
Utah-crafted solution is an innovative approach to increase transparency in the health care system, to increase access and to increase choice. Already, hundreds of Utahns have coverage in plans they have chosen for themselves. This is a revolutionary
approach to health benefits that will soon be available to even more Utahns.
Our Exchange is one example of how states can--and should--lead the nation on health care reform. We don't want or need a one-size-fits-all program that will balloon our
national deficit and provide questionable care to our citizens. The continued encroachment of the federal government into our businesses, our lives and our pocketbooks must be challenged.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Homeland Security:
Pay tribute to those answering the nation's call to serve
I pay tribute to the many Utahns who have answered the nation's call to serve. Whether it's as a soldier in Afghanistan, a Utah National Guardsman in Iraq, or a humanitarian volunteer in
Haiti or Ambassador Jon and Mary Kaye Huntsman in the People's Republic of China, we give them all our heartfelt thanks.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
On Tax Reform:
Don't stifle citizens & businesses with new tax burdens
We must balance our budget responsibly, and in a way that does not stifle an economy that is finally beginning to show signs of recovery. We need to support our hard-working citizens and businesses, not stifle them with new tax burdens. We need to help
them succeed, not hamper their success. And we need to think toward the future, not just of today. I strongly believe the best thing we can do for our citizens and our economic recovery is to exercise continued fiscal restraint and to not raise taxes!
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018