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Stock markets around the world are in turmoil, and the U.S. government is considering a $150 billion shot in the arm to the ailing economy, but on Tuesday, Utah appeared to be the eye of the storm.
"We have the nation's premier economy. And during times of uncertainty, we will work even harder to keep it that way," said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. during his annual State of the State address. It was the governor's first State of the State address in the Capitol, which is undergoing a $200 million renovation and has been closed for four years. Health care Like the Capitol's renovation, the governor says health care in the state is "crying out for a fix." "We have a fractured system that is economically unsustainable," he said. One in eight Utahns are without health insurance, and many more fear that losing or changing a job will leave them without, the governor said. Fewer than half the companies in the state offer health insurance, and premiums have doubled in eight years. This year he is proposing to spend $30 million to set up reform framework on the back of a bill sponsored by Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, and Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse. It's a multi year effort that will include private and public input and addresses everything from affordable plans to individual responsibility. Economic engine To keep Utah's economy strong in uncertain times, it needs more companies like Orem-based Omniture. While the company has yet to show a net profit, its sustained growth was enough to make a public offering. "Thanks to the entrepreneurs, innovators and hard workers of our state, our economy is just beginning to fill the measure of its destiny -- as a state should whose motto is industry," Huntsman said. The state's red-hot economy has boosted personal income 10 percent over the past year, Huntsman said. That combined with tax reform by lawmakers has lowered residents' tax burden from one of the nation's highest to more middle-of-the-pack. It also has erased the excuses for inadequate teacher pay that has led to educators fleeing the state for greener pastures. Education Teachers received $2,500 raises last year and will get another one this year, barring a meltdown in revenue projections. The governor would like to continue with the raises for the next four years to surpass the national average. Along with more raises, the state is in desperate need of more good teachers. Huntsman said 2,300 teachers graduate from Utah schools annually, but the state needs to have 1,000 additional teachers graduating every year. He wants to reach that goal in four years. He also wants principals to be able to reward good teachers and replace the bad ones. Along with raising the bar for teachers, Huntsman wants to raise the bar for students. "Our kids are given way too many standardized tests, with little information flowing back," he said. Huntsman wants to explore year-round education for remediation or acceleration of studies during the summer months. "The global economy doesn't take summers off, neither should we," Huntsman said. |
