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Democrats
The Democrats were excited to hear education, health care and the environment addressed in the governor's State of the State address Tuesday.
"Now if we can just accomplish all the things he's said," Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, said with a laugh.
Sen. Patricia Jones, D-Salt Lake City, emphasized the importance of funding the new students. "We need to educate our kids if we're going to have them," Jones said.
The governor's statement concerning parents getting actively engaged raised hopes for the Democrats.
"We need to get parents involved in their children's education," said Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City. "Not necessarily in the schools grading papers and volunteering, but in the actual education of their children."
Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, also addressed colleges and higher education by saying he hopes to put a freeze on tuition. He also said he hopes to take the sales tax off of text books for those students.
The GOP
Republican leaders liked much of Huntsman's speech.
Valentine and his House counterpart, Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said afterward that many of the issues the governor cited are already being addressed in bills, from year-round school to health-care reform.
"Those are consistent philosophies that we're also trying to follow," Valentine said.
They were also encouraged by what Huntsman didn't take a firm stance on: tax cuts. While the governor's proposed budget doesn't include one, the Legislature is mulling a $100 million relief package, mostly in property taxes. Valentine said he took it as "come to the table, let's have a discussion." |
