Utahns don't want or need government to determine their future, Gov. Norm Bangerter said Monday night in his annual State of the State address to the Utah Legislature, which just opened its 45-day session.
Bangerter said, "It is clear that government has a role to play in making this state as safe, prosperous and promising as possible. That is the vision I have for Utah."The governor was clearly answering some of his critics, both within his own Republican Party and outside, in his short address, which was televised live. He stressed again his commitment to education, economic development, efficiency in government and the environment.
He was interrupted a dozen times by applause in one of the best-received State of the State addresses he's given in his six years in office.
Still, Democrats couldn't resist taking several jabs.
"It was OK," said House Minority Whip Frank Pignanelli, D-Salt Lake. "He hit all the right subjects. But the reality is that he saw the education problem come, but instead of conquering it, he ran from it."
While saying Utah's economy is performing well, with 32,700 new jobs created last year reflecting the third fastest growing economy in the nation, Bangerter warned that events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union will likely mean severe cuts in the U.S. defense budget. And that could harm Utah's economy, which depends on a number of defense contractors.
"He warns us about the coming cuts in defense, but then says government shouldn't determine the future," said Peter Billings Jr., Democratic Party state chairman.
"That's exactly what government should be doing, planning ahead to avert this disaster," Billings said.
Bangerter said his various state departments are planning ahead and doing a fine job of it. House Speaker Nolan Karras, R-Roy, was disappointed recently when Bangerter decided not to join in a legislative initiative at strategic long-range planning. Almost in an answer to Karras' initiative, Bangerter said Monday night: "I'm pleased with the long-range planning done by virtually every one of our departments. I have directed our Office of Planning and Budget to showcase these plans to you (legislators) throughout this session."
The governor again praised teachers and the work they do, saying they should get more money. But he also again said that teachers are paid a fair wage considering Utah's cost of living and how other professionals are paid in the state.
"We cannot afford to look at education as a public expenditure to be minimized; it is an investment in the future," Bangerter said. "I have budgeted funds which should solve our textbook shortage. No child will be without proper books and supplies. Furthermore, let's use the money we have available this year to get computers into the classroom and get asbestos out."
With the 6 percent pay raises and other expenditures he said he has recommended for public education, Bangerter said, "We are treating our teachers as fairly as we can - we've done our best."
That is a theme he and Republican legislative leaders will return to again and again as the end of the session nears and teachers decide whether they will go on strike, as they have threatened.
Pignanelli disagreed. "We've not done our best, not by a long way," said Pignanelli. "The 6 percent raise will really turn out to be 3 percent, when you take out health care and other benefit increases. We should repeal the $35 million tax cut given by the Republicans in the September special session. That was just a gift to the rich in this state, and time and again polls show that the people want that money to go for education."
Bangerter drew applause from the House and Senate members when he said there would be no tax increase this session. There will be no more tax decreases, as well, he's said.
Finally, in promising more emphasis on the environment, Bangerter said he's recommending that a new state department be created - the Department of Environmental Quality. That will be studied; it's not in his 1990-91 budget recommendation, but the Legislature could decide to create the department this year by shuffling current personnel.
"It is becoming increasing clear that Utah is once again being contemplated as a destination point for waste of all kinds from all over America. We cannot let this happen," he told the cheering lawmakers.