While declining to name any of Utah's fledgling militia movements, Gov. Mike Leavitt said Thursday that state law officers routinely watch groups and individuals "that worry us."
Leavitt said there is no ongoing investigation of Utah militias, which have been growing in number over the past several years.Suspected Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh had connections with a Michigan militia, but it's not clear if he was an active member.
Speaking at his monthly KUED press conference, Leavitt said he believes in the freedoms specified in the Bill of Rights, such as free association and gun ownership.
"There's nothing wrong with people getting together to study (constitutional) issues or anything like that," said Leavitt. "We should be able to debate all issues, debate any ideology - and do it peacefully."
But when such ideology begins to cross the line - "when they break the law, bomb us, kill innocent women and children, that is a despicable act. We will not stand for advocating violence."
He said militias, in which citizens dress up in military uniforms and conduct military maneuvers, tend "to worry us all. We don't understand the need for such actions. But are (militias and their members) dangerous to other people? That is the question we have to answer."
He said within hours of the Oklahoma City bombing a week ago, threats were being phoned into Utah federal facilities and some state buildings. "This always seems to happen" after such a tragic event, said Leavitt. "I don't understand why some people do such things."
But the answer is not greater federal policing powers, said Leavitt. "Law enforcement must stay at the local and state level. It makes no sense to believe that the federal government could protect us (from domestic terrorism) any more than it could clean our water, pick up our garbage" or perform any other function that local and state government can do better.
On other subjects, Leavitt said "it would really be nice" if growing state revenue would allow a tax cut next year. Leavitt, all of the Utah House and half of the Utah Senate are up for re-election in 1996.
But Leavitt said it is way too early to tell if state revenue will stay that strong.
He said he's begun new consultations with state and local officials about where the state should be going over the next 10 years - on roads, water, clean air and other matters. His answer hinted that huge state needs in the next decade could preclude large tax cuts in the future. "We have to look at the long-term quality of life in this state - in 13 years the number of cars on our roads will double, we have to create 30,000 jobs a year or our children will have to leave the state to get a job. We have to address those things."