The "2000 Gubernatorial Games" started Thursday morning with a spirited contest over Olympic funding between the two competitors flying the Republican and Democratic flags.
Gov. Mike Leavitt and Democratic challenger Bill Orton verbally sparred at the Sheraton Hotel over the potential costs to the state for hosting the 2002 Winter Games. The debate, sponsored by the Utah League of Cities and Towns, was the first of a 12-round schedule of contests between the two candidates before the Nov. 7 general election.
What if Utah ends up with a financial hangover after the 2002 Winter Games?
Leavitt says that won't happen.
"The answer to that question has already been answered: There will be no deficit," he said.
Ticket sales, television revenue and sponsorships will pay for the Olympics, he said.
Orton isn't so sure. "I am extremely concerned about how the budget process of the Olympics is going," he said.
Orton said he would go to the Legislature for increases in the transient room tax and food tax "for a period of time," shifting the burden to Olympic visitors.
The Democratic challenger tried to pin the two-term GOP governor down on whether he had reviewed the Olympic budgets since 1996 and whether the state has a plan to cover any losses. Leavitt replied that the state looked over the budgets according to its "obligation" but avoided answering the second question.
A crowd of several hundred city leaders from throughout the state packed the hotel's Three Seasons Ballroom. One wanted to know whether non-venue cities would have to cover law enforcement and medical services costs incurred during the Olympics.
"I don't think there is a plan to help you," Orton said, adding he doesn't think there's even a backup plan in the event there is no snow in 2002 or a federal trial three months before the Winter Games, a clear reference to the pending case against former Salt Lake bid leaders Tom Welch and Dave Johnson. Local governments "will not be left holding the bag," Orton said.
Leavitt said the state is currently coordinating with local police leaders and that a budget is laid out. He said municipalities will not bear "hard" costs.
The two candidates threw good-natured barbs at each other throughout the hourlong debate, which touched on issues such as transportation, open space and education.
Leavitt ran down a litany of economic accomplishments under his administration the last four years, to which Orton responded, "Governor, you have many memories you can remember in your retirement."
"Four years from now," Leavitt quickly replied.
Orton used his closing statement to challenge Leavitt to a one-hour debate solely on education, the issue both have put at the top of their priority lists.
"It deserves attention for a full hour," Orton said. "Let's do it."
Leavitt was noncommittal in his response: "We've got 11 more (debates) and I bet we'll spend five hours on it between now and the election."
E-mail: romboy@desnews.com