This week, Utah's legislators reinforced the stigma that state and national legislatures are slaves to special interests rather than the servants of the people.
Lip service about becoming a hotbed for the high-tech economy is commonplace among Utah's governing class. But the guarantee extended to Geneva Steel amounts to an enormous investment in a centuries-old industry at the cost of improving the environment and cutting taxes — two key areas to attracting real technology firms and entrepreneurs. When President Bush returns home to his free-trade senses, Utah taxpayers will be left to pay off one big liability.
I'm not sure I can blame those from an earlier century who did not recognize the folly of building a steel plant in the middle of an inversion-prone valley. However, we must hold accountable those who voted to prop up the failed venture who's only competitive advantage seems to be securing political favor at the national (tariffs) and state (loan guarantees) levels.
Hans Hortin
Phoenix