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Herbert: ‘We now have the ability to invest’

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Gov. Gary Herbert paid homage to the nation’s greatest generation, and its future generations, during his State of the State address Wednesday night.

The governor lauded the strength of the Utah economy as one reason the state could focus on issues that face the next generation. Low unemployment, the creation of 112,000 jobs and pre-recession level reserves were all highlighted in his speech.

“Utah is nationally recognized today as the home of one of the strongest and most diverse economies in America,” he said. “As a result, we now have the ability to invest in important areas that will drive our economy for decades to come.”

Herbert took a strong stance against what he called the overreach of the federal government on topics like land management, education and health care.

“If states fail to stand up and speak out for our right to self-determination, we will lose that right to an ever-expanding federal bureaucracy,” he said.

Rep. Merrill Nelson, R-Grantsville, said he is sponsoring legislation that would give the state the ability to override provisions of federal law that are considered unlawful or harmful. Under the proposed legislation, a two-thirds majority of state legislators will need to oppose the provisions for the override, he said.

“I absolutely agree with [Herbert’s] statements that the federal government overreaches on a multitude of issues,” Nelson said.

Herbert used the State of the State address to promote the Healthy Utah program, which is designed to address the coverage gap between the Affordable Care Act and state Medicaid. Herbert called the Affordable Care Act “deeply flawed and unacceptable,” but said Utah cannot leave money the federal government takes in taxes in Washington, D.C.

Healthy Utah will provide access to private health insurance to thousands of Utahns that fall outside of the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid coverage, he said.

Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-Tooele, said hospitals face a tipping point where they can no longer accept more Medicaid patients, as the state program does not cover many procedures. Herbert’s plan would not increase the number of people receiving Medicaid.

“If we’re not responsible in the way we expand coverage, we can expand coverage and lose care,” Thatcher said.

The governor also made a push to put control of public lands into the hands of the state. Herbert expressed his support of the Public Lands Initiative, which puts public land decisions in the hands of local governments.

“The question is, who will manage our public lands most effectively — the best-managed state in America, or the federal government that is 18 trillion dollars in debt?” Herbert said.

While Thatcher called public land management the biggest issue facing the county, Gillian Johns-Young, Tooele County Democratic chairwoman, said studies have shown taking control of federal lands could be costly for the state.

“That’s not a plausible theory,” she said. “It would just end up costing money.”

Johns-Young said dropping oil prices also disincentivizes drilling or fracking on lands currently managed by the federal government.

Herbert also championed Utah’s control over its education system and increased funding. The governor said he is working to increase state funding for education by $500 million and create a comprehensive, 10-year plan to guide the state’s education future.

“Local school administrators and their boards know more about the needs of their students than anyone,” he said.

Rep. Doug Sagers, R-Tooele, said he believes the state needs to invest more in education but doesn’t support plans to move money from the state transportation budget to do it. Sagers also said there is no support for a one-percent income tax increase that  could create an additional $584 million in revenue.

“Obviously we need to do something to fund education to a higher degree,” he said.

Herbert also made a fleeting reference to a new prison in his speech when discussing the need to reduce the state’s incarceration rate. Thatcher said he’s confident the prison won’t be built in Tooele County.

“I don’t think there’s a chance in hell it goes to Tooele,” he said. “You know why? Because Tooele is not the best location.”

Nelson was also optimistic the prison will remain outside of the county as the site selection process continues.

“I think there’s little risk, at this point, that the prison will end up in Tooele County,” he said. 


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