Jon Huntsman in 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Education: UCAT system: technical college for industry needs

Workforce demands in quantitative skills continue to increase; yet, our workforce preparation is inadequate. We can and must do better in embracing our knowledge-based economy.

The Utah College of Applied Technology was created to be responsive to industry and meet the demands of a growing technical workforce. While there are still issues to be ironed out, but we all agree on the goal: a UCAT system that is more responsive to real-time business needs and is more accessible to Utah's students.

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

On Education: Early learning is critical; so are languages & math

Early childhood learning is critical for their long-term success, quality of life and our state's competitive edge in attracting world-class jobs. Early results indicate kindergarten students are 6 times better prepared for a successful first grade experience if they attended full-day kindergarten.

We are leading the nation in educating our kids in 21st century languages like Chinese and Arabic. So, to the thousands of students studying Mandarin Chinese I say: Gongx gongx. "Congratulations!"

Yet, our kids' literacy in these critical foreign languages must be matched by their mastery of numbers, an area that is in need of strengthening. We must keep pace. Through additional emphasis and reprioritizing, I have asked both public and higher ed to make this year the "Year of Math."

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

On Energy & Oil: Make Utah the premier destination for renewable energy

If we are going to take air quality seriously, which we must for the sake of the next generation, we must be bold; we must be visionary. Our aspirations should be nothing short of extraordinary.

Just as Wall Street is known for finance and Silicon Valley for technology, by 2012, I believe Utah can become the premier destination in America for renewable energy!

And don't tell me it can't be done! In just this past year alone, we have witnessed in Utah the opening of a solar farm, a hydroelectric plant, a wind farm and a geothermal plant. To support this energy development, innovation at our higher education campuses is running at an all-time high, like technologies that will ensure the long-term viability of our abundant natural resources. The University of Utah is now second only to MIT in commercialization of cutting-edge research.

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

On Health Care: Truly affordable insurance: pathway to coverage for everyone

Nowhere is major surgery needed more than in accessing affordable healthcare. I'm sorry to have to say it again this year, but skyrocketing healthcare costs are bankrupting businesses and leaving too many Utahns with no options at all. In a state as compassionate as ours, certainly we can find a better way to cover the uninsured.

We are going to find policies that are affordable, the political will to enact them and, through perseverance, provide a pathway to coverage for everyone. Therefore, I am asking all involved: doctors, insurance companies, consumers and we in this chamber to close the gap on the uninsured by 2012. Let's begin this session by passing the task force legislation to develop a truly affordable insurance policy. But this is not enough. We must connect all people to the healthcare they need. A truly affordable policy and the means by which to connect all people will be done in this state, this year!

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

On Local Issues: Designate I-15 from ID to AZ as natural gas corridor

Our goal will be to designate Interstate 15 from Idaho to Arizona as a natural gas corridor! It makes sense--working with Questar, a great local company--to encourage the use of natural gas which emits almost no pollution, is more affordable and most importantly, is a domestic fuel found right here in our own backyard.

This will require adding infrastructure, looking differently at our regulatory approach and demanding that we look beyond the here and now.

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

On Principles & Values: Reach beyond traditional political boundaries for solutions

We are beginning a new chapter for our nation and for our state. There is a sense of anxiety, pain, heartache and, yes, hope, on display almost everywhere. Today's economic conditions make it imperative that we ensure a level of trust between the people who call Utah home and their elected officials. In a time of financial distress, inadequate healthcare, a shaky housing market and apprehensiveness, we must reach beyond traditional political boundaries in seeking solutions that are uniquely our own.

Our first and most urgent priority must be to prudently and wisely balance our budget, as we always have. Let's not forget, unlike many other states, we have tools we can utilize, and with these options we have added flexibility in minimizing impacts to our most critical priorities. Our discussions should be conducted with civility, respect and a recognition of the challenging circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address Jan 27, 2009

The above quotations are from 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Jon Huntsman. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018