Scott Howell:

"Good evening. I'm Scott Howell, the Utah Senate Democratic leader. In the past years, we've followed the governor's address with what we call the Democratic Response-Actually, the Democratic party's position on the issues we feel are important to Utahns.

But this year, we're not giving a partisan speech. Nothing about the Republicans outta be doing this and the Democrats ought to be doing that. What we want to talk about is what's best for each and every citizen in Utah. Over the next few minutes, we'll be talking a lot about common sense. Some very basic things that override the boundaries of partisan politics. Very shortly, we'll be going to my good friend and colleague, Representative Dave Jones at Hawthorne Elementary School. He'll be talking to people like you and me, who represent the vast majority of Utahns, and getting their perspective on allowing guns in churches and schools.

Then Senator Paula Julander will be at the American Cancer Society in Salt Lake talking about the unique opportunity we have with the federal tobacco money that's coming into our state. We need to make sure all of this money is used to educate the people of Utah-and especially our children-on the dangers of smoking and treating addictions. It just makes sense.

Then you'll see Representative Patrice Arent at an elementary school. She'll be showing how important it is to update our textbooks and libraries so our kids can get a decent education and compete in this new global economy over the next 20 years.

Well that's it.

These aren't political issues. They are ideas that the vast majority of Utahns favor, because it's just common sense. But somehow, they've gotten lost in the priorities of our legislature.

Now, let's go to Representative Dave Jones at Hawthorne:

Dave Jones:

Thanks Scott, most of us would agree that guns have a place in our culture and society. Like many of you, my family and I have enjoyed hunting and target shooting in the past. But common sense tells us there are just some places where guns don't need to be - and schools and churches are among those places. Utah is just one of a handful of states that allow concealed weapon permit holders to carry guns into schools. I'm here at Hawthore Elementary to talk to parents and students about how they feel about allowing guns in our churches and schools.

[Various impromptu interviews with parents; children]

Democratic leaders in the legislature think this issue is a no-brainer, and for years, we've had to struggle just to get this issue on the agenda. This year, we'll try again. This is not a radical idea, just a common sense, rational, reasonable approach to school safety. And it's something the vast majority of all Utahns agree with.

Scott Howell:

"Another common-sense decision we just have to make for our children's futures is stopping the growing epidemic of tobacco and drug abuse right here in Utah. And the opportunity is now, thanks to a huge historic lawsuit, our Attorney General Jan Graham, won against big tobacco companies.

Utah gets to share in almost a billion dollar settlement over the next 20 years, and we need to make sure those funds the way they were intended. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a difference.

Here's Senator Paula Julander, our Democratic Whip, also a registered nurse, to tell us more."

Paula Julander:

"Thanks, Scott. Did you know that more than 200,000 Utahns use tobacco every day? As alarming as that is, this is even more frightening: the number of Utah children who try tobacco is increasing at an alarming rate.

In fact, 15 years ago, the American Cancer Society says just 9% of teens in Utah smoked. Two years ago, that number jumped to almost 15% of our teens and it's a number that is still growing.

This year, 16% of our children will smoke some form of tobacco. And here's maybe the most alarming statistic of all: each year some 8,000 children in Utah start smoking!

Common sense tells us we need to do more to help our kids. Especially when you consider that tobacco is considered a "gateway" drug, the first step on what can be a deadly path to more serious health risks.

As Scott said, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help educate our kids on the risks of tobacco and other drug use. Over the next few weeks, we'll be working hard to make sure we use this money as it was intended-on education and other programs--and not just put it in the general fund or filling potholes as some members of the legislature have proposed.

Tobacco use prematurely killed more than 1,200 Utahns in 1996-that's more than any other risky behavior, including illegal drug use. It just makes sense to do all we can to help our kids.

Scott Howell:

Perhaps the most important issue our legislature will address this year is education. It's the future of our children. This new century must be one where our commitment to education is beyond grade 12. In order to give our children every competitive advantage we must give them every tool that they need in order to compete in this new global economy. Now, let's visit Representative Patrice Arent, our Assistant Democratic Leader in the House, Patrice:

Patrice Arent:

"Thanks, Scott. I'm sitting in a library at a Salt Lake City public school. In front of me are samples of some of the textbooks our students are using this year. Some that are more than 20 years old. Let me show you one of them.

(PATRICE SHOWS EXAMPLES AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBES: MOST RECENT ELECTION IS CARTER/FORD. MAP INCLUDES EAST AND WEST GERMANY. THE MOST RECENT MAJOR EVENT DESCRIBED IS THE 1976 BICENTENNIAL.)

"Common sense tells us that if we want our kids to be competitive in the 21st century, then we've got to give them the tools they need to compete. And that means textbooks that are not more that 22 years old and enough books for each child. No student should complain they can't do their homework because there are not enough books to take one home. It's that simple.

We applaud the governor's efforts to increase funding for education. But it's not enough. Over the next few weeks, we'll be proposing a way to get our children the new textbooks they desperately need without raising taxes or taking funding out of other critical programs.

By being creative, we can make a simple change in our law that will provide over $60 million dollars to fund textbooks, fill libraries, and supply science labs with the tools our students need right now to learn. And the best news is that it does not increase taxes.

This is our children's future. There is nothing more important than providing them with a world-class education.

Scott Howell:

Thanks Patrice. And I thank all of you for taking the time to watch and hear what we think are very important issues facing this year's legislative session. I think you'll agree the Democratic Party's in touch with mainstream Utah and that the issues that are important to you are the same ones that are important to us. We want to make sure your children feel safe in their schools and places of worship. We want to make sure the federal tobacco money is used for health related issues, and not just to fill potholes. We want to ensure a proper educational system that Utah students deserve. I'm Scott Howell, and during this legislative session, I'm asking you to do only one thing - Watch us. Follow us. Were setting an aggressive issue born of common sense. And on this most important day, Human Rights Day, we honor the memory of Reverend Martin Luther King. Utah Democrats will continue to work tirelessly for the protection and benefit of all Utah families. Thank you and good night.

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