Incentive Proposal

I propose a plan of financial incentives similar to those used in private industry to keep the qualified teachers we have in these areas, and add at least 850 teachers who have master's degrees in learning technology. I propose a one-time benefit of as much as $20,000 on top of their existing salaries in exchange for a commitment to stay in Utah schools for four years.

Outstanding teachers in other disciplines willing to retool themselves in these high demand areas are also eligible. The state will pay for their master's degree in technology or their certificate in math and give them a retention contract when they graduate.

Quality of Life

In a world where most jobs can be located anywhere, now, more than ever, preserving our quality of life is an economic imperative. The natural beauty of Utah and opportunities for recreation are a major draw. For this reason I ask you to join me in a major drive to spruce up, clean up and keep up our state parks and monuments.

These are our heritage. Likewise, I propose a new initiative to devote 1 percent of our streams and rivers to truly great fly fishing. By dedicating these waters to quality...catch-and- release fisheries, and by devoting the revenue they generate to improving streams and habitat, we can create a system of Heritage Waters that will not only preserve a wonderful part of our culture and recreation, but it will be an economic boon for the areas in which these waters reside.

Nuclear Waste

In the New Economy, quality of life is an economic development tool. One thing that could seriously compromise the livability and safety of our state is high-level nuclear waste.

Once again, let our voices be heard: We do not want it here, and we will continue to use every legal, environmental, legislative and political tool available to ban nuclear fuel rods from this state.

I fully endorse the legislation carried by Senator Terry Spencer, which will outlaw these companies' use of our resources, keep them from getting services and tax them to the fullest extent allowable under the constitution.

There will be no compromise here.

We will continue our fight to gain quiet title to every RS 2477 road in this state all 5,000 of them. They are our roads; and our rights. We welcome the possibility that on this and other public land issues we can work with the new Bush administration to solve problems that have created economic uncertainty and social turmoil for generations.

Now is the time.

Last week we brought another lawsuit to give Utah the 4th Congressional seat it deserves. The issue is clear: how can 15,000 easily identifiable Utahns on humanitarian or religious service not be counted when others in government service are? Our cause is just; the census count was not.

Electricity

There are few things that could kill an economy or life quality like a lack of reliable electric supply. Due to complex economic, environmental and regulatory issues, the West has not kept up in developing energy resources.

Conservation is an important short-term solution; more production is a long-term necessity. Our state will participate as a partner in creating a regional solution to this problem. But California must join us in conservation efforts and find solutions to their disastrous deregulation scheme.

California consumers cannot be shielded from the true cost of power while major utilities are allowed to perish in bankruptcy and consumers in other western states are left to pick up the tab. A handful of companies are making billions of dollars because of this temporary dysfunction.

It needs to be fixed.

Tonight, I call on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to restore order to the electricity market through a temporary return to cost-plus-pricing in the wholesale market. During this legislative session we must assure that Utah's consumer services committee continues to operate as an independent advocate for small-rate payers. Utah has energy resources, transmission lines and pipelines in place and will to do what is necessary to provide consumers reliable power at reasonable prices.

Drugs

The first responsibility of government is ensuring that our people feel safe and secure in our communities. One of the most sinister destroyers of families and communities is drugs.

Drug courts are a heartening sign that we can turn back the ravages of this sinister trend. It used to be that offenders were sentenced to hard time. Now, those who go to drug courts are sentenced to change their lives.

And the good news is, it is working. Of those who complete Drug Court, 92% are rehabilitated. We need to expand drug courts statewide.

We can have a young, education-minded, tech-savvy workforce, a high quality of life, a great business environment and still not succeed in the New Economy. Our success requires another ingredient: good, old-fashioned shoe leather. We need to be out, attracting commerce not just within the borders of the United States, but throughout the world.

Global Economy

The new economy is a global economy.

To accelerate our success in the New Economy and to raise our profile among the technology community we formed the Utah/Silicon Valley Alliance.

This alliance will attract high-tech companies to use Utah as the place to expand, with the ultimate aim of nurturing thousands of new entrepreneurial start-ups. We have what high-tech companies need: an educated workforce that is growing at twice the national average; research institutions; colleges and universities able to serve every part of this state. They have what we need: capital and entrepreneurial reputation.

It will take collaboration between our telecommunication providers and our professional communities to make this happen. Part of our plan is to harness a powerful, under-utilized force: former Utahns who have left our state in pursuit of opportunities elsewhere. Many of them yearn to come home, others we can weave into a formalized network of a thousand Utah ambassadors to help us build our New Economy.

This alliance is not simply for the Wasatch Front, but statewide. Part of the legislative package you will consider is a measure sponsored by Senator Leonard Blackham to build a network of smart space partnerships throughout rural Utah.

Rural Utah

Rural Utah is at a critical juncture. A new century of high-speed technology, rapid growth and global economics will profoundly impact the lives of rural Utahns. We will continue to build our natural resource economy, but in the long-term, rural communities have to be participants in the New Economy.

Our efforts will not transform these regions overnight, but we can form the beginnings of a New Economy that will grow to provide a future in rural Utah.

Olympics

In 388 days, we will welcome the world to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. This will be one of the defining moments of this century for Utah. It will provide our state with a platform to the world. It will lift our economic transition like no other event.

Tonight, I wish to express an Olympic desire; that the children of our state can each share in the Olympic experience. That every child in Utah through the 2002 Olympic Games can come to know, to feel, to understand the values of respect for all people, achieving dreams, teamwork, courage and optimism.

To that end, the first lady and I have partnered with the education community, SLOC and Utah Power to place in our schools "Light the Dream: The Governor's Music and Education program." Our children will sing and write and experience the value of the Olympic dream.

One of the songs our children will sing expresses the magic of the Olympic dream.

When you open your eyes
Do you see what I see?
From the mountains to the streets
Flags of nations, flags of peace
Light the Dream! Light the Dream!
Light the dream!

In Utah, we are dreamers and doers. We are people molded by the spirit and optimism of the American West, a state thriving in this new age of opportunity.

Now, let's light the dream.

Democratic Response