This is the March 30 - April 12, 1996 update.
April 12, 1996
Contact Vicki Varela, 538-1503
or Paula Ernstrom, 538-1509
Listed below are the highlights of Governor Mike Leavitt's activities over
the past two weeks. Please call if you have any questions.
Named business leader Robert C. Gross as the executive director of the newly created
Department of Workforce Services on Tuesday, saying Gross has the experience and
vision to restructure welfare into workforce development. Gross is president and
chairman of the Executive Board of Directors at First Interstate Bank of Utah, N.A.,
which was recently bought out by and renamed Wells Fargo Bank. He has served in
senior roles at the bank for the last several years. The workforce services department was
conceived by Gov. Leavitt, Lt. Governor Olene Walker, and other public and private
leaders after intensive review of the state's current welfare and job training programs. It
was established through legislation this year which combines several agencies into one.
Planning will take place over the next year, and the department should be fully
operational in July 1997. "Cumbersome federal regulations have made it too expensive
and too complicated for people on welfare to find jobs, and for employers to find well-trained, prepared employees," the governor said. "Through this new department, and
through the clear-headed leadership of Bob Gross, we can create a paradigm shift that
helps people who need jobs get jobs and employers who need workers get people who are
trained and ready to work." The governor praised Gross's strong leadership in the private
sector. "Government is strengthened by having powerful business leaders who are
willing to take time out from their traditional careers to make good things happen in
government. The citizens of Utah are very fortunate that Mr. Gross is willing to make
this commitment." Gross led a strategic redesign of all departments and divisions during
his tenure at First Interstate, maintaining record earnings throughout a time of change.
He is also involved in a variety of professional and community organizations. As
chairman of the Sate Job Training Coordinating Council, he has been integrally involved
in planning for the state's new Workforce Services Department. Gross will continue in
his role at First Interstate through May, but will begin to meet with working groups for
the new department immediately. "As the governor has pointed out in our discussions
leading to this appointment, this could be one of the most significant shifts in state
government. I am excited to be part of the architectural design team to help make it
happen. It is important that we do the best job we can to assist people who need
assistance in their transition back to active productive employment, while ensuring they
are prepared for today's jobs."
Called for a special Legislative Session on Wednesday, April 17 to reconsider two vetoed
items from the 1996 General Session. The governor is asking legislators to reconsider
funding for several building project on Utah's university and college campuses that were
only partially funded in the Appropriation Act during the general session. A new version
of a bill designed to prohibit illegal conduct in Utah schools will also be considered. The
governor vetoed the original bill because of concerns that it infringed on a teacher's
constitutional right to free speech. A compromise has been reached with the sponsors of
the legislation and the Utah Education Association that includes some minor language
changes and added provisions. The new bill will also allow local school boards to ban
student organizations that promote bigotry, encourage criminal behavior or involve
human sexuality. The special session will also include technical changes to bills that
were passed during the general session.
Appointed John L. Watson to the Utah State Board of Education/Utah State Board for
Applied Technology Education. Mr. Watson replaces Thomas F. Davidson who recently
resigned because he lives outside the school board district. "John Watson is an
outstanding business leader who will be a great asset to the State Board of Education
because he understands the importance of partnerships between businesses and
education," Governor Leavitt said. Watson has worked in the auto industry for 22 years.
He is currently the owner of John Watson Chevrolet-Geo in Ogden. He is very active in
the community and is currently a member of the Weber School District Foundation and
the Fremont High School Centennial School Committee. He is a former member of the
McKay-Dee Foundation Board. Watson is also active in the Utah Automobile Dealers
Association and previously served as president of its Northern Utah Chapter. The
appointment is subject to Senate approval.
Was honored by the Utah Region of The National Conference for his consistency in
leadership and efforts to understand and represent Utahns regardless of their race, creed
or religion. The National Conference is a human relations organization dedicated to
fighting bias, bigotry and racism in the United States. Among those participating in the
evening's events include Gerald Sherratt, president of Southern Utah University, Pamela
Atkinson, vice president for mission services of Intermoutain Health Care, and Ted
Wilson, director of the Hinkley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. The Utah
Region of The National Conference annually honors an individual for their contributions
to the community and for promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions
and cultures.
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