This is the August 3 - August 16, 1996 update.
August 16, 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.
Addressed the Republican National Convention. Governor Leavitt spent two weeks in
San Diego, California working on the Republican Party Platform and leading the Utah
delegation in its support of Bob Dole and Jack Kemp. Governor Leavitt was the co-chair
of the platform committee and worked with other party leaders to shape the direction of
the party for the next four years. Lt. Governor Olene Walker was the co-chair of the
platform subcommittee on Individual Rights and Safe Communities. Both Leavitt and
Walker reported to the convention on the work of the platform committee on the opening
day of the convention. Governor Leavitt also addressed the convention and millions of
television viewer on the last day. He stressed the need for balance between states and the
federal government. "The Republican Party stands for lower taxes, less government, and
local control," the governor said. "Our message is simple. Democracy works best when
it is within driving distance." He illustrated how the out-of-balance relationship between
state and federal governments affects citizens by showing a video clip of a Utah family.
Jack and Eula Howard have been unable to use their own well water because of federal
restrictions. He also showed a video of Patrick Horgan, an individual who was able to
gain health insurance because of HealthPrint, Utah's multi-year, market-oriented health
care reform plan. Under federal medicaid requirements, Horgan would not have
otherwise been able to get insurance. Leavitt used this example to illustrate the positive
things states can do when they are given flexibility from the federal government.
Named Jeff Livingston as a co-director of the Western Governors University. Governor
Leavitt and Colorado Governor Roy Romer, lead governors for the WGU, appointed
Livingston and Robert Albrecht to oversee the continued development and eventual roll-out of the WGU. Livingston currently serves as an Governor Leavitt's Executive
Assistant for Higher Education Technology and as an Associate Commissioner for Higher
Education. "We believe there is a strong market for the type of educational services the
WGU will offer," Leavitt said. "As co-directors Jeff and Bob will work to ensure it will
meet the needs of potential students, employers and educational providers." While
Albrecht and Livingston will direct development of the business plan, a final document
will be approved by a steering committee composed of Western Governors' Association
governors who have signed a memorandum of understanding to move the project
forward. That document commits each governor to seek $100,000 for the next phase of
development, to establish at least one local WGU center in his state and to identify and
eliminate barriers to its establishment. Twelve governors have signed the MOU
including the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Attended the Centennial Wayne County Fair. Governor Leavitt spoke about his many
memories of Loa and the surrounding area. He also presented century farm awards to
those farms and ranches in Wayne County that have operated for more than 100 years
under the same family.
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