This is the July 6 - July 19, 1996 update.
July 19, 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.
Joined with President Lane Beattie of the State Senate and Speaker Mel Brown
of the State House of Representatives to propose plans for a new north/south
highway corridor through the most populated areas of Utah. The three were
also joined by representatives of the Transportation Commission, Department
of Transportation, state legislators, and local government leaders from
Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties for the announcement.
Governor Leavitt said, "As Utah continues to grow, the need for an
alternate route through our busiest area becomes apparent. This is not just
about making room for cars, it's also about shaping our state for the future.
It's about looking ahead to preserve the quality of our lives in Utah. This
is a big picture, long term proposal." The proposed corridor would
extend from Ogden to Nephi on the west side of each respective valley. While
the exact route in most areas has yet to be determined, the new highway
would run in the vicinity of 5600 West in Salt Lake County. Having an alternative
route would allow trucks and cars traveling through the area to avoid further
congesting I-15. The system will be called the Legacy Project. That name
was selected, the governor explained, as a constant reminder that "quality
of life is our heritage in Utah, and it must also be our 'legacy'. "
As a result of last December's Growth Summit, the Utah Legislature established
a ten year financing plan for highway construction. During that period,
the state of Utah plans to spend $3.5 billion on roads. Even with that amount
of money, many worthwhile projects will remain.
With their announcement, the three leaders requested the Utah Transportation
Commission consider immediately heightening the process of planning, environmental
assessment and right-of-way protection to assure that the corridor stays
in tack. However, each section of the Legacy Project will have to compete
with other projects for actual construction funding. The governor has also
directed the Department of Transportation to expedite an environmental study
on the Davis County portion of the project. "My preference is to have
the Davis County portion of the Legacy Project completed before we start
widening I-15 through Davis County," the governor said. "Currently,
there are no satisfactory alternatives to I-15 in Davis County. This new
road will allow motorists to bypass accidents, construction or weather-related
problems that may occur on I-15." At this time, it is impossible to
know how much the Legacy Project will cost to complete and it is likely
that every section of the highway will be a different financial recipe.
Whatever the cost, it will be much more economical to identify and preserve
the corridor now rather than wait until the property is developed. While
some segments of the project could be built as early as 2000, the complete
system is a long range plan and probably will not be finished for many years.
Local governments who wish to accelerate the construction of sections in
their areas could partner with the state and/or the private sector, using
innovative financing arrangements that utilize combinations of state, local
and private financing methods.
The three leaders also addressed environmental concerns about the project.
Their plan is to develop an early and continuing dialogue with public and
private agencies during the planning stages of the project and resolve issues
and concerns in a cooperative manner. A coalition of stake holders has already
been meeting frequently on this study and working through common issues
in a open process such as developing a buffer area along the Great Salt
Lake.
Expressed concern over the child welfare monitoring process. Governor Leavitt
told reporters at his monthly news conference that the process is ineffective
because it focuses on 92 measures for gauging compliance without taking
into account the overall progress of the reforms. "I've dealt with
the agency on a personal basis over the last six months and I know it is
not perfect but there is not an agency in state government where we have
devoted more resources. We put $63 million into the system and hired caseworker
after caseworker and retrained everyone in the system," the governor
said. While a monitoring report is highly critical of Division of Child
and Family Services, an audit by the Bureau of Service Review (BSR) gave
the division an overall B-plus rating in its most recent statement. BSR
based its findings on a review of 600 cases. "The state is caring for
2,100 children and the vast majority of them are treated with extraordinary
care," the governor said. "While we are not in compliance with
the agreement yet, we are making significant progress."
Traveled to Atlanta for the Olympic Games. Governor Leavitt spent three
days in Atlanta to learn first-hand how Utah might best prepare to host
the 2002 Winter Olympics. While in Atlanta, Leavitt met with Georgia Governor
Zell Miller and was briefed on items such as security and transportation.
He also toured the Olympic Village and attended athletic events.
Welcomed Detroit Diesel to Utah. The US Army turned over the Tooele Army
Depot's Consolidated Maintenance Facility to the city of Tooele and Detroit
Diesel. Governor Leavitt participated in the ceremony and said, "This
is an outstanding day for Tooele and Utah. This facility should generate
$16.5 million in tax revenues for the local governments over the next ten
years and employ 600 people." Last month, Leavitt announced plans to
loan Detroit Diesel up to $1 million through the state's industrial assistance
loans.
Accepted a pair of centennial boots on behalf of the state. Randy and Lou-Ann
Merrell of Vernal handcrafted these one-of-a-kind boots for Governor Leavitt
to serve as a memento of the state's centennial. Leavitt will wear the boots
to parades, rodeos and other centennial functions throughout the rest of
the year. The boots will then be displayed as a piece of centennial history.
The front panel of the boots features a laser cut state seal that is inlayed
with 22-karat gold leaf leather. On the other panel is a map of the state
of Utah containing detailed leather inlays representing different areas
of the state. Three small precious stones on the map indicate the places
Governor Leavitt has lived in Utah during his life. The Merrells used as
many Utah products as possible in making the boots. They estimate that the
project took more than 300 hours of labor using techniques and tools that
have existed for more than 100 years. However, they did receive help from
laser technology that is new to boot making for the state seal. Other Utahns
have also helped the Merrells with this project including many who donated
labor and supplies. Governor Leavitt wore the boots for the first time to
the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo and Parade in Vernal. While in Vernal, he also
declared the Merrells the official Centennial Bootmakers.
Announced a partnership between the state and PacifiCorp that will save
the state money in energy expenses. The announcement came at the dedication
of the new Department of Natural Resource's building, the state's most energy
efficient property. Under the agreement, architects and engineers can earn
a design incentive fee of up to 1 percent of the building cost if they design
state government buildings that are 25-50 percent more efficient than current
state standards. The money for the pilot program will come from PacifiCorp.
The state will repay PacifiCorp out of energy savings. The greatest benefit
to the state will be lower energy costs that translate into lower operating
costs over the life of new buildings.
Appointed Larry A. Steele to be an Eighth District Juvenile Court Judge.
In commenting on the appointment, Governor Leavitt said, "Larry Steele
is uniquely qualified to be a juvenile court judge because of his experience
working with delinquent, abused and neglected children. He will serve the
citizens of Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties well." Steele has
been serving as the Vernal City Prosecutor, Attorney for the Uintah School
District and the president and owner of the law firm, Steele and Associates.
He was previously a Guardian Ad Litem for the Utah Court Administrator's
Office. As a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve, Steele served
in the Office of the Judge Advocate. The new judge received a bachelor's
degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Pepperdine University
School of Law in Malibu, California. He also taught law courses at Golden
Gate University, Cerro Coso College and Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University.
Steele has been active in his community as a member of the Lions Club of
Vernal and Rotary International. He received the 1981 Jaycees Outstanding
Young Man of America Award and was awarded three commendation medals from
the US Air Force. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
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