This is the October 12 - October 25, 1996 update.
October 25, 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.
Directed the Health Department to temporarily restore Medicaid benefits for transplants
so that a 21-month old boy can receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his
sister. The governor's order will enable Jacob Kerr, 21 months, to receive a transplant
from his sister, Mariah Kerr, 3 years old. The transplant will take place at Primary
Children's Hospital. Bone marrow transplants have become increasingly successful in
recent years in giving recipients the chance to live a full healthy life. The order will
permit Medicaid sponsored transplants through the end of the 1997 legislative session in
March. Earlier, Utah leaders attempted to get Congressional approval for Utah's
Medicaid policy on transplants. However, time ran out as Congress wrapped up its work
several weeks ago. The state will take up the effort again when Congress convenes in
January. The Utah Health Department has had a policy permitting Medicaid sponsored
transplants for children but not adults. Earlier this year, a federal court ruling ordered
that adults and children must be treated equally. Because the state did not have Medicaid
funds to cover transplants for both, the Health Department temporarily eliminated the
transplant option. Governor Leavitt's order permits the Health Department to use the
limited funds initially provided for children's transplants to be used to cover both adults
and children until the Legislature has an opportunity to consider this issue during the
upcoming Session in January 1997.
Joined with local and Congressional leaders to announce they are demanding in federal
court that Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt use an established democratic process as he
reinventories Utah land. "Wilderness should be inventoried according to criteria
established in 1979 or new criteria should be established through a deliberative process,"
the governor said. "But the Interior Department hasn't done either. People are out
surveying Utah land without respect to the democratic process and without any public
review or discussion. This is an abuse of power." Leavitt is participating in the lawsuit
in the context of his new policy direction on wilderness. In the context of the new
policy, he notified his Cabinet that he plans to follow an Incremental Wilderness Strategy,
which would designate wilderness on a region by region basis. Previous attempts to
define all Utah wilderness in one congressional bill have been unsuccessful. "There is
widespread agreement that Utah needs wilderness. But Secretary Babbitt's approach is
the wrong one. This lawsuit is not about whether we want wilderness. It's about doing it
the right way," the governor said. In addition to the lack of process, Leavitt protested
Babbitt's inclusion of Utah School Trust Lands in his reinventory. The land is owned by
the school children of Utah, and should not be part of the study, the governor said. Also,
Babbitt's process is being applied uniquely in Utah. He should have gone through a
process to establish this unique approach, Leavitt said. The federal reinventory violates
federal laws and Bureau of Land Management's own regulations, both of which require
extensive public involvement and coordination with state, local and tribal officials and
the opportunity to challenge the results.
Proposed the third straight decrease for workers compensation insurance rates within the
state. This proposal means employers will have decreases of 9.6 percent in 1997. This
decrease came even after the necessary adjustments to pay for pre-1994 permanent
disability claims. "I am not only pleased that the costs for workers compensation claims
are going down, but that this reflects an increased awareness of job safety and the need to
protect the lives and well-being of Utah workers," Leavitt said. "Our economic research
also clearly shows that an effective workers compensation system can help fuel the fire of
job creation." The proposal is now before the Insurance Commissioner for approval and
would go into effect January 1, 1997 for new and renewal policies.
Announced the release of another $25 million in mortgage funds through the Utah
Housing Finance Agency (UHFA) for low-income families. "Finding adequate
affordable housing is one of the most personal and pressing challenges facing many Utah
families during this time of unparalleled growth. These low interest loans will make home
ownership affordable for the first time to approximately 350 Utahns from across the state
with moderate income." the governor said. The 7.01 percent fixed-rate mortgage money
is now available to Utah's low and moderate income first-time home buyers, many of
whom may find home ownership less expensive than renting an apartment. Because one
major obstacle for first-time home buyers is the down payment and closing costs, these
loans from UHFA offer zero discount points, greatly reducing the down payment and
closing costs to UHFA home buyers. UHFA is also offering a down payment assistance
program for households who earn less than $27,500 annually. In addition, the UHFA
mortgage rate is nearly one full point below conventional rates and may allow many
households who would not otherwise qualify for home ownership to purchase a house.
Prospective buyers may qualify for these monies providing their income and the price of
the home they want to buy is below a certain limit. Limits vary from county to county
across the state depending on the size of household and the location of the home to be
purchased. UHFA was established by the state Legislature in 1975 to provide decent,
safe and sanitary housing for low and moderate income households in the state. UHFA's
housing programs have allowed more than 36,000 lower-income families to buy their
own home and have financed the creation of more than 6,500 rental units affordable to
lower income families throughout the state. These programs are funded through the sale
of tax exempt bonds to private investors and through state and federal income tax credits.
Applications and additional information can be obtained by calling UHFA in Salt Lake at
359-5200 or toll-free at 1-800-301-6950.
Appointed Michael G. Waddoups to the Utah State Senate and David L. Zolman, Sr. to
the Utah State House of Representatives. Waddoups replaces Senator Steve Rees in
Senate District 6 who recently resigned. Zolman will fill the vacancy created by
Waddoups in District 39 of the House. Both Waddoups and Zolman will serve until the
November election. In that election, Waddoups is running against Mary K. Hammond in
Senate District 6 and Zolman is running unopposed in House District 39. Commenting
on the appointments, Governor Leavitt said, "Both of these men understand the issues
facing their constituents and the state. Mike Waddoups has proven his legislative
abilities during his years in the House and David Zolman will be an outstanding addition
to the House. I look forward to working with both of them." Waddoups is a certified
property manager. He was originally appointed to the State House of Representatives in
1987 by Governor Norm Bangerter and has been majority whip for the last 2 years. He
has served on many legislative committees including the Executive Appropriations
Committee, Health and Human Services Standing Committee and the Rules Committee.
Zolman owns and operates a small family history business. He is active in his community
and has served on several local boards. He has been a volunteer with the American
Cancer Society for several years and is active in the Sons of the American Revolution.
Praised the Department of Public Safety for its efforts to protect the citizens of Utah in a
cost effective manner. The Department of Public Safety recently acquired four
helicopters at no charge to the state. Two of these helicopters have been upgraded with
state-of-the-art technology to serve public safety needs and the other two will be used for
training and spare parts. The helicopters along with the new mobile command center
where recently showcased during a press conference. The helicopters will be used by the
department to assist local communities in search and rescue efforts, monitor traffic and
deliver emergency personnel and physical resources quickly to the site of a critical
incident. The high-tech mobile command center enhances the state's ability to handle
critical emergency situations in the field.
Discussed Utah's involvement in the future of space exploration. Governor Leavitt met
with representatives from NASA to discuss the possibility of landing the X-33, the
replacement for the space shuttle, in Utah during test flights. The space craft would take
off from Edwards Air Force Base in California and would land one of several places in
the west including Utah's Dugway Proving Ground. NASA officials also said that in the
future, the real opportunities for aerospace firms will be in building commercial satellites
and in other commercial space applications. Space research programs at Utah State
University and Weber State University will also continue to benefit from the space
program.
Honored the 100 fastest growing companies in Utah. Governor Leavitt joined with the
Mountain West Venture Group for its second annual Utah 100 event. "These companies
reflect the innovation, initiative and energy that makes Utah a great place to live and
work. I commend them for their hard work and contributions to the Utah economy,"
Governor Leavitt said. The awards are based on the growth of the companies over the
past five years. According to the Mountain West Venture group, the 100 companies
honored had $1 billion in sales in 1991 and $2.7 billion in 1995.
Praised Westminster College and its new president, Peggy Stock. Governor Leavitt
participated in the inauguration ceremonies of the first female college president in the
state. "Westminster College is one of Utah's brightest stars. It is clear to me that
President Stock has her eye focused on the future and that the school will remain an
important part of Utah's higher education mix," the governor said. Many other academic,
state and local leaders spoke during the ceremony. Stock is the 15th president of the 121-year-old private institution.
Welcomed QVC to the state. QVC home shopping network spent one week in Utah as
part of its "Quest for America's Best" tour. Governor Leavitt appeared on one show
originating from the Utah State Fair Park to welcome QVC to Utah and to discuss the
many outstanding things Utah has to offer. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Utah to
showcase our outstanding products and amazing scenery," the governor said. "On behalf
of many Utahns, I thank you for featuring our great state on QVC." Utah was chosen as
one of eight states to be featured for one week on the network. During the week, shows
originated from ten different locations around the state and featured products from some
50 companies.
Celebrated the expansion of business in Cedar City. Governor Leavitt attended the grand
opening of the new Matrixx Marketing center in Cedar City. "Cedar City and Matrixx
are a winning combination. Not only does Matrixx provide jobs for the citizens and
students in the area, but it is also an active part of many community projects and events,"
the governor said.
Encouraged Utahns to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they grow older. This came during
the opening ceremonies for the tenth annual Huntsman Senior Games. More than 3,000
participants from virtually every state in the nation and several foreign countries take part
in the games annually. During the two week event, female and male athletes, age 50 and
older participate in 13 athletic events and enjoy two weeks of workshops, dinners, dances
and award ceremonies designed to foster friendship as well as competition.
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