This is the June 21 - July 5, 1996 update.
July 5, 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.
Responded to the merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the merger of Union Pacific
and Southern Pacific railroads with certain conditions. Governor Leavitt
had testified before the STB and stated that his personal support of the
merger was conditioned on the STB providing protection for Utah shippers.
In responding to the STB's decision, Governor Leavitt made the following
comments:
"Today's decision begins a new era in Utah's long-standing reliance
on and relationship with rail carriers. With only Union Pacific having a
major investment in Utah, we will work hard to gain assurance from Union
Pacific that they will give proper safeguards over rates for Utah shippers.
I have already started that process with Union Pacific and I believe that
they are willing to assist us with these safeguards. Over the next few months
we will continue to work toward this end. Additionally, the focus of the
STB's decision was to give Burlington Northern every opportunity to be competitive
in our market place. If they will take advantage of the opportunity, they
can become a major competitive force in our market place. With the STB's
oversight for five years, we have some time to determine the results of
their efforts. Today's decision is just the beginning of this new era. The
results will be reflected over a long period of time. I intend to remain
actively involved in this issue as I believe it will have a major impact
on the economy of this state."
Announced that Utah was among the first states in the nation to end traditional
welfare. On July 1, the state's Single Parent Employment Demonstration (SPED)
program went statewide and became the Family Employment Program. This Office
of Family Support program was developed as a replacement for the current
welfare system that penalizes recipients for working and creates disincentives
for people to leave the welfare system. SPED requires participants to sign
an employment plan that set goals for obtaining self-sufficiency. The simplified
rules under SPED allow case workers to focus on self-sufficiency for clients
rather than eligibility. It also allows for benefits such as child care
and health care coverage to continue during the transition period between
welfare and work. The program was started in 1993 in just three Family Support
offices in the state. The savings that the program generated allowed the
program to be expanded to over half of the state by January 1996. Governor
Leavitt also thanked the caseworkers and participants who have made the
program a success. "It is through the efforts of case workers and clients
that Utah has shown that the federal government approach to one-size-fits-all
welfare programs does not work," the governor said. The new Family
Employment program will allow all families regardless of structure or size
to participate in this statewide employment program.
Announced the official name for the virtual university will be the Western
Governors' University. Governor Leavitt attended the Western Governors'
Association annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. During the three days of
meetings, the governors accepted the basic design for the Western Governors'
University. The main focus of the university will be to deliver training
and education that emphasizes competency-based certification. "The
WGU is not a replacement for existing educational institutions. It's a new
element," Leavitt said. "Governors hold the keys to break down
the barriers of regulations, bureaucracies, tradition and turf. We're to
be a catalyst for a new concept." The Western Governors' Association
will continue to facilitate the establishment and progress of the school
but eventually it will become a nonprofit, independent corporation. Several
private businesses and land grant universities have expressed interest in
becoming partners in the Western Governors' University. A central business
office for the school will be established with satellite offices in places
like libraries, high schools and higher education institutions scattered
throughout the West.
Also at the meeting, the Western Governors' Association called for a Cattle
Summit to address critical issues in the cattle industry. "Utah and
the nation's cattle ranchers face a threat to their existence, and some
project 25 percent to 30 percent of the cattle ranchers could face bankruptcy,"
Leavitt said. "It is critical that we identify what can be done to
protect cattle ranchers and consumers from this growing trend of high beef
prices but low profits to ranchers." The summit will be held in Omaha
on July 9 and will discuss items such as beef prices, the impact of drought
on beef prices, beef supply and discretionary government actions that could
be taken to help protect cattle ranchers.
Announced that the film industry's economic impact in the state reached
record levels in fiscal year 1996. Records from the fiscal year which ended
June 30, show that film companies spent approximately $95.7 million in the
state. "This is a wonderful accomplishment for Utah and the Film Commission,"
said Governor Leavitt. "Utah is a state with unparalleled beauty and
scenic diversity, as well as accomplished crews and actors." In FY
1996, 20 feature films, nine made for TV movies, eight TV series and 84
commercials were made either totally or inpart in Utah, . Most notable among
these are the summer blockbuster "Independence Day" and the hit
TV series "Touched by an Angel." The economic impact is calculated
through production totals for features and television, commercials, video,
industrials, still photography and the Sundance Film Festival. The numbers
include hotels, motels, restaurants and numerous support services used by
filming companies.
Appointed Dan Eastman and Sheri Griffith as members of the Transportation
Commission. Eastman and Griffith are filling slots on the commission created
when the legislature increased the commission from five to seven members.
Eastman is the president of Eastman and Co., a Utah-based automobile retailing
business. He has served on several regional and national automobile manufacturer
boards and is currently the president of the Davis Board of Education. He
will represent Davis, Weber and Morgan counties on the commission. Griffith
is involved in several small businesses including serving as the president
and chief executive officer of Sheri Griffith Expeditions, Inc., a travel
and tourism company in the Moab area. She has received many individual honors
including the US Conservation Service Award and has served on other state
boards including the Utah Travel Council and the Commission for Women and
Families. Griffith will represent Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties
on the commission. Other Transportation Commission members include Todd
Weston representing Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties; Ted Lewis representing
Salt Lake and Tooele counties; James Larkin representing Beaver, Garfield,
Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington and Wayne counties;
Glen Brown representing Juab, Utah, Wasatch, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah and
Daggett counties; and Hal Clyde representing the state at large. Governor
Leavitt also appointed Robert Morris to the School and Institutional Trust
Lands Board. Morris is a real estate broker and developer primarily in the
Park City area. Some of his projects include Stein Erickson's Lodge, the
Pine Inn at Dear Valley and the Salt Lake International Center. Also, Scott
Marquardt was appointed to the Weber State Board of Trustees by the governor.
He is replacing Ron Halverson on the board. Marquardt is the president of
Management and Training Corporation of Ogden. He has served on various community
and state boards including the United Way of Northern Utah's Board of Directors
and the Weber-Morgan Employment and Training Council. These appointments
are subject to Senate confirmation.
Congratulated Pamela Atkinson for receiving the National Governors' Association's
Distinguished Service Awards. Atkinson was nominated by Governor Leavitt
for one of three private sector awards for her service to Utah's children,
needy and homeless. "Pamela has made a positive impact on the lives
of thousands of Utahns by giving of her time, love, energy, and resources.
She is an exceptional humanitarian and a stellar example of what it means
to truly serve each other. I am extremely pleased that Pamela has been selected
to receive this distinguished award," said Governor Leavitt. Atkinson
currently serves as the Vice President of Mission Services at Intermountain
Health Care. She has been very active in the community and serves on various
community and state boards including the Salt Lake County Human Services
Advisory Council, the Utah State Board of Regents and the child welfare
monitoring panel. She also spends countless hours assisting low income families
by volunteering at the Salvation Army's dining hall and giving health assessments
to homeless people. The award will be presented at the NGA Annual meeting,
July 13-16 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Joined with the Centennial Commission and thousands of Utahns to rededicate
"This is the Place" State Park. "Today we celebrate a centennial
project. Every visitor to this expanded park will be able to see pieces
of our state's heritage," said Governor Leavitt. The park was the state's
centennial legacy project and has been expanded to include "Old Deseret
Village," a replication of a pioneer-era village. The governor also
took the opportunity to thank the many people who made the 15-month, $8
million renovation and expansion possible. The rededication ceremony featured
musical performances by six groups, including a combined Methodist choir,
a Greek Orthodox choir and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The rededication
prayer was offered by President Gordon B. Hinckley of the LDS church.
Received a centennial greeting from the President of the United States by
Pony Express. The Weber County Sheriff's Mounted Posse delivered the message
to Governor Leavitt on the steps of the State Capitol on the Fourth of July.
The posse had been retracing the original Pony Express Trail from St. Louis,
Missouri, to Salt Lake City and carried the greetings from President Clinton
and Governor Graves of Kansas. Governor Leavitt read the letters the crowd
from Clinton and Graves that congratulated the state on is centennial.
Also on the Fourth of July, Governor Leavitt participated in the Freedom
Festival Parade in Provo and the Sandy City Fourth of July Parade.
Congratulated Centennial Wagon Train participants. Governor Leavitt welcomed
the wagon train to Cedar City at the end of its 400 mile, 24 day trek to
commemorate Utah's centennial. "I congratulate you for reaching your
goal to celebrate and preserve a part of our heritage in a unique way,"
Leavitt said. "Everyone who participated and witnessed the wagon train
was enhanced and I am sure their appreciation for what those who settled
this state did nearly 150 years ago has greatly increased."
Honored Utah's Century Club members. Governor and Mrs. Leavitt joined with
the Division for Aging and Adult services to host the annual brunch for
Utahns who have reached their hundredth year or more. With Utah celebrating
its centennial, this years celebration was particularly special. There are
143 men and women in Utah who are at least 100 years old. Those who came
to this year's celebration received a gold pin with their age on it and
a group photo was taken to send to Willard Scott who announces 100 year
old birthdays on the "Today" show.
Proclaimed Barber Shop Harmony Week in Utah. Governor Leavitt welcomed members
of the Society for the Preservation of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America
to the state for their annual convention. After signing the proclamation,
Leavitt joined in on a few songs with the group.
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