From Deseret News archives:
Senate confirms Utah governor as EPA chief
The governor was holding a late morning news conference at the state Capitol to likely discuss the transfer of power to Lt. Gov. Olene Walker.
Leavitt spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour said the governor would resign Nov. 5.
Just before the Senate vote, Leavitt's critics fired a few parting shots at him. And the Democrats who did support Leavitt also launched volleys at President Bush and hoped aloud that Leavitt will change his environmental policies.
"Despite his commentary about balance and stewardship, Gov. Leavitt's record . . . reveals a disturbing tendency to place shortsighted economic gain for the regulated industries above protecting the long-term health of the public," Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said.
Lautenberg called Utah the nation's worst polluter, a charge also made Monday by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. Lautenberg also cited Leavitt's support of the Legacy Highway, which environmentalists say could jeopardize wetlands in Davis County. He accused Leavitt of being too slow to push cleanup of Kennecott mining pollution and said that the governor may have fired officials who helped indict his family's fish hatchery.
He said Lautenberg's and Durbin's states rank worse in polluting the environment, so they shouldn't attack Utah.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., also took a shot at Leavitt for what she called "evasive" answers to Democratic questions.
"The fact he did not answer a number of my questions tells me that I am afraid that in the room when they are debating these issues, that Mike Leavitt will be a full team player with the Bush administration and not a team player for the health of the American people," she said.
But most senators in debate praised Leavitt's ability and integrity, while some made a distinction between their support for Leavitt and opposition to the Bush administration he is joining.
For example, Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., who once led a boycott of a committee meeting to delay a vote on Leavitt, said, "This vote should not be seen as an endorsement of the Bush administration's environmental policies, but as a vote in support of a fine and honorable man who has an extremely difficult job ahead."
Comments
- Grizzlies loan forward to AHL team 9:15 p.m.
- Tony Finau reaches Disney finale 9:13 p.m.
- 5 officers lose their certification 9:13 p.m.
- WWII vet returns Hitler's art album 9:12 p.m.
- Basic Sports Training clinic Saturday 8:57 p.m.
- Jennings scores 22 against Raptors 8:54 p.m.
- Green Bay knocks off Wisconsin 8:52 p.m.
- Paul's layup lifts Hornets 8:51 p.m.
- 76ers lose 11th straight 8:50 p.m.
- Devils win 4th straight 8:43 p.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Doctor calls Mitchell 'naive,' 'inept'
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Small plane crashes near Lehi
- Snow brings big chill
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
291 - Letters: Global warming a lie
228 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
178 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
147 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
138 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
121 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
My wife Lisa and I would prefer never to argue. But that's not going to...
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
on a well deserved honor. One of the best in a long line of great BYU TEs.
To clarify my earlier comment, on Celebrating giving gifts "from Santa" is...
I so glad I'm a native Utahn and Bears fan. You don't see Bears fans making...
I wonder if most of the people here who are so rabid against the show have...
When you say many more Pac-10 schools should have had Boise State's BCS spot,...
He hadn't done anything yet to get the thing. In time perhaps. Makes the...
I was upset by the treatment of him throughout his life. Being passed off...
Winners never quit and quitters never win. Never mind. This doesn't apply if...
I think that the so-called "Scrooge" (yeah, that's how its spelled) on this...
It is funny how republicans are drooling over Palin and act like she is their...



You can be the first to comment on this story.