Economic development, the centerpiece of Huntsman's campaign, is supposed to benefit the most from his proposals.

Huntsman himself will lead the state's economic development effort.

He's already announced he seeks to dismantle the Department of Community and Economic Development, transferring the remaining employees into his office and creating a new Department of Community and the Arts.

The state energy office would become part of the governor's economic development effort, with a new emphasis on extracting oil shale and tar sand deposits in Utah as oil prices rise. The state office in Washington, D.C., though, won't be.

Huntsman said he believes the state is already adequately represented by its congressional delegation and the $250,000 or so that the office costs could be better used hiring expert lobbyists as needed.

Utah's overseas economic development offices might also end up shuttered, the governor said. Huntsman, a former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, said the federal government's embassies can provide economic development assistance in Asia and other markets.

A new public lands policy coordinating office would answer to both the governor's new rural affairs coordinator, former Lt. Gov. Gayle McKeachnie, and the state Department of Natural Resources.

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