Back to basics — Walker wins praise for initiatives

In her first — and perhaps last — State of the State address, Gov. Olene Walker called on Utah lawmakers Thursday evening to embrace the basics as they build a sound foundation for the future.

"I suggest we begin with the basics," she said. "A conservative, realistic budget. Strong initiatives that focus on the basic needs of our citizens. And an innovative yet basic vision for tomorrow."

Walker's 30-minute address touched on all of the major initiatives she has unveiled since taking over for former Gov. Mike Leavitt, who resigned in November to become administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

From her much touted children's reading program to watershed protection to tax reforms, there were no real surprises.

The speech from the House chambers, attended by the House, Senate, Utah Supreme Court and officials from various state agencies, was interrupted at least 12 times by applause, although it was often unenthusiastic as she touched on topics where the GOP majority might not be on the same page. And she avoided the touchiest topics — her repeated calls to remove state subsidies of local roads and water projects.

Instead, Walker, a former educator who has not announced whether she will seek the GOP gubernatorial nomination, focused on education initiatives as the engine to drive the state's future.

"Education is the basis for our future prosperity, and it is a key to individual success," she said. "Utah has a tradition of valuing education. Even though we are at the very bottom in spending per student, we have always been near the top in outcome."

But that is changing she said, pointing to student test scores that are falling and spending per student that has fallen to 40 percent below the national average. "How far must we slip before we take action?" she asked.

Her education package includes a "modest" 2 percent salary increase for teachers, enough money to educate the 7,160 new students entering the public education system next year and $30 million to fund a performance-based reading initiative in kindergarten through third grade.

"Education is not just about the number of students and teachers," she said. "It is about the quality of education we provide."

Legislative Democrats hailed Walker's plan to make education a top priority and her call to reform the state's tax structure — issues Democrats have championed for years.