From Deseret News archives:
Walker's future plans remain up in air
Outgoing governor not ready to retire, won't lobby the Legislature
Utah's first female governor, who will be replaced by Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. on Jan. 3, wasn't ready to say more than that about her future plans. But the 74-year-old made it clear during her final monthly press conference on KUED Channel 7 she's not ready to retire yet.
"Despite the fact that I've had some great offers to lobby, I've turned them down. So, you won't see me at the Legislature lobbying," Walker said. "But you will see me in other areas. I have some great opportunities."
After the taping, the governor said those opportunities are in the private sector and in higher education. "There are a couple higher-education-level (opportunities) that come out of the blue," said the governor, who holds a doctorate in education.
The president jobs at Salt Lake Community College and Southern Utah University are up for grabs, but higher education officials say Walker has not expressed an interest in either position.
"I'm just going to wait until January and look at all options, see what's right for Myron and I," she said. "I'll have more time to spend with grandchildren, whatever choice I take," even though some of her options involve spending time out of state.
After her successor is inaugurated, Walker will spend two weeks in St. George, where she said she'll make up her mind about what to do next.
Her immediate plans include attending the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., on New Year's Day. "I'll be there with all red on, cheering loud and clear. What a way to spend the last day in office, cheering the University of Utah."
Much of her time lately has been spent saying goodbye to state employees. "As I've gone from agency to agency, department to department, there's always some fond memory that I was involved in, in the Legislature or as governor and lieutenant governor," she said.
Walker was in her third term as lieutenant governor when former Gov. Mike Leavitt stepped down in 2003 to join the Bush administration. She lost her bid to stay in office earlier this year at the Republican convention.
Even with just over two weeks left in office, though, Walker was still weighing in on issues during Thursday's press conference. She advised lawmakers to use the state's growing surplus wisely, rather than giving tax refunds.
And the governor urged the Legislature to move in the direction of ethics reform, even though "there are not many people that can be bribed for a $10 lunch." The public, she said, "feels that there are probably greater abuses than I think there really are."
Walker said she's spent all of the money raised for her campaign, about $480,000. The governor expects to have between $5,000 and $7,000 left in her special projects fund, money she said will be donated to charity.
Contributing: Stephen Speckman
E-mail: lisa@desnews.com
