Huntsman chooses work over trip to ball

PROVO — As Gov. Jon Huntsman was quick to point out, he did not spend Thursday in Washington, D.C., celebrating the inauguration with his fellow Republicans. Instead, Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert headed to the ball, and Huntsman stayed home, spending the evening addressing the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce, which held its annual installation and awards banquet Thursday night.

"I want you to know this may cost me because I'm the only Republican who is not in attendance (in Washington)," Huntsman said, smiling.

Huntsman mentioned a few benefits to remaining a homebody this week, among them the ties he's been able to form with members of the state's legislative leadership, as well as getting settled in the Governor's Mansion.

"I want you to know that it's not going to be tough to get things done this legislative session because I've established some very important relationships," Huntsman said, recognizing Utah County legislators in attendance, among them Senate President John Valentine (R-Orem), House Majority Whip Jeff Alexander (R-Provo) and Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo).

Valentine took a moment to agree with the governor as he presented and installed the new chamber board members.

"I really have seen a difference over the last week in the relationship between the legislative and executive branch," he said. "It's wonderful."

Before his remarks, Huntsman said he wanted to touch on his four key priorities for Utah's future but also give those in attendance an idea of what his first few weeks as governor have been like.

Huntsman mentioned aiding those affected by the floods in southern Utah as his greatest challenge thus far.

"There's no how-to manual for being governor," he said. "You just have to kind of lead from your heart, go on good common sense and hope it all works out at the end of the day."

Among his goals for this term, Huntsman mentioned helping small businesses grow through tax reform and communicating with business owners in the legislative process.

"We're going to tap into the voices of small businesses because we are a state of small businesses — 80 percent of our Utah companies," he said. "I might be the governor, but you (entrepreneurs) are making this state work. All that I hope to be is a facilitator."

When asked about the impact of growth on businesses in Utah County, Huntsman said there are challenges as well as benefits inherent in a growing economy.

"The benefits are being in an economy, the state of Utah, that really is going to be the epicenter of growth in the next generation or two," he said. "The challenges are finding the capital, oftentimes identifying the talent and pulling together the resources needed to really grow beyond a small-size company."

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com