"The world is at the most innovative and creative period in human history and so is our state. That means our technology threshold is going to go higher, depending upon kids' creativity and their ability to constantly renew themselves in terms of being better in the workforce and in the marketplace," Huntsman said. "That renewal effort is going to require different renewal actions."

But Utah Democrats who oppose vouchers said at another Capitol Hill press conference that instead drawing public funding away from public schools for the voucher program, the state should increase support in public schools for things like class size reduction, salary increases for teachers, technology and support for certification and licensing costs for highly qualified teachers.

"It is unconscionable that when so much still needs to be done to shore up our school system, and Utah continues to be last in per-pupil spending, that we are even considering bringing vouchers into play," said House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake.

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Contributing: Bob Bernick Jr.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com