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State of the State: Huntsman urges Utahns to aspire to reach higher

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Larry | 6:10 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Govenor Huntsman has no interest in the Criminal courts running in Utah with Criminal Judges
Incarserating innocent people.
You are suposed to see your accuser in court.
This is not happening in Box Elder County, Judge Ben Hadfield
The Judges are in Violation of the Civil Rights act that we just celibrated about
Huntsman does not deserve another term
He can not be selective of what he wants to do.
He has no idea what his real job is and that he listens to the people that tells him things he does not know about and Jobs that need to be fixed.
We have to much lip service and no action !!

We have Judges that scream over the bench
Threatening to throw people in jail at the end of every sentance
We have City Councils running courts of injustice milking the people of their hard earned money
Dictating how we live in our own Houses in Willard City
The Willard City council has some strange idea they are a Home Owners Association
We have to many cops on the street that are looking to cause more trouble than do good
They have become a detrament to the public.

Lucille Ridd | 6:30 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

BRAVO - Governor Huntsman!
Great State of the State Speech. Good delivery. Good content. Inspirational. THANK YOU!

JIMI | 6:48 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

too bad he doesnt care about those Illigal imagrants. I think thats one of are biggest problems he in this state.

Comments continue below

hy | 7:29 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

sounded like a campaign peach to me. Promising things he has no power over.

Go Cougs! | 7:35 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

You mean he wants Utahns to "Raise the Bar"?

Anonymous | 7:51 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

THIS NEEDS TO BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR....

Having a teacher work full year is not going to be appealing to anyone! Ask any teacher you know and they will tell you that if they had to work with the kids all year round, they would burn out even faster. This won't increase the number of teachers but actually decrease them.

Even if they were paid more, most would choose to leave the profession if they had to work full year.

It sounds good on paper but in reality it isn't the right move.

Confused | 7:54 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

That's great, spend all the money on "Important" issues and leave us state workers with a mere cola of 2.75 percent.

We are asked to do more with less and we still are on the back burner. We went through the lean times and still nothing.

You take away our retirement benifit of using unused sick leave. You take away our benifits of health insurance bit by bit (wasn't that the reason for the low pay?), now the rumor is you want to take away our merit status.

What a great governor.

Confused | 8:34 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Anonymous 7:51

Some teachers do work year round, it called "YEAR ROUND SCHOOL".

My wife works as a teacher and does it year round. They get July off. they work 9 weeks then have 3 weeks off. They have 4 tracks A, B, C, D.

This helps the children maintain what they learn.

This really hurts families during vacation time.

People wont teach because:

A) LOW PAY for what they are required to do from Federal, State and Local governements.

B)Lack of respect from Parents. Parents want teachers to let their little johnnies glide through school.

C) lack of respect from Students. Have you gone to a middle school lately? Kids today think they are entitled.

Anonymous | 8:37 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

"Aspire to reach higher"? What does that even mean? How about we just reach higher? This guy's so pretentious I almost think he's a democrat.

Tom | 8:50 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I don't want to aspire to reach higher. I am quite content maintaining the high degree of mediocrity that exists here in Utah.

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Amen to anon @8.37.

Reach Higher= more gov't handouts funded by tax increases.

Affordable Insurance? | 9:16 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I just checked what it would cost my family to get health insurance in Massachusetts. It would cost over $800/month for the cheapest plan ($2,000 deductible). I have a plan through IHC here for $358/month.

PLEASE DON'T FIX IT!

I thought he was a Republican. Sounds like he wants us to slide into Socialized Medicine. We have the best health care system in the world. The 350,000 uninsured in Utah is a problem, but I believe the vast majority of them CHOOSE to go uninsured because they are healthy and don't want to pay for it.

When has govenment ever stepped in and made something better then the free market?

If government takes over our health insurance system it would end up having the "Compassion" of the IRS with the "efficiency" of the military... (remember the $1,500 hammers, etc?)

Government should back off and let the free market function without "Big Brother" looking over the shoulder.

Ask anyone on the VA health plan how they love their care. It is not the role of government to step in and save us from ourselves.

Back of Mr. Huntsman.

year round | 9:33 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Year round elementary teachers work the same number of contract days that a Jr. High or High School teacher work. It is just spread out over the year. I don't see how they can get teachers to work for a full year without making kids attend for a full year. I am very supportive of public education, but my child needs and deserves a summer break. It is a good "idea" to find ways to increase a teacher's yearly salary by having them work more days. But I don't see how that will work. Parents will be up in arms. Teachers that do want to increase their income can find things to do - primarily summer school. The main thing is that they need to get teacher's salary on par with the nation. I don't think any teacher is expecting to strike it rich, just be able to raise their family on their income.

Re: anonymous | 10:08 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

You are spot on. I'm a teacher that would leave the very day total year round school was introduced. The day of 30 year teachers is over more and more are getting out early. The stress of 40 teenagers in a class is crazy. Year round school would be over the top.

Anonymous | 10:11 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The governor did a wonderful job! Finally, I am seeing realization that our nation is in a health care crisis. It is so good to hear the governor of Utah realizing the greatness of this problem. Awareness is the first step! I am encouraged by his remarks.

Just a thought | 10:20 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I know it may sound crazy, but many teachers spend the Summers or time off working on professional development. Perhaps the plan could be that teachers who spend that time improving their skills get compensated for it--immediately. That's just my thoughts on the subject.

Also, how does asking teachers to teach more days to match the pay of other states where they work on a traditional schedule sound competitive? It doesn't make sense to me.

Concerned | 10:21 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Watch the Health Care issue,that's important. They are talking reform.That means telling you what is an acceptable treatment! They are talking mandatory insurance but haven't used the words affordable! Watch this carefully! Stop worrying about teachers pay!

It also means | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Everyone might have health care! (How terrible) lol.
Goodness, people get afraid of things they don't understand and so they just want to keep things the way they are (even if it's not working).

Anonymous | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Uh, 10:37.
Some of us have lived in countries with socialized healthcare. It doesn't work.

ron | 11:00 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

He is voting for McCain. That should move us all to the middle of the road and raise taxes as well. You better do better than that Gov. if you want to be reelected!!

Derek Zoolander | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Does this guy (Huntsman Jr.) sound like a died in the wool politician or what. He is un-salvagable. I have not heard one original word come out of his pie-hole in four years. He has always enjoyed a life of privledge (daddy's money) and got a free ride to the governor's office. There is nothing in his background that makes me think he can come up a good idea about anything. Give me a governor who is poor, smart, and hungry and then you will see some creative solutions to problems. John Boy's next stop will be the U.S. Senate when Hatch and Bennett either retire or die, and the idiotic voting block sends him to Washington for life. Where is Rampton, Matheson, and even Bangerter when you need them.

Year Round School... | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Heaven forbid teachers work as much as others do that have full-time jobs. Besides, it's not like they work every day of the year - they have plenty of time off between tracks.

I agree teachers should be paid more than they are. They are seriously underpaid; however, those who don't have year-round school have three months off in the summer, and even those who do work year-round have weeks at a time off between tracks. So, even though they are underpaid, they take off a lot more time than the usual employee.

I'd love to take off the summer every year, but if I did I have no room to complain about getting paid only 9/12 of my salary.

And, to the state worker whining about his raise, or lack thereof...one of the great things about being in America is you can change jobs whenever you want. If you think you're getting screwed by your employer, there usually isn't anyone holding a gun to your head making you stay. If you don't like it, sharpen up your resumï¿½ and go find an employer that will pay you what you're worth. Simple as that.

Year Round | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Let see I go to work at 06:30 am and do not get home until 17:30 pm. I get Saturday and Sunday off from work and I might get 2 weeks off during the year for a vacation.

Teachers start school at 07:00 am and get home about 18:00 pm and get Saturday and Sunday off. In addition they get 3 months off during the year. Their average salary is $45,500 according to the internet.

That means they make an average of about $22.00 an hour. None of the people in my office make that much and most have worked for more than 5 years.

Maybe we do need to pay teacher more.

John Reynolds | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

One of the reasons we don't take care of our own is that we're allowing hundreds and hundreds of refugees in and pay for all of their needs. This is totally irresponsible management.

Anonymous | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Yes, I agree with rich boy Huntsman. We should work HARDER and HARDER and dig DEEPER and DEEPER into our pockets. The fact Utah remains the most taxed state in the west, is running an out-of-control tax surplus, has property taxes that are pushing people out of their homes, matters not.

Teacher | 12:58 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Year Round,
The figures you quoted are skewed because the districts always counts money spent on benefits into the average salary. A teacher with 15 years experience in my district currently makes $39,045.
Teachers actually work on 10 month contracts because they have to spend many days at school before the year starts, after it ends, etc. So to Year Round School..., if a teacher with 15 years worked on a 12 month contract, they would make a little over $45,000. Sign me up! Oh wait, I'm not a math or science teacher. I won't be signed up.

confused 2 | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The world of politics. All talk for the moment and no action for the future. I hope you all held your babies up to the TV to get kissed for what he was selling was not a message of change or progress but more of the same. Just look at what is being debated up and the capital and you will see that there is no leadership on the important matters it is more of the status quo. Just remember the more they talk about change the more they are going to stay the same.

In the end our taxes with be the same or higer, Government will be as wasteful as ever, and health care will be even more expensive. All you have to do is look at history to know that what I am saying is true. So all of you who got a warm fuzzy congrats the rest of us are going to hold on to our wallets.

Ex-Utahn | 1:34 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

The problem the teachers have with their pay is a problem that many others outside the teaching profession have in Utah - Utah employers are famous for underpaying their employees. Utah's salaries consistently rank below national averages across many different professions, yet housing costs and taxes continue to increase.

Government officials love to talk about why outside companies open up offices in Utah and claim it's because of the large, educated population. While that's only partially true, the other reason they fail to mention is because these employers get a highly-skilled and highly-educated workforce at a cost lower than what they'd have to pay elsewhere. And on top of that low-cost workforce is the fact that many of these companies get tax breaks. So they benefit from tax breaks, a well-educated workforce, and don't have to pay national salary averages. Who wouldn't want to open an office in Utah?

I left the state because I couldn't afford to live there because all these companies think you're crazy when you ask them to pay a decent salary. I hated to leave at the time, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

Uncle Mittardo | 1:42 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Dear Jon Huntsman Junior,

You think money grows on trees, thanks to your daddy continuously handing you wads of cash on demand. You need to keep your filthy animal paws off of my paycheck. You steal enough of it already. You sicken me.

High School Musical 3 | 1:52 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

When I told my daughter that the Guv said High School Musical 3 was going to be filmed in Utah, her ears perked up.

Another Ex-Utahn | 1:56 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Having seen other states for the last 20 years, it is
pathetic how little Utah pays their excellent teachers.
Bring them into line with other comparable cost of living states!

Also, the Massachussetts health reform of Governor Romney would fit nicely in the Utah strata.

Little respect | 2:17 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

A big part of the problem with teachers is very evident in many comments. Yes it is true that teachers do get more time off than some over occupations. However, hourly they are not compensated simarlarly. Many of the comments give the air that teachers are just milking their careers. They sit in a room for nine months and then get to sit around all summer. From some people you would wonder why we pay teachers at all. Oh yea... remember all you high earning career folk attended some sort of institution or schooling where some schmuck was dumb enough to decide to teach you. Maybe because they love teaching.

cavalier | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

But wasn't it inspiring how he tackled the air-quality issue? He grinningly suggested we idle our cars less while referring to two gargantuan new highway projects that will enable tens of thousands more cars to readily zoom up and down the Wasatch Front every day. You'll be able to live even farther away from your job and get there faster, emitting higher levels of pollutants along the way! He bragged about our explosive population growth, how we are attracting more and more jobs to the state.....more people, more cars --- how cool. The 'bigger' we get, the better Jon feels. Some 'pre-eminence' you're giving us, governor. Some respect you're showing for our 'pristine' terrain.

True | 3:06 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

While I did attend an institution where some dumb schmuck (I use this sarcastically) did teach me something, what we're probably really talking about here is elementary, junior high and high school. I can say without a doubt that I don't make a large salary because of what I was taught in elementary, jr. high and sr. high. It was what I LEARNED in college while working towards a BS, an MBA and a PhD.

I live outside of Utah now, and my kids go to an elementary that is way beyond any elementary I went to in SLC, and a lot has to do with what the teachers are paid. They are paid a good salary, and so good teachers are attracted to teaching at these schools. However, that good education and good salary comes with a price - higher property taxes. I pay 4% in property tax, with the vaste majority going to school districts. While I hate paying high property taxes, I see the benefits of that from what my kids are learning.

Teachers do need to get paid more, but don't think teachers work harder than most other occupations. That simply is not the case.

Steve - Re: Affordable Insurance | 4:10 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Re: Affordable Insurance? and others above...

Yes our country's health insurance program DOES need to be changed/fixed. At the very least costs need to be cut and make it affordable (what Obama says he'll do), BUT the ideal situation would be to start TRUE Universal Health Care. And by that I mean how it's done in Europe and NOT how Hillary and others are saying. In Europe you simply walk into a doctor's office or hospital and are treated, no co-pays and other insurance mumbo jumbo to deal with at all. How do they do this? Taxes pay for it. I'd say a raise in taxes would be worth it if anyone walking in off the street can be treated, no questions.

As for year-round school? I'm against getting rid of summer vacation. 2 1/2 months off isn't that much. It allows families to take vacations together during the good time of the year. But if you "must" go year round, guarantee that each child in a household is on the same "track" as all their siblings so the family can vacation together etc.

teacher | 4:15 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Why are you people slamming teachers???

The biggest concern we have is a democrat dressed up in a republican suit. He doesn't care about immigration but worried about my car idling?

People who work deserve health care!! Why should I pay for lazy bums who won't work?

Stick 'em up | 4:21 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

"Reach higher" is the mugger's stock in trade.

Aloha | 4:36 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Oh my...all I can say is that I am glad we have a well traveled and well educated Governor that has been blessed to be in the right circles all of his life. It does Utah good for a man of his values and connections to be our Guv.
Did any of you that want to think ill of him because he has just a few more dollars than we have watch Glenn Beck and hear the Huntsman Family Story..?? It is all about hard work and sacrifice, not money. Money is the bonus you get for working long, hard and honest hours no matter what generation you fall in a family. When you start slamming our Chief Executive you must have way too much time on your hands. Bravo to you Sir and your fine Family for your public service to my family and the Great State of Utah. Enjoyed all the teacher comments. If we do not wake up each morning reaching higher...why wake up at all.

Amazed | 5:22 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

This is the old bait and switch trick & you all are falling for it again! You are fussing about teachers and they are going to slip Health Reform in under your nose!

Everyone has the right to HC. Those working should get more. However these fellas are talking determining costs and that means determining if you deserve an MRI or not. You want Government or a DR telling you want you need? Since Gov. doesnt impress me, I'll take the Dr's advice thank you.

Everyone wants reform. However Guv is NOT talking about affordable, or helping small businesses offer insurance. This is sneaky and scarey!

Still confused | 5:26 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Why did the Guv speak in a fake foreign Italian accent when he introduced Mario Capecci the Nobel Prize winner. Isn't he an American? Doesn't he live in Utah like the rest of us? Would the Guv use a fake Souther Drawl or Texan accent if someone came from there?

russ | 6:54 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Mario Capecci: what a class act. I salute you and your hard work.
The Governor? Did he say anything about how the ledg. is bought and sold? Did he say anything about the Mormon church meeting with the leg. leaders in private before the leg. opened up for business? No?

Well, then that settles it: Mario, you are a class act.

Governor, you're not.

Grumpy | 7:01 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

If Huntsman would know what is going on in schools, he wouldn't make the stupid statements about the advantage of year round schools. When a teacher is off for the short time, the classroom is empty for the next 2 to 3 weeks. A teacher can't remove everything from the classroom that Friday night. Also, remember that in a year round school, the utilities bills continue. I guess that the photo opportunities are what is important and not the education of the students.

Silver Spoon | 7:02 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Watch and see what Huntsman does. He is just waiting until Bennet or Hatch retire and then he is going to coronate himself senator from Utah and get out of this state as fast as he can. He has no desire to be here and can't wait to get back to the "culture" and "sophistication" of DC. Huntsman is as plastic a politician as I have ever seen. He slicked his way to the governor's mansion. I saw it myself at the convention.

Teacher | 7:03 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

True- I'm guessing you learned to read and do mathematics somewhere along the way? That PhD. sounds nice, but you wouldn't have gotten to where you are without the critically important early education you have. You can believe that or not, but it's true. I started teaching late in life. I've had careers in law enforcement and sales. Teaching takes up more hours per year than either of those careers ever did. Lessons don't plan themselves and papers don't grade themselves. Just because a teacher can be home in the evening does not mean they are not working. Making learning meaningful for students 185 times in a row is the most mentally challenging task I've ever confronted.

Tired of speeches | 7:08 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

It's SOS, different year.

Health Care? | 7:11 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Universal Health care like the UK and Canada... AND %60 income tax for everyone goes with it. Just ask a Canadian or someone from the UK. That means the people now barely making ends meet will be on welfare. If you make $10/hr you will take home $4/hr count it up people. Stop the universal health care BEFORE it ruins our country!

Grumpy | 7:12 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Thanks to the Deseretnews.com for allowing us to view our thoughts.

Governor, you atended an opening for a community center adjacent to Rose Park Elementary school Your wife donated 125 books to the center. According to the news, those books were given to her from other schools. These books were probably given originally to other schools from an outside project.

Is that the Huntsman family way of making donations?
FOR SHAME!!! I can remember some months ago when senior Huntman wanted UTAH to give one of his charities $15 MILLION. Would that have come from a school budget?? FOR SHAME AGAIN!!!!

concerned | 7:47 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

I think that teachers need to be paid more. They also need to make it easier for teachers to return to work after they have had kids. I have heard that the school districts screw over teachers that take a leave from the profession. This is not fair. There are many women out there who have left the profession to have kids but want to return

We would be coming | 8:04 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

From a different place in our healthcare situation. We would not have the "socialized medicine" people are afraid of above. The ideas I've heard are much different than this and would allow for a person to have "regular" insurance, but the insurance companies would be required to have a "universal risk pool". We would also start to do away with pre-existing conditions and so many exclusions on the plans. This can work.

Hey Governor... | 8:15 p.m. Jan. 23, 2008

Governor..in case you forgot...where was Huntsman during the school voucher debate? Do you think we're going to forget the issue you campaigned on during the primary?? I know the Overstock .com owner will not forget the 1 million plus he gave your campaign!

I have some suggestions for you as to what the REAL issues are:

1. How about protecting Utahns by passing a tough illegal immigration law?

2. Send the surplus back to the taxpayers.

3. A tution/refundable tax credit for folks who send their kids to private schools based on income limits. You know...just like the federal tax credit for all colleges that is for public and private.

4. How about Utah cut the tax on food for good???

5. Continue to attract corporations...more jobs which is great for Utah.

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