Reader comments
Huntsman veto fight looms
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Tab L. Uno | 12:43 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
State Legislative micro-management of a multi-billion dollar state budget. The
governor needs more flexibility to enter into intrastate compacts. Republican
President Bush has been given authority to negotiate fast-track regional
compacts with other countries. President Bush has been given a strong
Presidential executive authority so why can't a Republican state
legislature be consistent with their own party values, a belief in strong state
government. It's the Democrats who believe in democratic, representative
government. Republican perhaps may need to switch parties. A $50,000 threshold
in today's economy is paltry. At a minimum, a $50,000,000 threshold would
be more workable if one is going to have a legislative oversight over interstate
compacts.
Anonymous | 5:30 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
The Governor is a good person. Future ones may not have the same respect for the
way they conduct side deals. If it is truelly an emergency the legislature can
be called into special session or it can wait till the next session.
Comments continue below
New Yorker | 6:39 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
To Jr. Jonny,
This isn't your daddy's money Jonny. It is the people's. Grow up. Why should you be given a blank check? You haven't earned the people's trust. In fact, you've lost it. If you get into Juan's cabinet, then you can spend the taxpayer's money freely without anyone looking over your shoulder demanding accountability. Geez, now that would be a novel idea.
This isn't your daddy's money Jonny. It is the people's. Grow up. Why should you be given a blank check? You haven't earned the people's trust. In fact, you've lost it. If you get into Juan's cabinet, then you can spend the taxpayer's money freely without anyone looking over your shoulder demanding accountability. Geez, now that would be a novel idea.
Someone | 7:19 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Some of these comments show an ignorance of government that is somewhat
surprising. Yes, the Governor executes laws, but if he isn't empowered to
do something, he's not empowered to enter into an agreement to do it and
thereby bind the state. That would be nuts. And the President's
fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements (which has expired) still
required congressional assent, it merely prevented Congress from amending the
agreement.
The legislative branch is the branch empowered to make law and spend money. "The Legislature needs a clue" doesn't seem to understand this. If the governor entered into an interstate agreement on climate change that required the state to expend millions more on certain programs and created additional legal obligations to the state, he is the one usurping a legislative function, not the other way around.
The legislative branch is the branch empowered to make law and spend money. "The Legislature needs a clue" doesn't seem to understand this. If the governor entered into an interstate agreement on climate change that required the state to expend millions more on certain programs and created additional legal obligations to the state, he is the one usurping a legislative function, not the other way around.
Ed | 7:21 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
This is the legislature's attempt to restrict the power of the Governor and
to send a message to him that they are going to go after him, especially since
he didn't push as hard for school voucher reform as they wanted him to.
They are in for a fight!
BH | 7:16 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
What is the purpose of this legislation? If my understaning is correct, it has
always been required that any agreement entered into by the executive branch has
to be ratified by the legislative branch. If the governer enters into an
agreement that the legislature fails to approve, then it is dead. Is this not
correct?
BBKing | 8:03 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
The sad thing about ignorance is the harm it can do.
So many people jump into this discussion, defending Huntsman with a passion and zeal of some cult following. We know how those end up.
The comments from (Someone 7:19am) are right on the money. Add to this, no Governor has abused this process like John Huntsman. Leavitt gets beat up periodically and he was never this boneheaded. In the 100 plus years of statehood Huntsman is the first to bind the state and the legislature to such an enormous degree. He needs to have a check and a balance, just as Congress is such on the President. Just as a City Council is on a Mayor, the legislature needs to be for the Governor.
The bottom line is John Huntsman is planning on running for US Senate. He has zip real foreign experience, except the Ambassadorship his Dad bought him, so he wants to put some impressive items on his resume. And it doesn't even matter to him if they do more harm than good.
His signing Utah up for the Kyoto Protocol will cost Utah up to 65,000 jobs! Lost wages totally up to $5 billion! Check-n-balance please!
So many people jump into this discussion, defending Huntsman with a passion and zeal of some cult following. We know how those end up.
The comments from (Someone 7:19am) are right on the money. Add to this, no Governor has abused this process like John Huntsman. Leavitt gets beat up periodically and he was never this boneheaded. In the 100 plus years of statehood Huntsman is the first to bind the state and the legislature to such an enormous degree. He needs to have a check and a balance, just as Congress is such on the President. Just as a City Council is on a Mayor, the legislature needs to be for the Governor.
The bottom line is John Huntsman is planning on running for US Senate. He has zip real foreign experience, except the Ambassadorship his Dad bought him, so he wants to put some impressive items on his resume. And it doesn't even matter to him if they do more harm than good.
His signing Utah up for the Kyoto Protocol will cost Utah up to 65,000 jobs! Lost wages totally up to $5 billion! Check-n-balance please!
Huntsman= Bad News | 8:20 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Huntsman is bad news for Utah
Not only is he weak on his stance toward illegal migration, but he supported McCain. I think Super Tuesday shows how many Utahns support McCain- about 10, maybe 20 people =) lol. No seriously how about if Romeny runs for Governor lets vote for him. Surely he'd be a much better governor than this somewhat liberal in republican clothing.
Not only is he weak on his stance toward illegal migration, but he supported McCain. I think Super Tuesday shows how many Utahns support McCain- about 10, maybe 20 people =) lol. No seriously how about if Romeny runs for Governor lets vote for him. Surely he'd be a much better governor than this somewhat liberal in republican clothing.
Gretzky | 8:14 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
no Ed, this is the legislature reigning in the liberalism of this current
governor. utah is paying the price for not electing Gov. Olene Walker after she
fulfilled Gov. Leavitt's term. Gov. Huntsman has NEVER had to worry about
money or whose money he was spending a day in his life. it's the silver
spoon phenomenon. so our legislature is simply reigning him in. this is good for
you and for me as taxpayers. the Gov will not call special sessions out of the
clear blue for fear of public reprisal. it's time for our Gov. to grow up.
Teo | 8:56 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
It has been very apparent, especially over the past year, that Huntsman's
first drive has not been for a better Utah but to advance his career. He has
been globe-trotting with McCain, cozied up to Arnold, folded to and fawned over
New England lobbyists, gives homage to the Mexican government -- and these are
just the things we know about. Huntsman is not about Utah first, he is about
Huntsman first. Is his heart on Hatch's job? Or maybe a cabinet position
in Washington? It is sad that the Utah Legislature has had to come to this but,
I for one, am very glad they are taking action. Who knows what else Huntsman
will do to promote himself to the beltway.
Legislative vs. Executive | 9:12 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Let's be clear that entering into an Executive Agreement can be either
legislative or executive. If the Agreement is designed to implement something
that has already been passed by the Legislature, then the Agreement is
Executive, and the Governor should not need approval from the Legislature.
However, if the Agreement does anything else, then it would be the creation of
new obligations on the state, which would qualify as Legislative. In that case,
the Governor would be usurping power not rightfully his under the Utah
Constitution. The law, as passed, appears just to require that the Governor
either get authorization from the Legislature before or after entering into an
Executive Agreement. In other words, the law simply requires what the Utah
Constitution requires, that the Executive refrain from making law. That sounds
like a good idea to me.
Micro micro-micromanagement | 10:05 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
In terms of money spent, it would have been a better bill if the threshhold were
a lot more than $50,000. It will be way too time consuming and big deterrent to
progress to have every little interstate agreement lined up to be poured over by
the legislature before approval.
However, the idea is good for larger expenditures.
However, the idea is good for larger expenditures.
DD | 10:52 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Would Romney even consider running for governor? I would vote for him in a
second. Between the avid support for McCain and the upcoming Vetoes of
immigration bills, Huntsman will just sink lower in public opinion. I would
love to see a governor who will lead out on some of these illegal immigration
issues instead of claiming to need to "study" them, or issuing vague
comments about needing to keep the status quo.
CM in Utah County | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Amen to those who have been tricked by Gov. Huntsman. His positions on climate
change, his early support and campaigning for John McCain, have all proven to me
that he is not a conservative Republican as he campaigned. I will not be
supporting him if he runs for reelection and would love to see a conservative,
limited government, limited spending Republican challenge him in the primaries.
Huntsman | 12:10 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Is not qualified
He needs not re run again, Not interested in the people of Utah
He needs not re run again, Not interested in the people of Utah
Bellweather | 1:52 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Interesting, Utah doing this might just set a bellweather event that could go to
the national level. If we had had a law like this at the national level, Bush
wouldn't be getting away with what he has and trying to commit us to a bad
policy agreement with Iraq for permanent bases and presence, etc.
A head of state is supposed to make treaties and the like, but they do have to be approved by the legislative body, even though the funding stuff is still in the air both at the federal and state level.
A head of state is supposed to make treaties and the like, but they do have to be approved by the legislative body, even though the funding stuff is still in the air both at the federal and state level.
DCF | 2:31 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Something stuck about some of the responses. Some have applauded Huntsman's
action as "courageous" or showing "backbone."
In one sense that is correct, but not where it counts. Those writers apparently missed many of the posts from today, and weeks/months prior.
John Huntsman has upset people primarily because he lied to them. During the Republican convention he told everyone what they wanted to hear. I have counted 17 posts from people who worked in his campaign four years ago and they have all said that he lied to them, and they won't support him again.
The issue for some is the extreme environmental positions he is taking. For a majority it is the simple complete lack of integrity. How much courage does it take to lie?
One person mentioned Olean Walker. I remember personally hearing John Huntsman privately bash Olean as 'nice, not enough energy, and very liberal.' Having been around Olean more than a few times, she never would have signed that treaty John did. And between the two she is likely more conservative than John with about three decades more experience than he has, even now!
John is not courageous. He is a liar. No courage there.
In one sense that is correct, but not where it counts. Those writers apparently missed many of the posts from today, and weeks/months prior.
John Huntsman has upset people primarily because he lied to them. During the Republican convention he told everyone what they wanted to hear. I have counted 17 posts from people who worked in his campaign four years ago and they have all said that he lied to them, and they won't support him again.
The issue for some is the extreme environmental positions he is taking. For a majority it is the simple complete lack of integrity. How much courage does it take to lie?
One person mentioned Olean Walker. I remember personally hearing John Huntsman privately bash Olean as 'nice, not enough energy, and very liberal.' Having been around Olean more than a few times, she never would have signed that treaty John did. And between the two she is likely more conservative than John with about three decades more experience than he has, even now!
John is not courageous. He is a liar. No courage there.
Reality Check | 3:49 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Dear DCF, etal.
John Hunstman is a silver spoon fed child who has never really been a part of a small business start up (from scratch) or has lived in the real gritty world. Why should anything different be expected of Huntsman?
As for Olean Walkr... now there's a person who has been in the trenches of small business, education and financially struggled, in middle class fashion, with day-to-day real life issues... I'd say she really represents the values and experiences of real Utahns.
There needs to be a concerted grass roots effort to get Olean on the ticket.. that said from an independent Democrat who really appreciates the kind of person and politics Olean represents.
Huntsman is a pretty boy who isn't too far behind Romney as to being Mr. Plastic, and hard to pin down where he stands on some important issues that affect all Utahns.
John Hunstman is a silver spoon fed child who has never really been a part of a small business start up (from scratch) or has lived in the real gritty world. Why should anything different be expected of Huntsman?
As for Olean Walkr... now there's a person who has been in the trenches of small business, education and financially struggled, in middle class fashion, with day-to-day real life issues... I'd say she really represents the values and experiences of real Utahns.
There needs to be a concerted grass roots effort to get Olean on the ticket.. that said from an independent Democrat who really appreciates the kind of person and politics Olean represents.
Huntsman is a pretty boy who isn't too far behind Romney as to being Mr. Plastic, and hard to pin down where he stands on some important issues that affect all Utahns.
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That would be the best thing Huntsman does and call them into session every week just to get back at them for upsurping Executive functions and for violating the Utah Constitution in the process. It seems that Garn and other legislators want to play Department Heads and Governor so let them have a go at it.
When their bosses fire them for having to take time away from their jobs every week they might change their minds about the unconstitutional decision to infringe on an Executive function. The legislature should stay with "making laws" and allow the Governor to implement those laws as he sees fit and not infringe on his rights to do so. Governors from other states should call up Garn at home everytime they want to talk about an inter-state agreement and make sure to do it at dinner time so that he, his wife and his children get the message.