August 26, 2004

"From studying Constitutional law...I believe that the Constitutions are best that give simple principles, and the specifics are left as statutes," says Governor Olene Walker.

Reporters (in order of appearance):

KEN VERDOIA, KUED
TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS
DAN BAMMES, KUER
REBECCA WALSH, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
LISA RILEY ROCHE, DESERET NEWS

Transcript:

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor, thanks for joining us today. In fact you are freshly returned from a trade mission to the nation of Mexico, primarily in Veracruz. Can you give us an overview of what the mission was for, and what may have been discussed with the Mexican representatives?

GOVERNOR WALKER: It was a very fast trip but very successful. I returned yesterday. I left Sunday, so it was a quick trip, two days in Vera Cruz, and then a dinner in Mexico City. Several business people went with us, several individuals from West Valley City, because the governor of Veracruz, Governor Alleman, had brought Michah Head, West Valley City, and it was such an exciting event they were invited to return to Veracruz. But we had people that went with us dealing with tourism, and they found very good results. In fact they worked out three different charter groups coming to ski in Utah this winter.Of course there are a few immigration problems they've got to work out in getting visas, but they felt it was very successful.

Actually, we left several people in Veracruz because they were having such success. One of them, those with Sorenson Labs, found out that they could get permission from Governor Alleman and his staff to go into a remote tribal village to get DNA, and they were very excited about it. First they thought they would go back later, but they are having elections on September the 2nd, and the current governor cannot run a second time, they have term limits, one term, six-year terms, so they thought we'd better act while we have that permission and that cooperation. So today they're being helicoptered into these remote tribes to get DNA, which will expand their base, and they were very excited about it.

They've also are working with the hospitals on some mutually beneficial aspects of lab work, so it was a very diverse type of trip. Ironically, we visited one of their great museums with a lot of their ancient relics, and we worked out a trade, the details will have to be worked out, but at least the idea that maybe we could send them some dinosaurs, and they would send some of their very ancient stone relics to Utah that dates well before the time of Christ. So it was not just business, it was archeological exchanges, as well as scientific exchanges, and I would say, for basically a two-and-a-half-day trade mission, it was remarkably successful.

TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS: You also spent time in Mexico City, though, right?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes. Actually, we arrived in Mexico City late in the afternoon, went to dinner, and left the next morning. But we met with the head of their foreign relations, foreign affairs. Talked a great deal about issues dealing with Mexican citizens, as well as undocumented immigrants, and talked about some of the future issues that we would need to resolve, and how we could better work together to resolve those issues.

They have great concerns, as do we, about the numbers of undocumented immigrants coming to our state. It's interesting, one of the things we talked about, and they suggested, was the possibility of their funding a research grant to the University of Utah to analyze why undocumented aliens are, not undocumented immigrants, but how Mexicans could come to a state like Utah and become citizens, and within one generation some of them become millionaires, because they were willing to start businesses. And they asked me the question, "Why don't they do it in our own country, when they seem to be able to do it in a state like Utah?" To become more self-sufficient and have that entrepreneurial spirit to start a business, and they want to find out why their citizens can do it here in Utah, and they don't do it in Mexico. And I thought that would be an interesting study. I didn't have any answers for them.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: With between 60,000 to 90,000 undocumented immigrants from Mexico now living in Utah, can that forge closer ties between this state and that nation, and how might those be taken advantage of?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, I think it presented problems. It presents problems of how we deal with them, and the concern of how we limit those individuals coming into our country. For Utah, it raises issues, could our tourism industry survive without some of these individuals? Could our agricultural industries survive without some of these individuals? Are there benefits of having them?

And you have to compare those facts with the negatives of having people that aren't legally here within the rule of law. And I have grave concerns about that, because we're a nation that lives by the rule of law. And I'm concerned that we make exceptions. So somehow it seems to me there's got to be some way to work out these issues and these problems, and still make it within the rule of law. We're not there yet. And I understand it's a federal issue, but I think as states we have to be concerned about the problems and the issues that undocumented immigrants have for the state. But we have to realize also there's some benefits.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Governor, you've delayed the release of your tax reform package.

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: When do you suppose that might be coming out, and what's holding it up?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I can tell you what's holding it up is we continually get new facts and figures and crunch the numbers, and making them work as we want them to work so that it's revenue neutral, without unforetold impacts on certain segments of our society, and we're still working on that balance. I can guarantee you it'll be before I leave office, but I'm very hesitant to make a second definite date on it, because I was wrong on the first one and I want to be right on the second. So it will be in the near future.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: What's been the most difficult specific issue that you've had to resolve in working this out?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Getting accurate information on statistic, on the data and the information, and being able to make certain that we have reliable information that we can make reasoned decisions on. And certainly, it's like a big balloon, taxes, if you punch it here it pokes out there, and we found it very difficult to look at all taxes and make logical decisions on so many different taxes, and bring them into harmony or balance between the state and local governments.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Who are you getting input from on this? Academics? Business communities? Who's involved in this?

GOVERNOR WALKER: The advisors I've selected are some of the best people in the state, not only in the state, but some of them have worked on a national level on tax issues, and international levels. And it's quite surprising, some of their comments, because they feel like we have the best information of any state, or country they've ever worked with. So we've been able to get a lot of information, facts and figures, to analyze our taxes historically, to analyze trends, to see the direction we're going, and then make assumptions for the future. But when you're dealing with so many different taxes, and so many different impacts, we want to make certain that we're accurate and that we're fair, and have a balanced proposal before we release it.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Who, for example, is working on this with you, inside and outside state government?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, Gary Cornea, probably the best known for tax policy around the country and around the world, Ray Nelson, Keith Prescott, Bruce Johnson, Pam Hendrickson, and from my staff, you have Val Oveson, who's worked with IRS, we have Leo Memmott, who's worked with the legislature for years and years, and we have Lynn Ward, who's been budget director and worked with the budget for many years. I don't know anyone in Utah more knowledgeable than the last three people that I mentioned. We've got expertise from the tax commission, and certainly we have the global expert that we feel are there without conflict of interest, but very knowledgeable.

REBECCA WALSH, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: You reportedly have said that you would be more comfortable with a more simple marriage amendment. What are your concerns about the second part of Utah's marriage amendment?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, I think it's quite well known that I have stated that I believe in the traditional definition of marriage between a man and a woman. From studying Constitutional law and the Constitution, I believe that the Constitutions are best that give simple principles, and the specifics are left as statutes. And certainly our Constitution in our country is a good example of what a Constitution should be. Very simple principles and guidelines. And I think that's the best kind of Constitution. There's a lot of information out there for the people to analyze, to study. Ironically, Constitutional amendments do not pass over my desk. They're passed by two-thirds vote in the legislature, and then go directly to the people. So I urge citizens to study and analyze and make their decision.

REBECCA WALSH, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: You've heard the three candidates for attorney general talk about their concerns and the fallout. Are you concerned about potential fallout for other Utah families?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, I mean, you know, you have to look at that and understand that there probably will be fallout. There'll probably be a lot of legal issues in the future.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Do you share the opinion of Attorney General Shurtleff, for example, that the second half of amendment 3 would be difficult to administer and enforce, and therefore oppose the amendment?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I will leave that up to him. It's his interpretation, because he's the one in state government that analyzes the law, and he's in a perfect position to make that interpretation.

LISA RILEY ROCHE, DESERET NEWS: Governor, yes or no on the amendment as far as you personally?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, you know, I will have to make those same weighty decisions. Because I believe in the definition of marriage between a man and a woman, which is the first part. Does that outweigh maybe the second part that has some more complex issues? And like every other citizen, when I go to vote in November I'm going to have to analyze those two aspects, and make a decision.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor, there are issues being presented nationally that characterize this, if you believe in the traditional definition that there are simpler ways of going about it such as Missouri, or there are similar ways to Utah's interpretation, which would include Nebraska and Louisiana, which are now subject to lengthy legal challenges and involve legal challenges. So there's a right way to do it and a wrong way to it. And I guess the essential question is, are we doing it the right way or are we, in fact, doing it the wrong way?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think I've already mentioned that I would prefer the simpler way, such as Nebraska. I don't have that choice to impact what happened in the legislature. I didn't have the choice to make my opinion known in what is presented to us. So at this point, you have to make a decision.

REBECCA WALSH, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: You were a member of the Constitutional Revision Commission.

GOVERNOR WALKER: Right.

REBECCA WALSH, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Do you think that this should have gone through the Constitutional Revision Commission before voters?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Would you oppose it, therefore, on that basis?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think I've made it very clear that I want the citizens to analyze it and make that decision for themselves.

MATTHEW EVANS, OGDEN STANDARD EXAMINER: Have you made your decision on whether you'll vote for it or against it?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Repeat the question, please.

MATTHEW EVANS, OGDEN STANDARD EXAMINER: Have you decided whether you'll vote for or against it?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I'll make that decision when I get to the voting booth.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: To persue this one to an exacting degree, let me shift gears and draw your attention to a special session which has been tentatively set for September.

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Although a a date has not been set in it as I refer to the call, what the agenda is not even specifically set. How is that shaping up in September? Do you now have issues that are earmarked clearly that you intend to see on that special session call?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think there's a great possibility we'll have a special session on interim day in September. I think there's some issues that are clearly apparent dealing with corrections, for example. We funded money for the Oxbow Prison. That hasn't worked out with the county. And the needs of the correctional system, especially dealing with female correction inmates, is critical, and I think we're going to have to deal with that, and I think that we're looking at solutions that are reasonable. There are other issues that are likely to come up. If they have the votes in the house and senate, and if there's issues that need to be solved before the January legislative session, I'm willing to put them on the call. But the criteria is that there's reasons that it can't wait until January, and secondly, they've got to have the votes so it isn't a prolonged debate.

LISA RILE ROCHE, DESERET NEWS: Governor, you have said that you like the solution proposed by corrections to spend some federal money to build county facilities in Millard and Beaver Counties, that the state, the Department of Corrections would then lease those beds. Apparently Republican leadership has not signed off on that. Is that something you're going to push?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think we've got to find an immediate solution of how we deal with finding facilities for female prisoners and free up enough beds to get us through the next year. The issue of what we do in the future in getting additional beds is critical, because we have to start and plan now. But I look at it almost in two parts. The immediate solution for solving additional beds for female prisoners, which would free up beds for male prisoners, and the secondary issue, which is equally critical, of what we do in the future. I am not- - I'm willing to look at both sides. I'm willing to look at privatizing the facility. If that makes financial sense, or as we've been doing in the past, in many cases, working with the counties, where they build additional space in their jails to house state prisoners until their populations expand. There are pros and cons of both sides of the issue, and I'm willing to look at the bottom line to see what makes sense for the future of Utah.

TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS: Governor, I want to ask one of the usual water subsidies. Right now we are paying for sales tax to a water subsidy fund, and it's about $20 million a year. Is that something that you would be considering as something you might be looking at on the tax reform issue? And I think you have had this thing for just across-the-board water subsidies, right?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, last year in tough budget issues I looked at it, because every year- - Actually totally there are about $700 million in that fund, and every year there are about $45 million available for new loans, because loans are continually revolving. I think there's still some great needs in that area for small municipalities and small water districts. But I think maybe we need to relook at some of that money, because I'm very concerned that we need to start planning for getting additional water out of the Colorado River for the future of Utah, both in eastern Utah, and particularly in Washington County, because of the great growth in Washington County. And I'm concerned that, as Arizona, Nevada, California continue to grow, and already I've heard for the first time in the Western Governor's meetings, rumblings that we needed to relook at the appropriation, the allocation of the Colorado River water.

I think that we'd better start planning to get our share, because there's some feeling that, use it or lose it. Now, there are a lot of issues involved in that decision, and it isn't something that will happen overnight or next year or in two years. But I think it's time that Utah start looking to the future, and how we can look at terms of funding such projects to utilize the water that is currently allocated to the state. Because I'm certain the future growth of Utah, at some point, will be determined by water. Now, I think that we're fine until perhaps the year 2050 or even beyond. But I think right now that we need to start and think about our water resources in terms of conservation, of how we use the water, of better allocation of the water, and how we can develop our last remaining resources of water.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has taken up the closed--Indian proposal for the temporary storage of high-level radioactive waste on the Skull Valley Goshute Indian Reservation west of Salt Lake City. Inside sources are indicating that the NRC is slowly dealing with the concerns that have been put before that project, and we may be moving towards an ultimate permit by the NRC for that project to go forward. If that--I know you don't enjoy hypothetical questions--but what would be the next step for Utah, since the opposition of state government has been so adamant?

GOVERNOR WALKER: We're looking at every option. We're looking at appealing court decisions, we're looking at different avenues, we're looking at protecting the test, Air Force test range out near Skull Valley. We are looking at every option we have. And we will pursue every option to see that that does not happen.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: The Yucca Mountain location which was designated by the Bush Administration as the permanent location for the storage of high-level nuclear waste has apparently been put back in the plane because of presidential politics, and many people are saying, "You, Yucca Mountain, may, in fact, come off the table." Does that create increased pressure for a state such as Utah and a, quote-unquote, temporary solution? Could politics, in fact, run afoul of Utah?

GOVERNOR WALKER: We are very concerned about that. We recognize that Nevada is a state that the vote can go either way. And so I think politics are being played in Nevada. And we have a great concern about what is happening in Nevada. We certainly follow the political aspect with great interest. We're planning a meeting with our delegation in Washington, and we need to work closely with them, and use every strategy we can. Who knows, I may have to organize grandmas laying down in front of railroad trains or trucks if it comes to that, but I think we're willing to pursue every angle.

LISA RILE ROCHE, DESERET NEWS: Governor, another issue that we've heard may be on the special session call deals with exempting soldiers in Iraq from paying income tax in the state of Utah on their earnings as military personnel. Is that something you support, and is it something that needs to be dealt with in a special session?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think that we all have great support and concern about our soldiers in Iraq, our National Guard. And as we look at the sacrifice they make, both in terms of leaving their families and what their families endure, and many of them end up with far less salary as members of the National Guard than what they make in private life. So we need to look at that. The immediacy of that issue is the fact that we have to get it within this tax period prior to the time the tax commission sends out the tax forms. So it is an issue that cannot wait until January if we want that advantage given to the National Guard members for this tax year. So it's definitely something that we are looking at including on the special session.

LISA RILE ROCHE, DESERET NEWS: What's the price tag for that for the state?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I understand it's around $5 million.

LISA RILE ROCHE, DESERET NEWS: Is that money that would come out of the surplus fund?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes. It would have to be one-time money, because of it coming out of the surplus fund.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: We have less than a minute left. How about 30 seconds on some good economic news? Job growth in Utah was 1.9 percent, upward mobility, first time in a couple of years. That seems to be good news. Do you think the economy is recovering?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I'm excited about that news, and I kid about the fact that it kind of turned around the minute I became governor. But the truth of the matter is that the economy is changing almost all over the United States. We're very pleased with those figures, with the number of jobs that are occurring in Utah, and we continually make announcements about new companies, new jobs, growth of companies in Utah, and we're very pleased with that information. It bodes well for Utah.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: And on that note, a reminder that a transcript of this of this and every Governor's Monthly News Conference is available on line courtesy of the Utah Education Network at www.uen.org. Until next time, thanks for joining us.

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