February 19, 2004

One concern that I have is that they will use the one-time money on ongoing programs. And that's what I've been talking about structural balance, and that's a red flag.

Reporters (in order of appearance):

KEN VERDOIA, KUED
MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS
TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS
LEE AUSTIN, UTAH PUBLIC RADIO
DAN BAMMES, KUER
KIRSTEN STEWART, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
JOSH LOFTIN, DESERET MORNING NEWS

Transcript:

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor Walker, thanks for joining us today. Late yesterday the Utah State Legislature acted to pass a bill stating that marriage in Utah will be defined as a union between a man and a woman. Now this has been a very controversial issue being debated throughout our nation. That bill is on its way to your desk. What is your initial reaction to this bill, and more importantly, what does Utah gain by passing such a measure?

GOVERNOR WALKER: We already have on the books a definition of marriage between the traditional marriage. I guess this adds a man and a woman. Some would think that's necessary, and I will look at it very closely as it reaches my desk. We've had zero bills reach our office. There are roughly 88 that have been passed, but so far they haven't been enrolled and sent down. So I have 20 days after the session to ponder each one of these bills, and that will be among them.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: This is not the type of bill that prompts an initial reaction from you on whether it falls in the category of yes or no?

GOVERNOR WALKER: It doesn't. Because we have, already have that law on the books. I want some legal interpretations of what, A, adds to the law. And there may be other parts of it that need to be reviewed to see whether it strengthens our law, or whether our current law even needs strengthening. Those are the issues that I will ask the legal experts.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: There's also a Constitutional amendment on the same issue going through the legislature. I understand that wouldn't go through your office, that would be directly to the public if it passes.

GOVERNOR WALKER: That's correct.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: But do you think that this is an issue that rises to that level, needing to change the state Constitution?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I suspect if it were to pass, that it would probably get the support of the people. Primarily because it's become such a national issue. The fact that we already have a statute to that effect may have people say, "Well, so does California, and they totally ignored it. So a Constitution revision, a new Constitution article will strengthen that law so it's even more clear." I'm not certain that's necessary, but certainly I believe in the traditional marriage, and I think most of the people in the state of Utah do. It seems a little overkill. I believe there's a resolution also, but maybe we need to say it three times. That'll be a decision I'll have to determine.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: Do you believe that the traditional marriage is threatened? That seems to be the philosophy behind all of these moves, that there's a threat to the traditional marriage from the act of gay people getting married.

GOVERNOR WALKER: That's correct. I think that certainly a lot of people in the state do. But I feel that Utah's laws are for Utahns, and what they do in California or Massachusetts doesn't have an effect. I think the concern by some is the fact that, well, if states start and have a different interpretation, that eventually it'll end up perhaps in the arena of the congress, and that there may be a movement to change it on the federal level, and so some feel that we've got to do everything possible in the state of Utah to make a statement that we believe in the traditional marriage. And I strongly believe in the traditional marriage. So I'll have to consider those.

TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS: This brings up the larger issue of the message bills in general, because that's obviously not the only one. These are ones that have notes attached. Noting they're probably unconstitutional and will be challenged. This is expensive. And because they may be unconstitutional and they will clearly cost money, certainly the staff attorneys and the attorney general's office would all rather not have to put their time into that because they are a profit center for the state. Would it be appropriate to take that approach, to say bills that are actually going to cost us a lot of money to have to defend might be appropriate not to move forward?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think that's a decision I will have to make. I assume that's the decision the legislature made, that getting the message out was worth the cost. And again, I'll have to weigh those very carefully. In some cases I may think that, yes, we need to make a strong statement. In other message bills, I think that there are some areas that may affect different entities in our state, such as the indirect costs in the one abortion bill. I'm going to have to meet with the hospitals, and determine what their concerns are. And I'll have to weigh those bills very carefully. I am not going to automatically sign them, or automatically veto them without a great deal of legal expert- - expertise given on the subject.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor Walker, we turn our attention now to Logan where we have a question from Lee Austin standing by, Utah Public Radio. Lee?

LEE AUSTIN, UTAH PUBLIC RADIO: Thank you. Meanwhile, amidst this, there is the small matter of the budget. It's been a couple of days since the latest revenue projections came out. I'm wondering, I imagine there have been a series of meetings ongoing with you and with legislative leaders and others. Given a couple of days now to look at those numbers and what you hear from the executive appropriations, what do you think the key issues are now on how they use the new revenue? What they go after? What they don't? What sorts of things are you talking about with the leadership?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Obviously it gives them more flexibility than I had when I did my budget, mainly in November. The ongoing revenues are up roughly $30 million, the one-time monies up $70 million, and so that really gives them some flexibility. One concern that I have is that they will use the one-time money on ongoing programs. And that's what I've been talking about structural balance, and that's a red flag. They've got to use that one-time money on buildings, on roads, or some area where it really can be used as one-time money. They have a little greater flexibility in what they do, but I can guarantee you they are still going to have to either use some of the revenue sources that I did, or they're going to have to prioritize what they've already sent through committees. I'm very concerned about how high their bonding list has gone, and we're going to have to work with them on all those areas.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Governor, your budget proposed substantial increases in public education, as well as a pay raise for public employees.

GOVERNOR WALKER: Right.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: What is the status of those priorities as the legislature moves into the last two weeks of the session?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I still get strong verbal support for them. I think the legislature is committed to education, they're committed to making certain that every child has the basic skills. I think they'll have to go through a struggle to find the funding for them. I found some very politically sensitive areas that I think, I thought they needed to really look at. We need to look at them for the future of whether, in good times, we do vertical revenue sharing, or how we handle other areas. They need to look at them for the future. But the ball's in their court. They're either going to have to determine that they won't fund certain areas, or cut certain areas to meet what they currently have the expectations to fund. It's still a difficult process, because while there's a feeling, well, the that revenues are up it's easier. That isn't the case. They're still going to have to make some very serious decisions on where that revenue goes.

KIRSTEN STEWART, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Governor, there's another cost associated with these so-called message bills, and that's the cost that may come through Utah, or large businesses that were thinking of relocating to Utah saying, "No, now we're not going to, we're sort of frightened away by this." You said you're concerned about Utah's image, but I wonder do you share the view with your republican colleagues that these message bills are having no effect on Utah's economic development efforts?

GOVERNOR WALKER: You can't deny that they may be having some effect on the image. The fact that gay marriages are an issue in many, many states, we're not alone in that arena. So other states are struggling with that particular issue. Obviously the one that probably is singled out most often is our getting out of the U.N., And that hasn't made rapid progress through the senate. So I may never see it. Though I wouldn't see it anyway. Because they asked if I wanted it a joint or a concurrent, and of course I said a joint, don't send it down. So I will never see that. Overall, I think the message bills may have effect on an image. There may be some that, "Hey, they have strong values. Let's consider Utah." I think it may play a very minor part, but the ultimate decision of whether companies come to Utah, they're far more interested in a well-trained, well-educated work force. They are far more trained- - interested in our overall business climate, and that's one reason we have to keep Utah business climate very friendly. I believe they're much more concerned on quality of life issues overall.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Governor, as a leader in Utah's Republican party, though, are you concerned that some members of the legislature are trapped in a right-wing ideology that's not serving the state well as they pay attention to these message issues as opposed to, you know, revenue projections and funding education and important business?

GOVERNOR WALKER: There's no denying that this is an election year, and these message issues become more apparent in an election year. And certainly when there's a governor's race, that even intensifies it over the off-year election, where there isn't such a high visibility of people running for office. So we've had more message bills this year than I can ever remember. Now, I don't know whether it's concern that the Republican convention is geared to the more conservative Republicans, I suspect that's the case. I do have a concern about it, because I think both parties, both the Democratic and the Republican party, have the same concern. That those that are willing to go to the caucus meetings and then spend a full Saturday in a convention tend to be the extremes on both sides. So politicians have to pay attention in Utah to that convention process. My message would be to encourage more people to attend those caucuses, so that we have the more mainstream Republicans and the mainstream Democrats getting involved in the process.

TOM JORDAN, METRO NETWORKS: Governor, there is a bill making its way through, may get all the way through the legislature, dealing with the issue of the tourism industry. It's a $4.3 billion industry, and is labor intensive. We've been losing ground to every state around us on tourists. We are funding less to try to promote the state, and we're being outspent 10 to 1 by Colorado. Is this something you see as a positive move to both create jobs and improve the image of the state by bringing out-of-state money that comes with the tourism industry and at functionally no cost to the state itself to set up a fund that can do that?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I'm always concerned about jobs. We've got to have jobs in the state of Utah, and tourism is something that brings in jobs. Often they're not the high-paying jobs. So we need a balance. We need a full spectrum of jobs. Jobs that often may not pay as much as other jobs, but are critical to the state of Utah, because you take the ski industry. This year it's blossomed. It's been great, never has skiing been better. And skiers bring in a great deal of money. Along with what we're doing, we've got to use our money better. We've got to focus in on those tourism dollars that bring in a tax return to the state of Utah. And I think that's important that we analyze it in terms of the dollar return that it'll bring in.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED:: Lee Austin from Logan indicates that he would like to follow up on this same topic, so I'll give Lee that opportunity.

LEE AUSTIN, UTAH PUBLIC RADIO: Thank you. The mechanism for that is, in fact, a tax increase for people who eat in restaurants and perhaps drive to Salt Lake and stay overnight in one of the hotels.
So you have to weigh that as well. The cable TV tax that was passed at the last minute in the last session, a small amount to close the budget was apparently unpopular and that's going to be repealed.

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think that's always a problem. Again, I didn't expect it to be repealed when I did my budget, so those numbers are still in my budget. But of course we've moved on. We're now looking at the legislators' budget. If they repeal it, they'll have to either cut programs or find money to replace that money. And I have some concern about what they call these boutique tax increases, because our sales tax, we're ninth in the nation on sales tax, and that's the basic tax that funds general state obligations. And if we spend all that money in boutique-type things, allowing the counties to impose a quarter here, a sixteenth there, an eighth here, pretty soon we won't be ninth, we will be moving closer to number one. And there's a point where I think the sales tax will be maxed out, and I'm very concerned that we look at it in terms of the future of Utah, of where we want to go in terms of funding the basic obligations of the state.
That's one reason that I determined we've got to do an overall tax reform. Because we tend to do some things in the long run for the future of Utah, doesn't make a great deal of sense. Now, certainly I'm concerned about tourism, but somehow we've got to look at the overall direction we're going, and say, how high can we go on sales tax? Because that's the preferred tax increase.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: The existing suggestion for tax reform on the hill comes from the Jones-Mascaro bill. They're talking about that up there today, and whether to rebracket income taxes to raise some money, raise taxes on the high end, on the low end lower taxes, and take some child tax credits away. What do you think about that?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I'll be surprised if it passes, but if it passes I'll seriously look at it, in probably a favorable light. If they determine that it will pass. I suspect it won't pass.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: But you would support a change like that?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Well, we've got to look at our total tax structure, and I prefer to wait to do it in that total tax reform package. That would be my preference. But if there's strong support in one direction, I will strongly consider it. However, it will also be on the table on our tax reform package as we look at the overall picture. If it passes.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Excuse me, Governor, we've been talking about a number of so-called message bills, and that brings up the concept of the election year. And many times these message bills are used as, quote unquote, litmus tests.

GOVERNOR WALKER: That's right.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Of a candidate. "How did you vote on abortion? How did you vote on the U.N.? How did you vote in parental rights?" What do you think of litmus tests for elected officials, especially in an election year? Are they legitimate measuring sticks of the contribution of a public official, or are they misused?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I think if they do more good than harm for the citizens of the state, they're fine. If they do the opposite, I have grave concerns. Because if a bill has a negative effect on what happens to the general citizenry of Utah, just to get a message out, then I think, I have grave reservations on it, because I think that you're using the legitimate Democratic process for the wrong reason. I think that- - We have a strong Democratic process in our country and in our state. It's a miracle that 104 people can come together and in 45 days pass laws and do a budget. But if that is misused in terms of election procedures, then I think I have to seriously question that process.

DAN BAMMES, KUER: Governor, to follow up on that, is there room any more in the Utah legislature, in Utah's elected office generally, for moderate Republicans, or has the Republican party been hijacked by right-wing ideologs?

GOVERNOR WALKER: There's definitely room for those legislators. You have many that are there currently, and certainly I think that the general population, again, that's a strong reason to attend your caucus, to make certain that your concepts of government are represented in the process.

TOM JORDAN, Metro Networks: Governor, on the issue of perhaps maybe your top priority, the reading program.

GOVERNOR WALKER: Yes.

TOM JORDAN, Metro Networks: Have you been, to use your phrase yesterday, using your motherly instincts to talk to the recalcitrant fringe of the class up here or you will send them to the corner with a dunce cap to lobby your issue? Do you expect to get funding on that issue?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I try to mention it every opportunity, and thank you for giving me another one. I think there's strong support on it. The only question is where are the revenues, and will they see it as a top priority when it comes to some other issues? I see it as a top priority. For the first time I see a little chink in perhaps the armor of some of the caucuses where they're saying, "Hey, maybe we ought to re-look at what we've been doing in the past, and putting a lot of general fund money into roads, maybe we ought to re-look at it and prioritize the important roads." Now, I'd be the first to say we've got a critical problem in maintaining our transportation systems, both in highways, commuter rail, and light rail. Again, we've got to re-look at how we allocate our taxes, however, to make certain we meet the most critical needs in all of the areas, transportation and education.

KIRSTEN STEWART, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Governor, we've got about two weeks left in the session. You have listed these budget priorities. If for some reason you don't get them, especially your top priorities, you know, the reading and the increase in the WPU for schools, will that influence your decision to run or not run for governor in 2004?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I don't know that that will influence it, but I can tell you, I am very committed to those two priorities, and I'm also very committed to keep responsible balance in our budget. I don't want a lot of one-time money in our budget, because of structural balance. I don't want a high bonding rating. Those three things are my priorities, and I've, I'm very strong on those, I will continue to work hard to preserve. Not only the two funding issues, but some fiscal responsibility in terms of bonding and one-time money. So- - and I'm committed to those ideas, and I haven't backed off one inch on any one of them.

JOSH LOFTIN, DESERET MORNING NEWS: Another bill that's being discussed today is the tuition tax credits. There's been some changes to that. What's your feelings about that proposal?

GOVERNOR WALKER: I've said, if they can bring to my desk a tuition tax credit that does not have an effect on the public education in the short term, as long as the long term, I will look at it. I've yet to see that bill.

MAX ROTH, FOX 13 NEWS: As governor you get to do some other things, and I know this last weekend you got to perform your first marriage. How did it go?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Isn't that amazing? It went very well. Both of the individuals were long-time friends. I probably was more nervous than they were. I had never seen myself as one that would be performing marriages. It went very well. It was such a joyous occasion. I enjoyed it.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor, among the bills that the legislature has been dancing with back and forth, shifting fortunes for parental rights bills, and trying to reinterpret what is the appropriate role for the state in that very difficult, very complex area of intervening in a family for the well-being of a child. I know you've expressed this is one of the most sensitive relationships that exists. Is our system as it currently stands in need of that adjustment of a reconsideration? Are we not living up to what we should be doing in your opinion?

GOVERNOR WALKER: Utah has perhaps one of the best systems in the country in terms of laws. There is one area that can be strengthened, and that's the money available for parents for their legal services. We are looking at that. There's a bill that we're working on, I think that would strengthen that. But overall we have a system which I think brings the best balance between parental rights, or responsibility, and the child's rights, or the child abuse, of any place in the country. So we are looking at all those bills very, very carefully. And I will view them in terms if they do more good than harm.

KEN VERDOIA, KUED: Governor, we are out of time. Thank you so much for your time today. A reminder that a transcript and video archives are available on line courtesy of the Utah Education Network, www.uen.org. Thanks for joining us.

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