St. George » Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Utah is poised to be viewed as a safe haven for capital and businesses once the nation rebounds from its economic crisis.
Speaking to about 850 business people attending the Washington County Economic Development Summit at the Dixie Center in St. George, Huntsman said the state has the fundamentals to survive the economic downturn and emerge stronger, smarter and faster than the rest of the country.
Four years ago, Huntsman traveled the state and compiled a list of 10 things that Utahns considered important issues.
In his revised list, the governor said there are items that were not mentioned in the original list.
One item is health care, which Huntsman said should be reformed so all Utahns can purchase affordable health insurance.
He said the issue should be of primary importance to the Legislature, which convenes Jan. 26.
"We can make it happen," Huntsman said. "It won't be easy, but we need to create a model."
He also emphasized the importance of education and compensating teachers at a "respectable" level.
Huntsman said the Legislature should also properly prioritize teacher pay.
The governor also wants to enhance Utah's image and seeks to increase tourism from 20 million visitors in 2008 to 25 million by 2012.
Energy independence is also a priority for Huntsman as he begins his second four-year term. He said natural gas will become more prominent as oil prices start climbing again.
Huntsman suggested the possibility of Utah being home to corridors across the state for transporting natural gas.
House Speaker David Clark, traveling with the governor while he was in St. George, leads a legislative task force trying to cobble together an insurance initiative he said will depend on cooperation from politicians, health professionals and administrators.
"We need all hands on deck," Clark said.
After the summit, Huntsman helped dedicate a solar farm completed last month that allows St. George residents to purchase 1 kilowatt units for $6,000.
So far, the city has erected 466 solar panels and sold about 200 units.
The city's SunSmart program allows residents to go all or partially solar without the expense and labor of installing their own panels.
Huntsman told a crowd of about 100 people under a blue, cloudless sky he wants Utah to be the premier state in the increasingly popular field of renewable energy.
The governor said Utah has the land, a fair grid system and entrepreneurial spirit to make it happen.
Huntsman congratulated St. George as a positive example. "[As a city,] You are not just talking the talk, you're walking the walk."
