This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Gov. Gary Herbert prevaricates.
Herbert says that he is concerned about filthy air. He suggests getting more people out of cars and onto public transit.
But modern gasoline engines are very clean. Although gasoline outsells diesel fuel by roughly 10 gallons to one, studies show that diesel emissions are responsible for 65-90 percent of vehicular particulate pollution. To talk about reducing air pollution without mentioning diesels (or refineries and other major industrial sources) is prevarication.
The governor says he wants to improve education. But the greatest shortcoming of Utah schools is overcrowded classrooms. Smaller classes in grades K-3 have been shown to be of critical importance to improving subsequent academic performance and greater earnings as adults.
Overcrowding can be relieved only by hiring more teachers. The only way to hire more teachers is to provide more money. To talk about improving education without advocating increased funding (at least in K-3) is prevarication.
Has Gov. Herbert told us the simple truth about anything?
Brooke Jennings
Salt Lake City