Utah Governor Pushes Education, Health-Care Goals in State Address

Utah has never been stronger and should serve as a model for the rest of the nation, Gov. Gary Herbert boasted in his annual State of the State address, while calling on lawmakers to do more to address health care for low-income residents, to improve air quality and to help provide opportunities in rural Utah.

 

"I believe there has never been a better time to live, to work and to raise a family in this state," Herbert said.

 

It was Herbert's sixth annual address to the Legislature, and the governor spent much of the time focusing on his record during that tenure — increased education spending, air-quality improvements and a recovery from the Great Recession.

 

It also included many similar themes to past addresses, such as bemoaning federal government encroachment, and modest new initiatives.

 

"The state of our state is strong," Herbert said, "and I think most of us would say the state of our state is outstanding. That being said, I believe we can do even better."