Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) surprised members of the Republican-dominated Legislature when he announced in his state of the state speech Jan. 27 that he would reinstate up to $3.9 billion in road projects that were put on hold over budget concerns in November.
Despite ongoing budget problems, Huntsman made the decision after legislative leaders voiced support for the idea as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
The governor announced his intention to make 2009 the “Year of Math” by asking secondary and higher education to focus more intensely on helping students develop quantitative skills, which he said have lagged and are prized among employers.
Huntsman, who is entering his second and final term, also spoke of much more ambitious goals, such as dramatically cutting the number of uninsured Utahns by 2012 and turning the state into “the premier destination in America for renewable energy.” But he offered few specific policy details on those proposals.
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