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February 15, 2005
Behind the Headlines: A Healthy Relationship with the Governor
“Huntsman Challenged.” “Huntsman, lawmakers rocking boat.” After reading headlines like that in the newspapers, you might be thinking...
Behind the Headlines: A Healthy Relationship with the Governor
“Huntsman Challenged.” “Huntsman, lawmakers rocking boat.” After reading headlines like that in the newspapers, you might be thinking the Legislature has a dysfunctional relationship with the Governor. And you might even be feeling frustrated with us because of it. Well let me reassure you - this is simply not true. The Legislature and the Governor have a very healthy and very open working relationship.
Since the first week of the session both Senate and House leadership have met with the Governor. The Speaker and the President also frequently meet privately with the Governor. Even though we don’t agree on every issue that doesn’t mean we aren’t working together. Just last week I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Huntsman to discuss some of his priorities and to help him understand issues that are important to me. I feel fortunate to be able to call the Governor and have the type of relationship that will allow us to discuss issues.
Maybe it is because it has been so long since we had a new Governor elected that so many are worried about the way the Governor is being treated. I can think of dozens of times when we didn’t agree with Governor Leavitt but we still worked through the issues and finished with balanced budgets. There is supposed to be some difference between the executive branch and the legislative branch. For some reason, this year the perception is that if we don’t agree on one issue, then nobody is getting along on any issues.
I for one am grateful for the openness of Governor Huntsman. He has priorities but he is willing to take suggestions from the legislature in an effort to make his priorities better. We understand that as the legislative branch we can’t be successful without him. At the same time, he can’t be successful without us.
Posted by Jeff at February 15, 2005 04:38 PM
Comments
Jeff, We just received your postcard introducing the website. I've enjoyed reading the articles you've posted here, and will stop back from time to time to read what you have to say.
Because those in opposition to HJR1 have been vocal in the media, I was interested to get a more accurate picture of what the Resolution is really about. Before reading your article, I had called Curt Bramble last week and he was very helpful.
I didn't notice an option to contact you privately by email. Is there one?
Thank you for this informative website.
Pam Warren
Provo, UT
Posted by: Pam Warren at February 20, 2005 10:58 AM
Dear Mr. Alexander,
Please vote against HS 61. In my research I have found it to be a bill that if made law would ultimately do great harm to health care recipients in Utah. IHC has been voted the best health care plan in the United States for two years in a row and yet our lawmakers are trying to change it. Why??? I don't understand. If it's not broken don't fix it! I have also heard that it may benefit a physicians group, and that the bills sponsor would also benefit. That is a clear conflict of interst. Please vote against it.
Thank you, Barb Smith
Posted by: Barbara Smith at February 20, 2005 08:14 PM
We would like you to know that we are against the Jones/Mascaro bill. It is anti-family. We would hope that you would support or craft bills that would promote birth rates.
We are in favor of tuition tax credits and cannot understand Utahns devotion to government run schools.
we are in favor of full disclosure of all gifts to legislators.
Thank you for your work in behalf of Utah.
Posted by: Marcia Ogden at February 21, 2005 08:31 AM