U.S. Senators Bennett and Hatch brief Utah House on Medicare, transportation and public-lands disputes

U.S. Senators Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch addressed the Utah House on Feb. 17, 1997, fielding questions from representatives on Medicare solvency, transportation funding and federal management of public lands.

Senator Bob Bennett told the House that Medicare reform is urgent: "If we do not do something about Medicare, leave it on its current course, it will be bankrupt in about 3 years." He described his appropriations roles — including subcommittees on legislative branch, energy and water, Interior, foreign operations and transportation — and said those assignments allow him to press for projects important to Utah. On transportation, Bennett said competition for federal funds is intense and urged that local governments demonstrate their willingness to provide the local matching share: "We have to step up and say, we're willing to make the sacrifice and the hard choices on transportation costs." He also urged getting Utah projects into the ISTEA/"Iced Tea" queue in 1997 so they can compete for funds.

On public-land issues, Bennett acknowledged mapping errors in BLM materials and said oversight hearings will explore the new BLM regulations and monument-related impacts on private and school trust lands: "Some of the maps that the BLM have issued ... show some lands ... when in fact they have been sold and are privately owned." He said Congress will hold hearings and that the BLM head to be appointed will be consequential for how the lands are managed.

Senator Orrin Hatch later praised the Legislature's record on balanced budgets and discussed the Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment and related federal issues. Hatch said bipartisan work in Congress continues and that the amendment had an unusual level of co-sponsorship in the Senate; he warned the process would require many state-level actions if it proceeds. On the line-item veto he said the statutory form is before the Supreme Court and acknowledged uncertainty about its constitutionality. On wilderness versus national monument designations, Hatch argued monuments can allow access and infrastructure that wilderness designations would not, saying monuments "allow roads in there, people can enjoy the beauties" while wilderness can severely restrict use.

Both senators took multiple questions from representatives on how federal policy and funding decisions would affect Utah projects and communities. Each emphasized both the limits of federal authority and the need for Utah to show local commitment where federal matching or prioritization is required. The sessions concluded with the House returning to its consent calendar and other business.