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Gov. Michael O. Leavitt Urges Schools, Housing, Highways and Child Welfare in 1998 State of the State
Summary
On the opening day of the 1998 General Session, Gov. Michael O. Leavitt outlined proposals to expand education programs (including 21st Century school incentives and charter schools), advance highway projects including a proposed Legacy Highway, address housing and parks, recruit thousands of foster families and maintain a no‑new‑taxes stance while proposing budget increases for priorities.
Gov. Michael O. Leavitt delivered the 1998 State of the State to a joint convention of the Utah Legislature, urging a multi‑decade push on education, transportation and child welfare while saying the state will not raise taxes this year.
Leavitt framed the address around preparing Utah for the "knowledge age," stressing investments in schools and higher education. "If knowledge is the shaping tool of the 21st century, then our schools will be the sculptor," he said, citing recent gains — smaller early‑grade class sizes, increased teacher salaries and rising test scores — and proposing two education initiatives he described as central to that effort: a program to recognize and reward high‑performing schools and the authorization of eight public charter schools.
The governor proposed what he called "20 21st Century schools," a program that would require an entire school community to set measurable three‑year goals in reading, writing and math and offer financial rewards to schools and teachers that meet those targets. He also urged reduced class sizes in seventh and eighth grades to address…
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