Gov. Michael O. Leavitt Urges Schools, Housing, Highways and Child Welfare in 1998 State of the State

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 the mid‑adolescent years.

On higher education, Leavitt asked the legislature to adopt a new master plan and backed a proposal from the state's community colleges to form an "electronic community college" to deliver distance learning statewide.

Transportation and growth management were a second focus. Leavitt reported that work funded by the Centennial Highway Fund, including I‑15 improvements, was slightly ahead of schedule and emphasized safety as construction continues. He argued that a west‑side Legacy Highway must be built "mile by mile" over the next 20 years to avoid severe congestion on the Wasatch Front, and said route decisions should minimize environmental impacts.

On housing and land use, Leavitt warned against local zoning that effectively excludes moderate housing and called for building roughly 17,500 new homes to accommodate future population growth so younger families can remain in their communities.

The address also included an environmental and public‑safety pledge: Leavitt asked the legislature to make an unequivocal statement opposing proposals to accept out‑of‑state nuclear waste in the West Desert, saying plainly, "we don't want it."

Child welfare and children’s health were recurring themes. Using the example of a foster child he named Beau, Leavitt said the state still faces a shortage of foster families (the speech cited 2,442 children in protective custody and roughly 950 foster families in the state record) and proposed creating a Utah Child Welfare Foundation to recruit and train foster parents with an aspirational target of 3,000 foster families by the stated goal date. He said an ongoing children's health coverage effort has increased insured children from 88% to 93% and said legislation under consideration would extend coverage to the remaining estimated 45,000 needy children.

Leavitt also proposed a substantial increase in childcare funding and argued it was fiscally prudent: "For every dollar that we invest in childcare, the state saves $2.2 in welfare," he said. On public safety, he warned that growth can increase crime and said the state will expand the prison system "as necessary" by up to 1,200 slots if needed, hire more police and increase penalties for offenders.

Leavitt repeatedly tied policy prescriptions to long‑term economic strength and civic values, arguing that responsible behavior and strong families are vital assets for sustained prosperity. He referenced a budget proposal that included additional targeted funding (the transcript cites a figure of $71,000,000 in connection with investments discussed).

After the address, a member moved that the governor's words be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and the joint convention voted by voice to approve recording the address. Representative Christine Fox moved that the convention be dissolved and the chambers adjourn until 10 a.m. the following day; the motion passed and the convention adjourned.

The address ran through a wide set of proposals — education incentives and charter authorization, a major transportation program including a west‑side Legacy Highway, housing and parks initiatives, expanded foster‑care recruitment and child health coverage — and closed with Leavitt's call to prepare Utah for the 21st century. The speech concluded, "Good night and God bless Utah."