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U.S. Sen. Jake Garn delivers farewell remarks to Utah Senate, warns on federal mandates
Summary
Sen. Jake Garn told the Utah Senate his appearance would likely be his last, praised state government and urged caution about federal mandates, arguing solutions such as health care should be found in the private sector and at state/local levels.
U.S. Sen. Jake Garn addressed the Utah State Senate on Feb. 12, telling members that this would likely be his last appearance before the chamber after 18 years in the U.S. Senate and urging lawmakers to protect state and local authority against sweeping federal mandates. "I think the founding fathers fully intended ... that broad base was state and local government," Garn said, adding that federal mandates increasingly burden states without providing adequate funding.
Garn framed his remarks around the theme of devolving decision-making closer to the people, saying that one-size-fits-all federal solutions do not fit the variety of local circumstances. He criticized proposals to nationalize health care and said he favored private-sector solutions, citing what he described as cost and rationing problems in other countries. "We do have the best health care on earth," Garn said, but added that rising costs and litigation drive up prices and blunt effective reform.
He fielded senators' questions about healthcare reform, school trust lands and the Americans with Disabilities Act. On school trust lands, Garn said federal ownership and access problems have limited states' ability to use the lands to raise education revenue and urged continued efforts to negotiate exchanges, while noting environmental opposition has been an obstacle. On the ADA, he said he reluctantly voted against the measure, noting the law's intent but voicing concern about costs to small business and potential litigation.
The senator emphasized a practical approach to national problems: he suggested lawmakers may need to combine aspects of multiple proposals rather than embrace a single plan. He closed by thanking the Senate for the opportunity to serve and urging members to continue their work in the face of political criticism.
The Committee of the Whole convened to hear Garn’s remarks; he spoke informally and took several questions from senators before the Senate dissolved the committee and returned to regular business.
