Four Four-Day Work Week Pays in Energy SavingsPosted by johnsoncontrols on July 21, 2008 08:16 PM Steve Truebner, State Government Solutions, Johnson Controls  In 1932 Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis branded state governments the "laboratories of democracy" in their ability to employ innovative solutions to menacing state challenges. Justice Brandeis would have commended the State of Utah's courageous experiment in mandating the four-day work week in an effort to reduce energy consumption.  States across the country face daunting challenges in delivering suitable services for growing entitlement programs, with dwindling state revenue with which to do so. Addition ...
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 Transforming education — Initiative aims to make Utah viable producer of competent workers  Representatives appointed by the governor and others are halfway through a process they hope will create a map to develop a more competitive work force for the 21st century.   The 21st Century Workforce Initiative is in full swing, collaboratively trying to "identify the pain points" of Utah's educational systems, said Gayle McKeachnie, steering committee representative. He said the group is making progress in that they are finding out what's holding up the learning process and talent turnout in Utah.   "We're on a mission of discovery," he sa ...
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http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700242955,00.htmlIn hindsight, Herbert just did his job   After already spending nearly two decades in various forms of political office, when he became lieutenant governor of the state of Utah four years ago, Gary Herbert knew that some days at the office would be more trying than others. But no way could he have imagined the trials and tribulations he would inherit when an election dispute arose in the race for, of all offices, state treasurer.  By now the facts are widely known. Two Republicans vying in last month's primary election for the party's nomination for treasurer, Richard Ellis and Mark Walker, managed to become househ ...
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Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on Tuesday received the Charles Dick Medal of Merit for his support of the Utah National Guard and military. The award was founded in 1988 and recognizes elected officials who make "significant" contributions to the Guard. Spokesman Maj. Hank McIntire called Huntsman a "champion" of soldiers and airmen in the Utah Guard and praised the governor for his multiple trips to visit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The late Charles Dick, a general in the Ohio National Guard, was a congressman credited with getting legislation passed that established the modern National Guard http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700242027,00.html ...
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 Click here to watch the interview:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,375881,00.html This is a rush transcript from "Your World with Neil Cavuto," July 2, 2008. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.ALEXIS GLICK, GUEST HOST: Well, record gas prices forcing that state to put its employees — that state being Utah — on a mandatory four-day workweek. Workers will save a bundle on gas. The state will save on electricity. Utah is the first state to try it. My next guest is the guy who is making it happen. Joining us now is the governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman.Good morning, Governor — or good afternoon. GOV. JON HUNTSMAN JR. (R), ...
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Jul 01, 2008 Salt Lake City - Utah Governor Jon Huntsman officially began as Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) today at the conclusion of the annual convention in Jackson, Wyoming. The Governor has been serving as Vice Chair for the past year and was elected to the position Sunday by his peers."We must continue to focus on the issues that not only impact our region, but the globe. As we consider the issues of the environment and energy that are so critical, we must do so with three main concerns at the forefront: affordability, energy security and emissions," Governor Huntsman said. "However, there is only so much we can do as a region, we must engage ...
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(Salt Lake Tribune - Editorial) The Huntsman plan to put many state workers on a four-day, 40-hour workweek has a lot going for it. In fact, going - to and from work - is a big part of why it makes sense.If many workers can reduce their round-trip weekly commutes from five to four, that should save a lot of gasoline.     What's more, state government should be able to reduce lighting and temperature-control costs if it cuts a day off the full-on operation of the buildings it occupies.So we applaud Gov. Jon Huntsman's thinking. The new schedule should save energy, resources and taxpayer dollars while it reduces automobile emissions by a day's worth of commutes. &nbs ...
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(Deseret News - Bob Bernick Jr.) Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff have no political worries — at least not now — a new poll shows. Huntsman, who has proven a popular governor, has a commanding lead over his Democratic opponent, Bob Springmeyer.  Likewise, Shurtleff is way ahead of his Democratic challenger, Jean Welch Hill, pollster Dan Jones & Associates found in a survey of registered voters conducted for the Deseret News and KSL-TV.  Huntsman, who seeks a second four-year term, is ahead of Springmeyer, 78-11 percent; with 2 percent mentioning some other candidate, 8 percent not knowing who they'd vote for and 1 percent ...
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Posted by Jeffrey Ball The Journal’s Shelly Banjo reports:So maybe there’s a silver lining to skyrocketing gas prices after all. Seeking to reduce state energy costs, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman announced Thursday that the state would close administrative offices on Fridays, while extending hours on Monday through Thursday. The idea is to work longer during the week and reduce the amount of trips to and from work. Following suit just in time for soaring summer gas prices is New York’s Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley. His plan: Let employees work four 10-hour days from July 1 through Sept. 30. And with no gas respite in sight, the concept is spreading to states such a ...
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(PR or Business News Wire) Utah has received three top recognitions to add to its list of economic accolades.  In its July issue 2008, Business Facilities ranked Utah as a Top Ten State for Business Climate, Manufacturing Momentum and Most Educated Workforce.  “These impressive rankings are a reflection of Utah’s premier economy and the focus our state places on quality jobs and education,” said Governor Jon Huntsman.   The business climate ranking took into account Utah’s low unemployment rates, high job growth rates, economic policies and overall potential to do business.  Hershey’s, Procter & Gamble, Disney Interactive Studios, Al ...
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