Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert Discusses State-Based Solutions to National Challenges

“Let’s get states back in the driver’s seat,” said Governor Gary R. Herbert of Utah. “States are the laboratories of democracy, and they offer opportunities to experiment with policies.”

Herbert, who in July 2015 was elected chair of the bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA), visited SIPA on September 29 to discuss the importance of promoting state-based solutions to national challenges while enhancing federal-state collaboration.

He argued for a reduced federal role in state policy because, he said, “the one-size-fits-all federal policies are inefficient at solving state-specific problems.”

Dean Merit E. Janow introduced the governor to an audience that included a number of students from the Urban and Social Policy concentration.

“How do you get 50 states to vote for you to be the chairman of the National Governors Association?,” she asked.

Herbert responded with a brief show of humor: “I’m the only governor who is not running for president!”

Characterizing himself before an unfamiliar audience, Herbert said, “I’m a Republican from a red state. I am conservative in principles, and I tend to be moderate in tone, and inclusive in process.”

He highlighted the role of states in developing innovative policies. The governor of Utah since 2009, Herbert said he has focused on economic development within his state, nationally, and internationally.

“I want Utah to be a premier global state to do international business,” he said.

Named the most business-friendly state by Forbes in 2014, Utah had an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in April 2015 against a national rate of 5.1 percent in August 2015. Utah’s economy has also expanded 2.4 percent per a year over the past five years—fifth best in the U.S.

The governor also talked about Utah’s passage last spring of a law that bars discrimination in employment and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

He described a successful legislative process that in which he was able to bring leaders from the LGBT community and religious community leaders together to support a joint bill founded upon comprise between disparate interest groups. 

“I told them I would not sign anything into law if it was going to be on separate and competing bills,” said Herbert.

Responding to a student’s question about the challenges that arose along the way to finding a compromise between these groups and what lessons can be drawn from the process for the rest of the country, the governor said: “inclusiveness allowed for Utah to figure out an emotional issue for religious freedoms and gay rights.”

The bill sent a message to a politically riven nation that compromise was possible, even on one of the most divisive social issues, even in one of its most conservative states. It remains to be seen whether the compromise in Utah will serve as a model for other states.

Overall, Herbert made a case for stronger state autonomy. “States are in a more nimble position to offer solutions,” he argued. “In the history of the United States, the states came first. Federalism is a product of the states and we are a democratic republic.”

—  Rebecca Krisel ’16

Pictured: Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Governor Gary R. Herbert of Utah discusses State-Based Solutions to National Challenges