Huntsman Defends Position on Vouchers, Stadium Despite Referenda

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Two citizen referendum efforts suggest a disconnect between the desires of voters and their state officials. But Governor Jon Huntsman Junior - an ardent supporter of both the soccer stadium and school vouchers - says voters should take those issues in context:

"People who are opposed to vouchers have every right to pursue whatever means possible to make their views known, and I respect that," says Huntsman. "What's important to me is that our schools came out remarkably well this year with a 23% increase in financial support."

Huntsman harks back to public opposition for light-rail in Utah, which has today proven extremely popular. Regarding the state's commitment of public funds to support a soccer stadium development in Sandy, Huntsman says he drove the deal's passage because he believes it will benefit Utah in the long run. And he says voters should use a similar long-view in their criticism:

"When you look back at similar infrastructure developments in our state and how people felt about it then versus how they feel about it today, nobody knows what kind of impact this stadium is likely to play in our community," says Huntsman.

Huntsman suspects the stadium's economic benefit and recreation opportunities for young soccer players will prove the investment worthwhile.

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