Forbes has recognized utah as the best place of business. Art laferty just named us for the eighth year in the row as having the best Economic Outlook going forward. So all of our sectors are growing. Its really all of them growing together. In fact, utah is now the fourth most diversified economy in america. Is there an event or era in utahs history that has personally impacted you . Well, im a sixth generation utahen. My ancestors came across the plains with Brigham Young. Thats my roots come from that event when they came to what was then a very arid desert climate. Someone said godforesaken. Not many people here. A few native americans. Mostly rabbits and lids rds and crick etsd. And nobody wanted to be here. In fact, a front tiers man at the time told Brigham Young ill give you a thousand dollars if you can grow a bushel of corn in utah. As utah territory then. And but they came here and they said in spite of that, people were passing it by and saying not in utah do we want to settle but Brigham Young said this is the right place and they said were going to roll up our sleeves and use the bible passage in the Old Testament that said we will make the desert blossom as a rose. And theyve done that. They did it. You can see the results of the efforts of many generations working here. And that cando spirit which is really the spirit of utah, is what i draw strength from. That event of my ancestors who sacrificed a lot to provide a better life for their children, grandchildren and eventually me is what i want to pass on to my children and grandchildren. So utah continues to be the right place for families, for individuals, for business. And frankly its working very well. You mentioned Brigham Young and many associate utah with the lds community and you yourself are of mormon faith. Does that population come to play in utah politics and in your own personal politics . I think principles and values that are commonplace in utah are shared by many faiths. Its not just is the lds mormon faithful but the catholics, protestants, even nonkristian which is find the values are that are embodied here in utah a welcoming atmosphere. They like it. It feels good. And people gravitate here because of those principles and values. So its certainly the core has been historically the mormon faith but the population as it grows now were the second Fastest Growing population in america, is becoming more diverse. But those principles and those values are kind of the Common Thread that runs through our communities here in the state of utah. What are some of the problems facing the state of utah . Well, we have the same challenges virtuely any other state has. E have the challenge of growth which is unique i think to some states because people are moving here. They move here because they have Economic Opportunity. Everybody wants to have a job. And if you dont have one in your community, then look at utah because we have some and were growing. So people are coming here for Economic Opportunity. But they also come here for the quality of life. They like the outdoor opportunities, Outdoor Recreation here. They like the neighborlyness of the people. Were very friendly, were very outgoing people here. And so the quality of life and the Economic Opportunity go hand in hand which creates migration. And that growth pressure coupled with we have a higher birth rate here in utah is probably my biggest challenge. Its a good challenge to have because Everything Else is going very well in a very positive way. But how do we accommodate the growth that is coming and surely is going to continue to come to utah is my biggest challenge. Youve recently your healthy utah plan. What is that and how does it work . Well, were looking for an alternative to just the same oldsame old of Medicaid Expansion. The Medicaid Programs of the states have been a challenge for their budgets since its inception and we joined about 1969 to the medicaid program. Theres a lot of resistance to the Affordable Care act in utah, very conservative state, a lot of republicans and so the Affordable Care act although its the law of the land is an issue for people here. So we try to find an alternative that gives a better outcome to tax payers dollars are being paid in as per the law. We think theres a better way to redirect that rather than into medicaid one size fits all program into what we call the healthy Utah Initiative which allows us to have other different criteria, more flexibility to deal with our own unique demographics, politics, culture. And i would suggest that all states ought to be doing the same kind of thing. And other states are finding different ways to address this issue. So with healthy utah, well have some work requirements that will be a part of that effort similar to our tanive program, temporary aid for needy families. Copays will be changed. A portion of the premiums those who are able to pay will pay at least a small portion of the premium. And in exchange for that theyre going to get better Quality Health care, more choices, more flexibility for them for their own unique family situations. And have a Better Health care outcome. So respecting taxpayers dollars give more choices and Better Outcomes really the initiative behind what we call healthy utah. Can you explain how it differs from a traditional Medicaid Expansion . Medicaid expansions just a Government Program thats a one size fits all. I have a sister who has a special needs child who is now 30 years old, has been on medicaid since about age 2. And she told me her husband just passed away suddenly here at age 55 and so shes left a widow with a number of kids. Surprisingly to me she said gary im going to do everything i can to stay off medicaid. I said why is the . The program is designed to help people in your situation. She said i dont like the health care. I dont like the quality, i dont like the service that ive seen my daughter have. And so i would like to unite my family under one Health Care Program under some kind of private insurance. And so this Healthy Utah Program will allow that to happen. So it helps make people more responsible. Its a transitional kind of approach as opposed to people camping out with medicaid. We have too much of that. And with a work requirement those who cant work will be required to work. Well find them a job. The copays having skin in the game. And having more choices is what we get with a Healthy Utah Program which you dont get with medicaid. The issue of same sex marriage continues to come to the forefront in the state of utah what are your views on the issue . Well, it reantly doesnt matter what my views are. The people of utah have spoken. Ck in 2004 amongst amidst a lot of discussion and debate the people of utah by an overwhelming majority, over two thirds, voted to change our constitution to amend it and say you define marriage as one man and one woman. Now, utah has a history with that because we were not allowed to become a state and join the union because of poll ig my, plural marriage, unless we define marriage as one man and one woman. So we have historical precedence for that. And this was modified again and improved in 2004. So its the law. Its the law of our constitution, its the law of our statutes on the books. And when i was sworn in as governor, i was sworn to uphold the constitution of the state of utah and the laws of the land. So we are in fact going to do that. And we have people in the Attorney Generals Office that are on different sides of the issue but they know that their obligation is to in fact uphold the law of the land. And that means well challenge any difference of that all the way to the Supreme Court until its settled. Thats what people would want to have. If theres confusion, difference of opinion, its an emotional issue but we need to finally have it settled, and thats through the court of law. I think its very much a betrayal of the people to have any attorney general or any governor to say ive chosen not to enforce the law because i have a different opinion. Thats a slippery slope to anarchy. Were a rule of law state, a rule of law country. And when the people speak, we that are designed to uphold the law should administer administer the law to the full extent until the courts tell us different or the people change the law through the legislative process which they are allowed to do and in some instances that may could happen. I would much prefer it to happen that way than have some independent judge just decide in his own mind against the will of the people. Theres been a lot of debate recently over the management of the states wild horse population. Can you describe that issue and explain your position on that as well . Well, it is interesting that the only animal thats not on the endangered species list thats managed by the federal government is wild horses and burrows. Thats a special law that was enacted in washington, d. C. For im sure good and noble purposes. The unfortunate of that is that the federal government has not managed the wild horse and burrow population and they double in population every three to four years. And really theyre overgrazing the public lands. We have farmers and ranchers that have part of the multiple use of the blm part of the statutes requiring multiple use is for them to be able to graze their cattle out there. And as you have more and more horses and burrows it takes away from the grazing capabilities of our cattle. And so for the farmers and ranchers thats really a big issue. So all were suggesting to the federal government is you under the law are required to manage it, manages the horses and burrows. Do so. When you have areas that are only allowed designed to have 300 to 500 and you have now 2,000, thats not management. So were just calling upon the federal government to manage correctly. And were happy to help them in that effort if needs be. Well, youve spoken about state sovereignty on these issues. Why . Well, part of our constitution was the concept of federalism. Which is really a centralized government, the federal government government in washington, d. C. And the states as sovereign states and independent laboratories of democracy theyre referred to laboratories of innovation and creativity. And unfortunately, because of the federal overreach into the doe mains of the state, you know, its encroaching upon the ability toft states to be innovators and create new ways of solving issues and problems. And i think most governors, republican and democratic alike would say the federal government is getting into the states business too much. You know, James Madison when he talked about the constitution, he defined it in one of the federalist papers and said that the federal government under this constitution has powers that are defined and few. Defined and few. He said about the states though theyre indefinite and many. And yet we seem to have this thing backwards. Were relying more and more and more on the federal government to provide services when it should be the states and our local communities, our cities and county that is provide these services. For one thing were much more efficient in doing it. We find innovative ways to do things. We learn from different states like they do in iowa. I see what theyve done in massachusetts and say well i wont work in utah. We learn from these experimentations, these pilot programs that are going on and come up with better ways to do things. Washington, d. C. Doesnt have that. Theirs is one size fits all. And it doesnt work. So hey state sovereignty the states should be leading out. And there should be at least a partnership and states should not be subserve ynt to the washington, d. C. Establishment. We should be on a par as equal partners. Whats next for the state of utah . What would you like to accomplish during the rest of your term as governor . Well, the goal we have is still to be the number one economy in america and a premier Global Business destination. That was my first inaugural address. Its my goal. I think every politician should have the goal of a healthy economy. If you get the economy right, Everything Else kind of falls into place. It doesnt matter what your issue is. It can be Education Funding it can be transportation, infrastructure needs. Health and Human Services needs. It all becomes a lot easier if you have a healthy growing economy. It becomes very difficult for those issues if you you have a stagnant economy which we have seen so much across the country for so many years now. Again mirks focus will continue to be always number one have the most healthy economy we can in america and be a premier Global Business destination. Because the marketplace is now global. Its not just here in the Intermountain West or america. Its now global in nature. So well continue to stay the course on focusing on growing the economy. We want a building that was very accessible to the community. Needed to be able to incorporate a future that we didnt you cant predict a future. Part of the problem with the old library is that we were tampled out on as many computers and wiring as we could fit into that structure. So our new building needed to have a lot of flexibility and movement into the future. One thing we liked about the design is he combined different geometric features. We have the triangular main part of the building, we have a round auditorium thats upon the side of the building, a rectangular structure on the west side that we call the bar and then the crescent wall that hugs the library on the north and east side, and all of these different geometric features are bridged together with skylights. So just light flows through the building at all levels and we have a total 360 degree view of ur surroundings. I think it is vital for a community to have a library that brings people together. And this particular space was geared in bringing the community together. Its an opportunity for people to remember that the thing that is hold a city together, the Public Safety officers, the mayor and his various departments in the library all really Work Together to build a city. And i like that we have physically done that with our architecture. This weekend learn about the rich history and literary life of salt lake city, utah throughout the weekend on cspan 2s book tv and today at 2 00 p. M. On cspan 3s American History tv. With live coverage of the u. S. House and the senate on cspan 2, we complement that coverage by showing you the most recent hearings. And then on weekend cspan3 is the home to American History tv including six unique series, the civil wars anniversary. American artifacts touring museums and Historic Sites to discover what artifacts reveal about americas past. The best known American History