Late Wednesday night, Gov. Olene Walker paused from her vigorous pace to reflect on and summarize the key points of the 2004 Utah legislative session, highlighting legislation of note and reiterating her administration’s top priorities.

"I am generally pleased with the outcomes of this legislative session," said Walker. "I established some critical priorities, and I give credit to the 104 individuals who strived to meet those goals in 45 days."

Walker made special note of her reading program, which, through a legislative compromise, will receive the full $30 million she proposed in her December budget recommendations. The state will match funds raised by the individual school districts up to $15 million, filling the governor’s request for the total amount.

"Reading is literally the key to educational and lifelong success," she said. "We have made a monetary commitment to our children that we want them to succeed. The money we budgeted this year for Performance Plus reading programs will yield untold dividends for generations to come."

The governor also expressed satisfaction regarding her other top budgetary priorities - structural balance in the state budget and a 2 percent salary increase for state and education employees.

"Considering the funds available, the Legislature did an adequate job with the budget," she said. "I proposed a 2 percent raise for state employees, and their compromise in light of budget numbers was a 1 percent raise with a one-time bonus. I am very pleased with the bonding package and the balance they’ve struck between one-time and ongoing money. This compromise will help keep our budget balanced structurally in future years."

The governor now has a 20-day signing period to consider all of the bills passed by the Legislature. She reaffirmed her commitment to evaluate each bill carefully before making final decisions.

"My philosophy is simple," she said. "If a bill does more good than harm for our state and its citizens, I’ll sign it. But if it does more harm than good, I won’t."

Walker said she is glad to have bills and budgets largely settled, but recognizes there is much still to do as governor and as a state.

"I’d like to think it will slow down a little now, but with so much left to do I doubt that will happen," Walker said. "Progress takes action, and we’ve only just begun. We all have so much to give, so I suggest we get started."

A summary of Gov. Walker’s legislative priorities and outcomes is attached.

1:45:36 PM