Herbert calls for special session to pass anti-monument resolution, fund education
Salt Lake City — Gov. Gary Herbert is calling on for a special legislative session to address two separate issues for Utah.
Herbert is concerned the President Obama may declare a national monument in Utah. He also wants to restore funds from a senate bill that didn't cross his desk intact with $4.8 million marked for education initiatives.
"It is absolutely irresponsible for the Obama Administration to consider a new national monument that is over two and a half times the size of Rhode Island without input from Utahns from across the state who will be significantly impacted by this decision," Gov. Herbert said. "As governor of the State of Utah, I have stated repeatedly that I oppose such a declaration. Today, I am asking every member of the Utah State Legislature to go on record and join me in expressing our opposition to another unilateral national monument within the state."
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell plans to visit to Utah over summer to hear about proposals for conserving public lands. The Obama administration has told Herbert no national monument will be designated in Utah without an open, public process occurring first.
Herbert governor issued a statement Wednesday calling lawmakers into a special session for the resolution. There has also been conversation about restoring money cut from education programs in the state's budget. Herbert and lawmakers have previously discussed the session to negotiate the funding.
Declaring opposition to a new monument grew urgent this week when Jewell announced plans to visit Utah.
A meeting was held Wednesday been groups that oppose and favor creating the monument.
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