On the heels of a year where hope has been scarce, Gov.-elect Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov.-elect Deidre Henderson will take their respective oaths of office on Jan. 4. Taking action before that date, they demonstrated their commitment to inclusion, collaboration and thoughtful analysis. Within days of the general election, they enlisted more than 100 volunteers to review state government’s services and propose policy objectives.
In contacting our fellow Utahns to join the transition team, we were pleased to hear enthusiastic responses. Their professional backgrounds were varied, their addresses were across the state and their demographic attributes were diverse. They were not necessarily knowledgeable about the assigned area. Some were former political rivals. Yet, they had a common desire to serve.
It is not common to review 25 state departments and analyze policy ideas in four weeks surrounded by Thanksgiving and overlaid by a pandemic. The small teams adapted by using virtual meetings which limited physical interaction and accommodated the physical miles between themselves and the agencies.
They searched for balanced viewpoints. They collectively conducted hundreds of interviews with department leadership, employees, legislators and business and community partners. One team interviewed former prisoners, now parolees. The teams read surveys, reports and other informational materials. One team toured the DABC warehouse.
The goal of the effort was the observations and recommendations in the written reports conveyed to the incoming administration. The reports’ recommendations will be analyzed, vetted and prioritized where needed. Some ideas can be quickly implemented, others will require further study. Some may be substituted for another idea, but will serve as an important discussion point.
An unplanned by-product was the teams’ acquired knowledge about Utah state government as a large enterprise with many significant responsibilities. Most people are aware of drivers’ license renewal, tax collection, snow removal and housing inmates. The assigned teams learned about state programs that are not as well-known, such as regulating state-chartered banks, administering water loan programs and overseeing insurance companies. Every team learned about the status of the state’s workforce. Moreover, they learned about the programs’ significance to the Utah economy and its citizens’ well-being.
Acknowledging both this by-product and the leadership skills of the incoming administration, team member Dr. Steve Call said it best in a text to Henderson: “You both (Cox and Henderson) made me a believer where I was a cynic, mobilized me where I was immobile, inspired me to sacrifice where I was selfish. I’m now a believer that politicians can be leaders, compassionate, self-sacrificing people whose desires are for the good of all, not just the few. There are others who feel and act that way as I have learned. You and Spencer embody the principle of ‘public servant’ as well as anyone I have ever met. You are lifters and ennoblers. Thank you for helping me see that and help in some very small way. Truly this has been a privilege. Awesome stuff, gives me hope.”
As the co-chairs of the transition effort, we would like to thank these dedicated citizens for their time and commitment to helping the incoming administration with a jump start. And to the thousands of state employees, we express our thanks and admiration for your service to our great state.
Steve Starks
Lynne Ward