Utah Gov. and Chair of the National Governors Association Gary Herbert spoke about 'State of the States' address on Thursday, Jan. 7 insisting that the federal and state governments rehabilitate an equilibrium of power.
NGA Vice Chair and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe joined Herbert at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. during the address to discuss their collective priorities for 2016, mainly finding solutions to most problems at a local and state level rather than on a federal level.
National Governors Association (NGA) Chair, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert gives a 'State of the States' address, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Utah's governor explained the positive and cooperative relationship between the state and federal government but further explained that certain federal actions 'should be limited to situations that are truly national in scope,' according to Deseret News.
In his speech, Herbert cited Utah's success in providing protections to both religiously associated communities and members of the LGBT community. Utah's governor also referenced The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a model of religious tolerance, explaining that it takes a 'willingness' to compromise.
Alghough Herbert also mentioned issues like the Medicaid expansion, the main focus of his speech focused on a balance of state and federal government.
The address was followed by a moderated Q&A session with State Editor Tony Gnoffo.