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Show Gov. Rampton pledges continued effort to build states economy - . . f . . ... g"'-j---r:i-:-.'"'-"vi'MiuMuiajaiiii hh.uuij, , .'-If I ; r 1 --"57 S"-tV. J 4 1 i :!: , " " il ' r -v f '. - . I . fL J, - t . - - ' i 1 n . r in -if- i- Gov. Calvin L. Rampton delivers his second inaugural address Monday before a capacity crowd at the I state Capitol rotunda. He discussed the increased demands of Utahns and government. By Suzanne Dean Staff Writer Utah Gov. Calvin L. Rampton Monday pledged to expand a commitment "to bring this state into the mainstream of commerce" but warned that citizens may be forced to assume increased financial burdens. Gov. Rampton delivered his second inaugural address after taking the oath of office in ceremonies in the State Capitol Rotunda. Better schools are one of the prime public concerns, Gov. Rampton said. "As the sum total of knowledge which we must impart to each student expands, the number of years required for adequate schooling multiplies, and the complexity of the educational process increases," Rampton said. "As our population grows, the number of students requiring this extended and expanded education also increases." Rise In Cost These factors, he said, are raising the costs of the educational system, "in terms of total dollars, and in the percentage of total income that each taxpayer must contribute to education." Gov. Rampton said advancing technology and exploding population have produced public pressure for more and better government services. Technology resulting in increased leisure time has created economic and social pressures, said Gov. Rampton, "becuase all groups of people are demanding a share in this better way of life." "No longer is any economic or ethnic group willing to content itself with inferior educational opportunities, inferior jobs, inferior housing, inferior recreational advantage or inferior esteem from the people as a whole," he said. Still Backwards "We in Utah have been spared violence . . . but not because we have succeeded in guaranteeing social and economic equality to our people. The fact is that despite the progress we have made over the last four years, we are still among the backward regions of the country." Rampton said public demands for law protection, better roads, care for the "unemployable" and recreational facilities may mean that even more efficient government will cost more. "There can never be any excuse for any level of government failing to achieve the most for the tax dollar spent. Recognizing this, we have moved to modernize and streamline state government . . . ", the governor said. "But regardless of the increases made in efficiency of the governmental structure, the costs of government are not going to be reduced unless the services rendered are cut." Rampton said the state could partially meet its financial challenges if "we aggressively seek to build our economic base," but hinted that a tax increase may alsc be needed. More tax revenues would come from braodly based income, sales, and property taxes. Rampton said. |