He did manage to balance the budget. But he did that by raising taxes. Of course, he denies that vehemently, but "closing loopholes" entail most people paying higher taxes. He also instituted various "fees" for government services that had existed before. Instituting fees is all well and good, but if you're going to demand user fees for government services then those new fees should come with lower taxes, not HIGHER taxes.
Does not sound right at all.
Governor of Utah (2005–2009)
Huntsman maintained extremely high approval ratings as Governor of Utah hitting 90% approval at times. In 2008, he won re-election with 77.7% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party nominee Bob Springmeyer.[26] He left office with his approval ratings over 80%.[27][28][29] Utah was named the best managed state by the Pew Center on the States.[30] Following his term as governor, Utah was also named a top 3 state to do business in.[31] The 2006 Cato Institute,(libertarian think tank) evaluation gave Huntsman an overall fiscal policy grade of "B"; the institute gave him an "A" on tax policy and an "F" on spending policy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey, Utah was ranked number one in the nation in job growth during Huntsman's tenure, a rate of 5.9% between 2005 and 2009. However, according to the Bureau's Current Employment Statistics survey, Utah ranked number four in the country in job creation, with 4.8% growth. Utah trailed Texas (6.5%), North Dakota (7.5%), and Wyoming (9.5%).[32]
The Utah Taxpayers Association estimates that "tax cuts from 2005 to 2007 totaled $407 million." Huntsman proposed eliminating the corporate franchise tax for small businesses making less than $5 million. During his term as governor, he was successful in having Utah replace its progressive income tax (with a top rate of 7%) with a flat tax of 5%; cut the statewide sales tax rate from 4.75% to 4.65% and sales tax on unprepared food from 4.70% to 1.75%; and raise motor vehicle registration fees. He proposed a 400% increase in cigarette taxes, but the measure was never signed into law.
During his tenure, the state budget rose from $16.7 to $22.8 billion.[33] As a percentage of state GDP, state and local spending went from 20.22% of GDP in 2004 to 19.76% in 2008 and 21.47% in 2009. [34] Utah saw spending increases higher than inflation and in 2006 he proposed the largest state budget in the state's history.
He supported Cap and trade policies and as governor signed the Western Climate Initiative.[35] He also supported an increase in the federal minimum wage.[36] He also cut some regulations, including Utah's very strict alcohol laws.[37]
In 2007, he signed into law the Parent Choice in Education Act which he said was "the largest school-voucher bill to date in the United States. This massive school-choice program provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $3000 to help parents send their children to the private school of their choice. The program is open to all current public school children as well as some children already in private school."
Huntsman was one of John McCain's earliest supporters in the 2008 presidential campaign,[38][39] while most Utah and Mormon politicians supported Mitt Romney.[40] Huntsman helped McCain campaign in New Hampshire and went with him to Iraq over Thanksgiving 2007.[41] At the 2008 Republican National Convention, Huntsman delivered a nominating speech for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the party's nominee for Vice President.[42]
In 2008, he successively proposed tax credits for families purchasing their own health insurance, as well as income tax credits for capital gains and solar projects.[43
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman,_Jr.#Governor_of_Utah_.282005.E2.80.932009.29
