SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Governor Gary Herbert started his first officially elected term today taking the oath of office in a crowded Capitol Building.
"I Gary Richard Herbert do solemnly swear that I will support obey and defend the Constitution of the Untied States and Constitution of the State," Herbert stated as his hand rested upon the Holy Bible in the Capitol Building.
"We've watched our nation and our nation's economy careen out of control and perch precariously on the edge of collapse," Herbert said during his inauguration speech.
The United States national debt $16.4 trillion, up $6 trillion since President Barack Obama took office in 2009.
Utah's debt is $0. Utah's budget is balanced.
ABC 4's Noah Bond asked, "Some people outside the state will say $6 trillion debt-- well we're going to excuse that. What would you say to those people?" Kherna Shipp from Orem replied, "There is no excuse!"
Herbert says he's taking on the financial problems surrounding Utah with an old fashioned solution.
"Principals are not relative," Herbert said. He told a packed audience in the Capitol Building principals don't change and he believes in the principal of individual liberty coupled with the principal of individual responsibility.
"We understand that the most powerful engine in the world for prosperity is the private sector operating in a free market system," Herbert said.
"Obama doesn't know what he's doing when it comes to the economy period, but our leadership in Utah does," Shipp said.
"From adversity comes strength and from strength comes success," Herbert said.
Governor Gary Herbert ended his inaugural address by saying Utah's economy is growing. He says he has faith things will improve.
Utah's congressional delegation and former governor and presidential candidate Jon Huntsman was there.
Herbert's inauguration ceremony cost $65,000. Half was paid for by the private sector.
Bond emailed President Barack Obama's Inauguration Committee to ask what the cost of his swearing in ceremony will be for tax payers. A spokesperson returned his call, but refused to allow ABC 4 to release a name and said the cost of Mr. Obama's inauguration is unknown at this time, but will be made available after its over.
Bond will continue contacting Mr. Obama's Inauguration Committee until solid numbers are released.
