GARY HERBERT

Hope is the poor man's bread.

Strong families are vital to strong societies.

My message to business leaders is clear: If you are looking to expand your business and boost the bottom line, there is no better place than Utah to do it.

Utah has benefited from setting smart tax policy. That said, public finding is dynamic enough that we cannot just set the tax policy and presume that it does not require continual review and adjustment.

As governor, I enjoy the opportunity to talk about Utah's measurable business success.

In 2014, Utah cities Salt Lake City and Provo both surpassed Silicon Valley in per-deal venture capital averages. From large, multi-campus companies to promising start-ups, Silicon Slopes offers a promising climate for businesses. The entire tech industry has its eyes on Utah.

Utah is one of the nation's leaders in rebounding from the Great Recession.

That's a large part of the job as governor: to create and maintain the optimal balance.

In Utah, one word sums up our business prowess: investment. Simply put, we know we can't have long-term economic growth and maintain Utah's enviable quality of life without making some critical investments.

Utahns deserve well thought out policy and plans.

I am confident that, as elected officials, we can work together with religious, business and civic leaders, as well as the LGBT community, to develop policies that treat all people with dignity and respect.

Making people's lives better is not a partisan issue.

In 2009, during my inaugural address, I expressed the importance of unprecedented partnerships. Since then, Utah's government, business, and education leaders in communities statewide have worked together more frequently and with better results than ever before.

Congress seems to be very good at doing nothing.

My priority will continue to be that we maintain the optimal balance to be able to invest in education and infrastructure while encouraging business growth.

Utah is America's best place for business because Utahns make it their business to succeed - and we have the track record to prove it.

Don't spend more than you take in. Control your debt. Empower the private sector. We have 50 states out there that are laboratories of democracy. Why are we not empowering the states to find solutions to our problems, particularly health care, as opposed to looking to a one-size-fits-all solution from Washington, D.C.? That puzzles even me.

Partisanship is not necessarily a bad thing. It leads to new leadership and new opportunities.

I believe in collaboration and cooperation.

From Enve Composites to Bluehouse Skis, Utah companies are making breakthrough products for biking, winter sports, water sports and more.

Sometimes, promoting economic development means accepting the Herculean task of moving and modernizing a prison.

Rob Neill has a deep appreciation for the law and the role it can play in the lives of families. Rob's sincere desire to serve and his impressive experience will make him the kind of judge who will change lives and impact families in a positive way.

The Bush tax cuts, they ought to be made permanent in my mind so there is certainty out there.

When I entered into office mid-recession, my No. 1 focus was Utah's economy. We set bold goals, and we've built one of the best-performing economies in the nation.

I wish I was a wealthy person. I wish I could self-fund.