House Speaker Becky Lockhart kicked off the 2014 legislative session with critical words for Governor Gary Herbert on Monday.
In her opening remarks on the floor of the House, the Prove Republican asked lawmakers to encourage Herbert “to lead and not just follow” and to “be innovative and not just reactive.”
She said Utah needs energy in the governor’s office, not “an inaction figure.”
“And every time a state surrenders, or a governor gives in, that state grows weaker and poorer and less free,” Lockhart said. “Let us encourage the Governor to lead and not just follow, be innovative and not just reactive.”
Lockhart, who says she is not running for re-election this year, declined Monday afternoon to say whether she plans to challenge Herbert, her fellow Republican, by running for governor in 2016.
She later said her remarks were meant to encourage everyone to do better this year.
Herbert said in a statement Monday that he hopes everyone can set aside politics and political ambition during the session.
