Cooke, Gov. Herbert debate economy, education

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert sounded an optimistic note about the state's economy during the last gubernatorial debate, while Democratic challenger Peter Cooke criticized the current administration on education funding.

Herbert told reporters after the debate Thursday that "Happy Days" are not here yet, "but we're on the right road going to see Fonzie."

Cooke painted a different picture at the University of Utah and says the state economy can't move forward completely until the national economy recovers.

Cooke also says investing in education is crucial to the state economy.

Herbert says education makes up nearly half of the state budget and questioned at one point whether Cooke wanted to raise taxes to pay for more funding.

Cooke said no.

The debate was the last of three between the candidates.

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