Neither blinked.
Huntsman took issue with House Republicans for their high-priced plan to fund new road projects, which could undermine his goals of paying for a reading and math program for public education, an open-space initiative and a salary increase for public employees.
House Republicans counter that Huntsman's scaled-down transportation plan would force them into a future tax increase, which they want to avoid.
Transportation has become the big budget issue of the 2005 legislative session and the only sticking point so far between the new governor and new House leaders. It's a $52 million argument.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody that we are apart," said House Speaker Greg Curtis.
That's because the House Republican Caucus voted in mid-December to add $85 million in annual funds to the transportation budget. It reaffirmed the proposal last week, identifying highway construction as the top priority for new spending. Huntsman's transportation spending plan calls for a one-time cash infusion of $33 million.
After his first KUED TV news conference Friday, Huntsman drew the line, saying he won't give in to the House Republicans' plan.
"That is a figure that is too high for me," he said.
The Senate has remained neutral so far, but Senate Majority Leader Peter Knudson said in an interview: "We are closer to the House [than the governor.] We are very sensitive to the transportation needs."
Huntsman has no intention of getting pushed aside by the legislative branch. He plans to "fight for the success" of his other budget priorities and calls for a more drawn out and creative method of paying for new roads.
House Majority Whip Stephen Urquhart said that only leaves three options: ignore the state's transportation needs, borrow money or raise taxes.
"The House doesn't want a tax increase. Right now the governor has a budget that pushes us into a tax increase," Urquhart said. He argues that if the state doesn't start chipping away at the necessary transportation projects now, the price tag will soon get so far out of reach that the only option will be upping taxes.
The House selected the $85 million figure because that is the amount lawmakers raided from the Centennial Highway Fund to bolster other state agencies during the past three years of deficits.
Curtis said it is time to restore that money and doing so wouldn't consume all other new money.
House leaders said with an expected increase in revenue of $324 million, they can still fund a 2.5 percent salary increase for public employees. Other proposals, such as paying for two more state judges, may need to be placed on hold to make the budget work, Curtis said.
Transportation planners are excited about the possibility of new funding, but say even the House plan is far from meeting the needs. They argue Utah must obtain $7 billion extra during the next 10 years to fund the proposed light-rail extensions and highway expansions necessary to keep the state's growing population moving smoothly.
The Wasatch Front Regional Council, which has to approve all transportation plans in Utah's largest metropolitan area, was hoping for an increase in the gasoline tax, but both the House and Senate are cold to that idea.
One House bill does increase a variety of fees associated with registering and maintaining vehicles, but it has yet to be debated.
Both the governor and House Republicans say their relationship remains cordial and they will continue to work out a compromise.
House budget chief Ron Bigelow says "no one ever gets everything they want" and that means expect more budget fights in the future. ''Will there be other disagreements with the governor's budget? And the answer will be absolutely 'yes.' ''
mcanham@sltrib.com
