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Utah's robust economy boosted the latest state tax revenue surplus projections well past the $1 billion mark Monday.

But the $132 million in additional money is not enough to avoid an upcoming budget clash between the House, Senate and Governor's Office.

If anything, the surplus cash is only enough to harden the differences.

"The fight is essentially the same," said House budget Chairman Ron Bigelow.

With the revenue projections finally in, the two chambers today will begin negotiations with less than three weeks left in the session to find common ground.

"We essentially aren't waiting for anything else," said Bigelow, R-West Valley City. "Now, it's a balancing act."

Lawmakers have already been roughing out state spending based on a record-setting surplus. Monday's figures only confirmed Utah's economy is healthy, and projected an additional $63 million in revenues next year, bringing the surplus to $640 million.

In addition, $520 million in extra cash is already in state coffers.

Senate leaders nevertheless say the continuing growth is not enough to fund all lawmakers' budget requests, let alone eliminate the sales tax on food. The Senate is holding the line at $100 million in tax cuts to businesses and individuals, most of that in income tax.

"If we had $80 million or $90 million more, we would have taken the tax off food," said Senate President John Valentine. "This is not going to be enough to do it all."

House leaders, however, say the continuing growth in government revenues only reinforces their call for $230 million or more in tax cuts, including a complete elimination of the tax on food, which alone would account for $163 million.

Though Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. sides with the House on the removal of the grocery tax, he is calling for economic development programs that are supported by the Senate.

Huntsman spokesman Mike Mower said the new revenue numbers mean Huntsman's nearly $10 billion budget recommendation "is still in play."

"We're confident there is enough for improvements in education and transportation and for real tax relief for individual Utahns and their families."

But the money will be stretched thin. Last week, budget subcommittees turned in priority lists calling for $220 million in increases, much of it to make up for spending cuts during the recession. The Senate and House have committed to spending $200 million on roads and state employee compensation will cost another $87 million or more. Meanwhile, state health and human services has learned it will need to make up for $20 million in lost federal funding.

"There are some important things in here that have to be crunched," Senate Budget chief Lyle Hillyard said. "This week we will start getting some reality checks."

Budget bump:

Latest revenue estimates

* $68.9 million in surplus in the current fiscal year

* $63.2 million in projected growth next year

* Total: $132.1 million in newfound revenue