It could have been worse.

That was the sentiment Utah department heads were expressing Friday, as legislators agreed on a current-year budget that slashed $190 million from state programs, but sliced about half as deep as was originally contemplated.

"In the end, it ended up being something everyone can work with," said Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. "It's not Draconian. It's not mean. It's not vindictive."

The action by the Executive Appropriations Committee still has to be ratified by the full House and Senate, but there is likely to be little resistance to the decisions approved Friday.

"I think what we've done is we've come up with the best budget possible under the circumstances," said House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara.

Before the session, there appeared to be a wide gulf between the legislative leaders and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. But they closed the gap quickly.

"The issues that were important to us were protecting public education, higher education and health and human services and we think we came up with a workable solution in those areas," said John Nixon, the governor's budget director.

It's not as bad as it could have been, but still hundreds of state and higher education employees could be facing layoffs.

At the end of the day, legislators cut $365 million from programs, but scrounged up $175 million from road bonding, a water loan program, a disaster fund and other sources to help ease the pain.

Public education received the most replaced cash; health and human services received $20 million; higher education just more than $30 million.

That $175 million will be gone when the next fiscal year starts on July 1, and won't be replaced unless lawmakers can find a new source of revenue. In addition, legislators are being told to plan on making at least $100 million in additional cuts, and possibly more if the economy continues its slide, when they start next year's budget.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake City, said there is general agreement between the parties on the budget that was adopted.

HEALTH » Health Department director David Sundwall said he was feeling better after legislators restored so much money. "We think we can continue to meet our mission in the health department," he said.

The public may notice some cuts. The Pregnancy Risk Line, which answers expectant mothers' questions about medications, chemicals or other pregnancy concerns, will likely be eliminated.

The state laboratory will not be able to test for levels of illegal substances in a sample in a criminal case or suspicious death, preventing the medical examiner from determining cause of death in about 400 overdose deaths per year.

Some cuts will be made to child-care center inspections, as well.

But tobacco cessation programs were spared, as were the birth defects and autism registries and as was funding to expand enrollment in the Children's Health Insurance Program for low-income kids.

And, despite talk of dismantling the Health Department, it survived this year's cuts.

HUMAN SERVICES » Because of the restored funds, many of the human service programs on the chopping block were spared, for now. A 15 percent cut to senior center group meals and the Meals-on-Wheels delivery program were both restored. State-funded services for 262 disabled Utahns who are not on Medicaid were also preserved.

"We definitely are going to be able to work with the budget cuts," said Elizabeth Sollis, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services.

CORRECTIONS » Department of Corrections director Tom Patterson said the department would have to find new spots for 76 employees or they would be let go within the next few months. Parole officers' caseloads would also likely increase.

Patterson said more challenging will be trying to find more cuts in next year's budget. On the current funding path, the department might be forced into the early release of inmates beginning in 2011.

"We will not jeopardize safety and we feel like the public can be assured safety will be maintained to the best of our ability," he said.

COURTS » When Chief Justice Christine Durham delivered her State of the Judiciary address last week, she warned that employees would have to be put on a five-week furlough because of deep cuts proposed.

Utah State Courts administrator Dan Becker said Friday they now expect no layoffs and a furlough of four to five days. There may not be any furlough, if legislators approve an increased court filling fee. The restored funding also spared courthouses from being closed down, Becker said.

Tribune reporters Julia Lyon and Heather May contributed to this story.