With the end of the legislative session drawing near, this is the message The Family Investment Coalition wants lawmakers to consider as they debate tax cuts and hefty investments in transportation and education, said Karen Crompton, executive director of Voices for Utah Children.

A mere 7 percent of the surplus, or about $56 million, could "improve the lives of children and families, the elderly, persons with disabilities all across the state - and just that small investment brings back so much more," Crompton said Monday at a news conference.

An additional $500,000 of ongoing funding for the Olene Walker Housing Loan fund, for example, would leverage an additional $5.5 million in public and private dollars to develop affordable housing.

In addition to more funding for public housing, The Family Investment Coalition is lobbying for:

* $4.2 million for the Children's Health Insurance Plan, which would draw an additional $17 million in federal funds and cover 12,300 children.

* $7.5 million for extended-day kindergarten for an estimated 10,000 children.

* $3 million to restore vision and dental benefits to Medicaid enrollees; the money would trigger another $9 million in federal dollars, covering 32,000 adults.

* $2 million for the state's disability waiting list, which would bring in another $6 million in federal funds and provide services to 400 waiting people.

lrosetta@sltrib.com