Despite being surrounded by voucher enthusiasts, the governor's endorsement remained lukewarm.

Huntsman emphasized he signed the law and he would vote "For" Referendum 1 on Nov. 6, he limited himself to asking voters to study the issue closely.

"Whatever you think is right, whatever you can justify, is the right answer for you," Huntsman said.

The governor said his own children would remain in public schools.

The Republicans displayed population charts showing a wave of 160,000 new students will hit the schools over the next 10 years. Without educational funding innovations, such as vouchers, lawmakers will have no choice but to hike taxes, they said.

"How do we take care of this without taxing our citizens into oblivion and out of their houses?" said Sen. Sheldon Killpack.

Minutes earlier, Democratic lawmakers wound up a press conference across the Capitol mall that blasted vouchers.

Rep. Lou Shurtliff, a retired teacher, said voucher supporters were misleading the public in claiming the program would not hurt public education because its funding would come from the general fund - not the school fund. Public education money can now be shifted to higher education needs that formerly came from the general fund.

"It's very easy to shuffle money," Shurtliff said. "It's kind of a shell game."

Republican Rep. Cheryl Allen, who has broken with Republican leadership to oppose vouchers, said the program will cost the state more than it will ever save. The Voter Information Pamphlet issued for the referendum shows the loss, she said. "Vouchers are a money-coster," Allen said.