But engines can only maintain their driving force when they get sufficient fuel. A consistent source of that fuel for universities must be Utah taxpayers in the form of state appropriations.

Currently only about 17 percent of revenue going to the two universities comes from state coffers.

The two institutions generate more than $400 million in outside research funds annually, which create jobs, taxes and income amounting to more than $2 billion. Put another way, for every dollar in taxes the state invests in the two universities, they produce $5 for the economy. Not many investments can offer that kind of return. But the universities need a core fund of state money that they can count on for faculty compensation and physical facilities in order to continue providing that kind of economic horsepower.

Quality faculty and research staffs and laboratories are essential if USU and the U. are to continue attracting federal and private appropriations, grants and contracts. Already, average faculty salaries at USU are 17 percent below peer institutions and 29 percent below other top-level research universities. The U. also lags behind public universities with similar missions.

When some of the state's underpaid faculty leave, they take research dollars with them.

The Board of Regents will ask lawmakers next year for $53 million in addition to its $579.9 million state-supported operating budget. The 2005-2006 request represents a 6.1 percent increase over 2004-2005 appropriations. And it also is $36 million less than last year's higher-education request.

Regents Chairman Nolan Karras said the proposed budget zeroes in on needs, not pet projects. Gov. Walker's proposed higher education budget is similarly conservative. It specifies $24 million for "critical" higher education compensation from state revenues that are expected to increase 10 percent over last year.

Utah voters rightly approved an amendment to the Utah Constitution that will let universities hold equity in companies that spin off from their research projects. These companies create jobs for Utahns and can now return more funds to the universities where they were created.

The Legislature should continue that show of confidence in Utah's universities by investing the additional money recommended by Karras and Walker to help keep those engines running smoothly.