Utah's economy appears to be revving, producing an unexpected windfall in state tax collections. Since the beginning of the budget year July 1, the state has scooped up $51 million more in revenue than predicted when the Legislature set the budget in March, according to a new report. Revenues were up for every major tax, with the individual income tax accounting for the single biggest piece of the surplus: $22.5 million. By constitutional mandate, that money is to be reserved for public schools and colleges. But it stays in reserve until the Legislature acts during its regular session, beginning in January. Sales tax revenues also are running well above projections, to produce $9 million in surplus in the first two months of the fiscal year. Corporate franchise revenues are $5 million above expectations and the gas tax has produced a $1.3 million surplus. While the signs all are pointing in the right direction, said Doug Macdonald, the Utah Tax Commission's chief economist, it is far too early to start spending the money. "Things will calm down a bit," Macdonald said. "It's a good start, but this kind of growth is probably not going to last." The fiscal year that ended June 30 was the first in four years to produce a surplus after three years of recession. - Dan Harrie