Sens. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, and Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, waded into the fray Monday, saying the House and governor are debating amounts that are too low.

They want $95 million, or roughly half of the available projected revenue increase, to go to road projects.

That amount tops the $85 million House Republicans want to provide annually and far exceeds Gov. Jon. Huntsman Jr.'s proposal to spend $33 million in one-time money.

"This is a chess game at this point and we just made a move," Jenkins said.

Senate President John Valentine says Jenkins and Waddoups shouldn't expect to win the match easily.

He anticipates the actual level of transportation funding, which will determine the available amounts for education and health programs, will still come in somewhere between Huntsman's proposal and that of the House Republicans.

"The governor is a major player in this," Valentine, R-Orem, said.

Today's Senate Republican Caucus will be the start of the serious budget battles.

"Now," said Valentine, "the rubber meets the road."