If rank-and-file Republican legislators approve the draft, the $70 million in additional funding already earmarked for road projects will be raised another $50 million. That would include $30 million in cash from surplus and $20 million in annual spending from projected revenue increases.
But lawmakers so far have been unable to agree to restore vision and dental benefits for thousands of Medicaid patients.
West Jordan Rep. Steve Mascaro stalked out of a GOP caucus meeting on the budget, saying Republican leaders are using taxpayer-subsidized health benefits for low-income Utahns as a "negotiating tool" with the governor.
Education officials are equally frustrated. Public schools under the draft would receive $10.6 million on top of the $59 million already carved out to increase the per-pupil funding formula. But Utah Education Association President Pat Rusk felt stung that education's portion of new money did not match that given highways.
"What about the kids who are still in overcrowded classrooms?" she asks. "It is pretty disheartening to see all of that money going into road construction."
Despite that disgruntlement, legislative leaders and the governor's staff are inching closer to a compromise, one that could see more money for Medicaid but probably not for education.
"This is not the final list," said House budget Chairman Ron Bigelow. "There are a number of issues the governor may push back on. There are a number of issues the House and Senate may not be in agreement on. There are no guarantees on any item on this list."
Although the draft budget sets aside $2.5 million for math and science teacher incentives, another $10.6 million to boost the Weighted Pupil Unit and $10.1 million to boost the salaries of the lowest paid state employees, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is insisting lawmakers fund his original proposals.
That would mean doubling the teacher incentive program and finding another $4 million for salaries.
"We are still in there duking it out for the money to make these things happen," said Jason Chaffetz, Huntsman's chief of staff.
On their side, lawmakers are angling to get their pet projects funded. In the House, it is tuition tax credits and a motion picture incentive fund. In the Senate, it is new money for drug treatment and a military income tax exemption.
Along with his own initiatives, Huntsman continues to push for $4.9 million to restart the vision and dental benefit for needy Utahns, but legislative leaders are balking.
They say the federal government has indicated it would start pulling back Medicaid funding, requiring states to pick up a larger share. Some lawmakers believe the state should shore up current benefits rather than restoring vision and dental.
Senate Majority Leader Peter Knudson is confident that legislators will fund the vision and dental benefit, but with one-time funding only.
House Speaker Greg Curtis said he supports that position, but notes many of his colleagues do not.
Mascaro said only one of four Utah children and adults on Medicaid are able to get vision and dental coverage with current funding. "There is such an overwhelming, compelling need," he said. "Those people are impacting our health care costs and our economy."
Education advocates are arguing that giving more money to schools will spur the economy just as much as building roads or corporate tax cuts, since 80 percent of the funds pay for teachers and staff, who will funnel those dollars back into the economy.
Chaffetz and Curtis said educators should be pleased with a total of $71 million in new funding.
But education advocates say they won't be satisfied unless legislators match their commitment to transportation in public schools.
Lawmakers have seven more working days to make up their minds.
Republican caucuses will meet again today to debate the budget.
rwalsh@sltrib.com;
mcanham@sltrib.com
