Utah has entered "a major economic expansion" fueled by job growth, new construction and a growing surplus, according to Utah Tax Commission chief economist Doug Macdonald. Tax collections exceeded expectations by $91.1 million in the first four months of the fiscal year that began July 1. The surplus has increased by more than $27 million in the past month alone. This increase is due mostly to an 18 percent rise in payroll tax collections, a strong indication of job growth. Sales tax collections also were up by 14 percent. And volatile corporate income tax collections are 72 percent higher than projected. - Matt Canham