Getting a four-year college degree from a public school, however, "is heavily subsidized by taxpayers," even though students pay ever-growing tuition costs, he said.

"There's a subsidy in place," Kendell said, "because we feel there is a public good and that the public generally benefits from having highly educated people."

Kendell put the matter back on lawmakers, saying the state needs to invest in a highly trained workforce in order to draw more employers to Utah who would presumably hire graduates from schools here.

"We would love it if (graduating college students) stay here," said Urquhart. "All states struggle" with some of their best and brightest leaving the state after getting a diploma. "But a great way to deal with that is having a robust, booming economy with lots of jobs."

Earlier in the meeting, Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, complained that majority Republicans on the Tax Reform Task Force were advancing ideas of tax cuts, while no one was talking about revenue increases so overall the state doesn't lose money for education or other critical needs.

Neil Ashdown, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s deputy chief of staff, told McGee that the "ankle bracelet idea" would be one way to get some new revenue back to the state.

But McGee didn't bite. "Short of bracelets," she joked in speaking against the idea, "I don't see a solution" to college students who leave Utah to get jobs or advanced degrees.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com; sspeckman@desnews.com