From Deseret News archives:
Public education is atop Democrats' budget priorities
Proposal also focuses on services for the poor and disabled
Democrats announced their budget priorities Monday, only two days before Executive Appropriations Committee begins considering the final budget and on the same day that most appropriation subcommittees finalized their own priorities.
Education topped the Democrats' list with a huge 10 percent increase, or $202 million, financed by an anticipated $1 billion surplus. The money would go to local school districts rather than to specific programs, such as all-day kindergarten or a math and science initiative that were proposed by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.
"We are taking a different approach to how we fund public education," House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, said. "Local school districts are in the best position to determine how best to spend that money, so we want to give them more flexibility to best meet their needs."
Services for disabled people, covering increased Medicare costs, and fully funding dental and vision care for Medicaid recipients were also priorities for Democrats.
"We can find the money for these costs," House Minority Whip Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, said. "It is just a matter of priorities."
The ultimate fate of those proposals, as well as the priorities set by the various appropriations subcommittees, will be decided when the Executive Appropriations Committee, which is comprised of leadership, begins meeting Wednesday.
Among the final priority decisions made by the subcommittees:
Health and Human Services: Restoring funds lost through recent federal budget cuts was the No. 1 priority for committee members, with the request for $19.2 million in ongoing funds and $10.3 million to supplement losses to the current year's budget at the top of the list. But lawmakers expressed heartburn about including the amount on their priority list at all, noting that they have no choice but to replace the lost funds to programs such as Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Comments
- Davis eclipses world record in 1500m 9:12 p.m.
- Economic reports raise hopes 9:11 p.m.
- Garage for do-it-yourself repairs 9:10 p.m.
- Woman starts swimwear company 9:09 p.m.
- Care for needy is ongoing charge 9:06 p.m.
- Hotline focuses on sleep disorders 9:04 p.m.
- Pechstein allowed to compete 9:03 p.m.
- Could speed give the Utes trouble? 8:52 p.m.
- Cleveland succeeding as Fresno's fixer 8:50 p.m.
- Sentence in farm raid delayed 8:41 p.m.
- Letters: Global warming a lie
276 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
207 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
195 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
169 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
151 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
143 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
137 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
130 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
106
Can you tell I just got out of a budget meeting with Gov Gary Herbert?
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
My problem with Reid or any other politician, even Romney is that they drop...
I knew we were in trouble when we didn't leave the house in Orem until 6, but...
As mission President in England, President Derrick admonished us to live our...
UBA was never an option. It is a money machine.
not only did the BCS not do TCU a favor they didn't even do themselves a...
Go Cougs!
This looks an awful lot like the Cleveland at BYU - blaming someone else,...
Cleveland made a lot of excuses - bottom line is Rose is a better coach and...
Where can I get one for my dog?
Yeah sorry bout that to the post at 10.35am, it was a little late and i...




You can be the first to comment on this story.