"If we do not act, experts predict a tripling of congestion," the chamber said.

Human services: Even though lawmakers rejected a proposal from the governor to fund dental care for the poor, Huntsman is trying again.

He's proposed $2.5 million, enough to meet all of the Medicaid dental needs, said Bill Tibbitts, director of the Anti-Hunger Action Committee. More importantly, he said, the ongoing funds would mean lawmakers would stop looking at the program as new during their annual budget discussions and so would be more likely to fund it.

Huntsman "has been supportive of this since his inauguration," Tibbitts said. "He understands how important it is to get infected teeth treated."

The governor also wants to restore Medicaid vision benefits with a $250,000 appropriation, increase the Children's Health Insurance Program funding by $4.7 million, and provide $5.1 million for improved access for the uninsured to Medicaid programs.

People on the disabled waiting list would be helped by a $2 million boost to that program, while the Medicaid home and community based waiver program would receive $1.2 million. Huntsman also wants to launch an anti-methamphetamine initiative with $5.1 million.

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By Josh Loftin, Tiffany Erickson, Erin Stewart and Nicole Warburton