The gas tax is not an adequate funding source, he said. In fact, it is losing value with inflation and also as motorists shift toward more eco-friendly cars that don't use gasoline.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, said Monday that education versus transportation funding may be a contentious issue this year. Over the past two years transportation has received significantly more funding than education, he said.

"Our budget is a reflection of our priorities," he said. "I certainly think that transportation is important, but the need to fund infrastructure appears at the expense of education."

This year, the governor has proposed that transportation receive an unprecedented amount of funding, with more than $449.7 million in new money. To view a copy of transportation-related bills that are being proposed this session, log on to www.le.state.ut.us and click on the tab that says "bills."

The 2007 general legislative session begins Monday.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com