2 again to target child tax deduction

"Does it make sense to go in and raise more revenue when you have more revenues coming in? That, I don't really have an answer for," Mascaro said. "Is it enough to satisfy this 160,000 new children coming down the pike in the next 10 years? That's a question that remains to be answered. While we do have a revenue bump . . . it doesn't take away the long-term need (for education) financing."

But it's questionable whether his colleagues will see things the same way.

"What has changed? Certainly, the Legislature has not changed much at all," said State Board of Education chairman Kim Burningham, who supports the bill. "I don't think at this point I see evidences (lawmakers) are prepared to make a change."

Mike Jerman, vice president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, agrees the political will probably isn't there. But he says other factors are at play.

"Everyone wants a better education for the children of the state of Utah," Jerman said. "The question is, is it simply an issue of more money, or is it an issue of additional reform."

But Utah Education Association President Pat Rusksays more money is needed, and now's the perfect time to go after it.

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com