Huntsman budget calls for hefty pay hikes

The tourism promotion budget represents "a sizable change" in what is now actually spent, Huntsman said, as less than $900,000 of the $3 million currently allocated toward developing the travel industry is spent on advertising. His proposal would help Utah compete more effectively for visitors in comparison with surrounding states, especially Colorado, Huntsman said.

The announcement that the governor is seeking a nearly $17 million increase in spending for economic development comes after the controversy caused by his decision last week to fire 33 political appointees in the Department of Community and Economic Development. It also reflects the new governor's plan to dismantle the department and take over the selling of the state himself, which will result in significant growth in the size of the governor's office.

State employees, who have only seen minimal hikes in their salaries in recent years, will also receive nice increases. Following Walker's lead, Huntsman wants a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase, with the state covering insurance premium increases, which amounts to another 2 percent. He also plans to compare salaries to market averages and increase salaries between 2.5 percent and 11 percent for those employees who are 15 percent or more below the salary average.

More, better teachers

Another funding shift will ideally help recruit more "good, quality" teachers to the profession, Huntsman said, by providing $15 million for the vaguely titled "beginning teacher compensation." At the same time, Huntsman proposed a 4.5 percent increase in the state's weighted pupil unit, which apportions the bulk of basic funding for school districts. Walker proposed a 5 percent increase.

The $15 million teacher pay raise was praised by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington, who was also pleased to see $14 million for improving the math skills of fourth- through sixth-grade students. She wished, however, that the budget included money to tutor kids who struggle to pass the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test, required to receive a high school diploma, a program that would probably cost $6 million to $7 million.

Huntsman also looked to improve the "quality of life" in Utah, especially by acquiring and protecting open space by sending $5 million to the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund. Supporters of the fund, who had hoped to get at least $3 million and as much as $7 million, were pleased with the funding proposal.

"This clearly shows the governor's commitment to critical lands conservation and that he knows the wisdom of investing now to protect those natural lands," said Dave Livermore, state director for the Nature Conservancy.

Other highlights of the proposed budget, some of which were initially proposed by Walker and others new to Huntsman's budget, are: