Senate GOP caucus rejects $85 million for roads

New revenue estimates for the state are expected shortly, but Hillyard said they probably won't make much of a difference. There won't be enough of a boost in tax collections, he said, to make up the difference in the transportation plans.

Hillyard said there's even a possibility the state's surprising growth may slow, so the budget should be based on the current figures being used, $237 million in one-time or surplus funds, and an additional $370 million in new, ongoing money.

The governor wants to use only surplus funds for the new transportation projects. But lawmakers prefer tapping ongoing monies to pay for projects that could include a solution to the traffic snarls along I-15 in Utah County.

"We all see a tremendous need for roads, but there's no appetite for a tax increase," Hillyard said, warning that borrowing to pay for road projects could force a tax boost.

Also Thursday, Bigelow explained to his caucus this year's new budget process, which legislative leaders hope will give more time and thought in deciding where new monies will be spent.

The more timely process will hopefully avoid a situation of two years ago, when then-GOP leaders at session's end told members they had to place the current sales tax on cable TV and satellite bills or the budget wouldn't balance.

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