Utahns in poll back Huntsman priorities

While many Utahns are driving crowded and deteriorating roads these days, most still prefer that a big share of state surpluses go to salaries for state workers, education and Human Services, a new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll shows.

Before the 2005 Legislature ends on March 2, there are some tough budget choices that must be made by the 104 part-time legislators and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. Even with record tax revenues, there won't be enough money to take care of every desire.

A point of contention between GOP leaders and Huntsman this session has been how much more to spend on roads next fiscal year. House Republicans want $85 million, but the new GOP governor budgeted just $33 million, saying the state has other, more pressing, needs.

The poll by Dan Jones & Associates tried to measure which areas of the budget Utahns feel should receive a greater emphasis in spending priorities.

The newspaper and TV station survey shows that 67 percent of Utahns favor more money going to state employee pay, education and Human Service programs.

Only 23 percent want more money used to rebuild and expand the state's highways, according to the survey conducted last week.

Nine percent said the extra money should go somewhere else, and 1 percent didn't know, the poll found.

Not surprisingly, the governor was pleased that the results show Utahns share his budget priorities.

"I'm delighted. It's reflective of the majority of the citizens desires for funding priorities," Huntsman said in a statement. "We will continue to work in collaboration with the Legislature to achieve a final outcome that satisfies all citizens."

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said it must be remembered that the current budget debate "is not all or nothing" for either side.

The state has more than $320 million in new, ongoing revenue for next year, the speaker said, and House Republicans are already recommending well over $200 million for salary increases, public education and Human Service needs — a very healthy increase.

"We're just setting some ongoing money aside for transportation," said Curtis.

In any case, there are three weeks left in the session, the speaker said, and things will be worked out.

"We in the Legislature have a long history with the executive branch of resolving" budget differences," Curtis said. "I don't see this session progressing any differently."

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said the public doesn't realize how serious the state's transportation needs are right now.