Instead of releasing a new budget proposal or setting specific amounts for spending, Chaffetz said the governor's office would work with the Legislature to get their priorities funded. While saying "transportation is a priority for us," he also cautioned that "there shouldn't necessarily be a rush to spend" all of the new revenue. The state also should look at increasing the amount transferred to places like the rainy day fund, he said.

"Our budget priorities, I think, have always been crystal clear," he said. "But the opportunity to peg a specific budget amount, I think, we'll work closely with the Legislature on."

Senate Budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said the increased revenue "makes my job a lot more difficult" because he will now hear from many of those seeking funding about why they actually deserve more funding. On the upside, the additional money will allow a much deeper consideration of programs or projects that may not have received funding, including some corporate tax breaks.

"It won't be hard to spend the money," Hillyard said, noting the funding requests from the appropriations subcommittees are still 30 percent more than revenue.

House budget chairman Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, also acknowledged the new money is impressive but that it would mean more work for the Executive Appropriations Committee, which now must look at projects further down the priority list. It will also mean fiscally conservative legislators who are already concerned about the growth in ongoing programs or salaries — funding needs that could become a problem if revenues drop in the future — will have an even tougher fight to keep spending in check.

"These are significant revenue increases," Bigelow told representatives Monday. "Depending on how you look at this, this is either very good news or very bad news."

Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake, the minority caucus manager, was optimistic about the spending possibilities for the new money. Democrats have pushed all session for more funding for education, not only in public schools but programs such as adult education.

"It's good to see that we have a few more dollars to work with, and hopefully it can help us address some of those other needs," she said. "I am pleasantly surprised."

One of the areas that could receive the biggest boost is education, especially higher education, legislative leaders said. There also could be an increase in the weighted pupil unit, the per-student funding formula the Legislature funded at a 3.5 percent increase in HB3, the education budget bill, but Huntsman has proposed at 4.5 percent.

"There is plenty of money to give both teachers and state employees a healthy raise," Pat Rusk, president of the Utah Education Association, said as she e-mailed the word to members of the 18,000-member union.

The State Board of Education also has been e-mailing legislators about its requests, including $16 million to help prepare elementary school children for higher math standards and $6 million to give struggling high school students help to pass the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test.

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Contributing: Jennifer Toomer-Cook; E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com; jloftin@desnews.com; lisa@desnews.com