Spending debate turns testy as GOP ponders priorities

Despite state government having record-setting tax surpluses, arguing over what to do with the money is leading to tough choices and sometimes hard feelings.

Take Monday, for example. A House GOP caucus meeting — kept open to the public while Republican senators held their budget discussions behind closed doors — became heated as members argued for and against different spending proposals.

Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, became so emotional at one point that he walked out of the caucus, leading House budget chairman Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, to say it was good to conduct such business in public, even if emotions sometimes get the best of people.

The Senate Republican caucus was much more sedate, its leaders said. Still, they aren't entirely in agreement with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. yet, either. So far, the governor appears to be holding firm to his budget.

"There's nothing new on the table," said Jason Chaffetz, the governor's chief of staff. "We're down to a half dozen key items and a dozen items overall." The amounts in dispute on each of the items range from about $25,000 to as much as $5 million, he said.

Both House and Senate leaders, as well as aides to the governor, stressed Monday that no budget decisions are final, as legislators move to adopt a budget by midnight March 2. After legislators left their chambers Monday, leaders again huddled with Huntsman.

Still, Mascaro and a few other GOP House members were not happy with parts of a four-page spending list brought to the caucuses Monday, claiming priorities made by budget subcommittees after weeks of hearings and votes were not strictly followed.

Mascaro wanted to know what happened to some $8.7 million in priority funding to restore Medicaid dental and vision services — services trimmed in recent state budgets as tax revenues dwindled.

It was hoped that such help for the poor could be found this year when lawmakers were told by budget experts they had more than $600 million in new and one-time funds. Restoring those benefits is also high on the governor's priority list.

"I don't care how you explain this list," a still upset Mascaro said after the caucus. Not funding "the subcommittee's first and second priorities — the dental and vision care — is a bunch of crap."

Restoring the dental and vision benefits is still an "open issue" among GOP senators, Senate Majority Leader Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, said. They generally agree with the amount of money the governor wants but not how it should be distributed, he said.