Budget to smile on students, roads

With state revenues continuing to climb, the budget to be unveiled today by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is expected to include significant increases in funding for education and transportation.

Sources told the Deseret Morning News Thursday that Huntsman wants per-student spending to jump as much as 5.5 percent and at one time was looking at $35 million or more for math and science education in the lower grades and full-day kindergarten programs.

And after receiving $120 million in the last budget, transportation could also get another major infusion. Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert's chief of staff, Joe Demma, promised on the eve of the budget announcement that the state will "put its money where its mouth is" when it comes to improving the road infrastructure.

"It will have more funding in it (for transportation)," Demma said Thursday. "Between ongoing and one-time money, it will be significant."

Huntsman's deputy chief of staff and spokesman Mike Mower declined to confirm specific information about the budget before it is released at noon today. But Mower said the governor is proposing "responsible tax reform as well as providing funding for important Utah needs such as education, transportation and employee compensation."

This budget, Mower said, "will serve the people of Utah well."

During his first legislative session in office, Huntsman ran into trouble when he proposed only $33 million for transportation. Legislators, led by the House Republicans, pushed through almost four times that amount.

Transportation funding became the biggest hang-up in budget negotiations between legislators and the governor and was the focus of ire for a number of groups — including public education, veterans, and Medicare recipients — who felt their needs were being pushed aside in favor of roads.

Driven by revenue surpluses pushing $90 million in just the first four months of the fiscal year, the governor's budget will also include a $60 million tax cut which the Deseret Morning News first reported Thursday.

The tax cut will reportedly include the income tax plan endorsed by the bipartisan Tax Reform Task Force that establishes a lower rate of 5 percent, as well as some yet-to-be decided reduction in the sales tax on food.

Sources indicate Huntsman is poised to deliver on education, too, with a 4.5- to 5.5 percent increase in the weighted pupil unit, the state's basic per-student funding formula. The State Board of Education is asking for a 5 percent increase, costing just over $100 million.

Offering full-day kindergarten programs for needy students, math and science help, and money for teachers who help close achievement gaps also are likely to be in the mix, sources say.