With the $83 million in bonds and $245 million in previously budgeted money, all of the projects on the Centennial Highway Fund list could be completed by 2009, Huntsman said. By bonding at the low interest rates earned by the state because of its AAA bond rating, significant amounts could be saved by pre-empting inflation costs within the construction industry, which he said are as high as 17 percent.

The bond proposal could run into serious opposition in the Legislature, which has taken a hard stance against additional borrowing. Friday, Alexander repeated that position, although he did say that House Republicans may push for much more transportation funding to help stem the growth of government.

"I don't see us doing any bonding for transportation," he said. "We have the cash. Let's use it."

The $120 million in new money proposed by Huntsman for the Transportation Investment Fund, which has fewer restrictions than the Centennial Highway Fund, would probably be funneled into a wide range of projects designed to meet an immediate need, said John Njord, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation.

The funding proposals "really represent a commitment to addressing the looming transportation challenge we have coming in the future," he said.

Transportation planners estimate that $16.5 billion is needed over the next 25 years to fund new road and transit projects. Without that funding, planners say, economic development will be stifled and highway congestion will worsen.

There is also $20 million set aside in Huntsman's budget for corridor preservation, which would be used to purchase land for future projects.

Three 'R's, one 'S'

Education is another priority within the Huntsman budget, which proposes increases in both per-pupil funding and specialized programs that target literacy, math and science, especially in elementary schools. Along with enrollment growth funding of $63 million, Huntsman is proposing an increase of 5.5 percent in the weighted pupil unit, which carries a bill of $110 million. The WPU is the state's per-student formula for funding education.

Those numbers were met with support, at least in concept, by legislative leaders from both parties on Friday.

Specialized programs are important, as Huntsman is proposing $7 million for all-day kindergarten programs at high-risk elementary schools, $2.3 million for Concurrent Enrollment, $6.1 million for teacher supplies, and $10 million each for a math and science initiative and replacement of outdated computers and infrastructure for the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS).

State Board of Education chairman Kim Burningham praised the governor's budget, even if it includes less money than the board wants for a few of its favored programs.