Still, only Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, and Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, voted for the income-tax bill; all other Democrats voted against it.

Interestingly enough, GOP leaders did need Democratic votes to get two-thirds majority for the transportation bill.

Two-thirds was needed for the bill to become law immediately, so the sales tax option could be on the Nov. 7 ballot in Salt Lake County.

Nearly all Democratic legislators come from Salt Lake County, so it is understandable that they would want to support their county mayor (who is also a Democrat) and the council (which is one Democratic vote short of a majority).

Huntsman and legislative leaders promise that the 5.35 flat tax is just the start of true income tax reform in Utah.

And the Conservative Caucus in the House says further tax cuts will be needed to slow the growth of state government.

Plans are already being laid to provide for another round of tax cuts in the 2007 Legislature, now just four months away.

Since Republicans are determined that no taxpayer will have to pay higher income taxes with "reform," as the flat-rate system is changed to lure more and more people to that option, it's clear the income-tax system must give up more revenue.

Since all income taxes by law must go to public or higher education, the ground is set for bitter battles ahead.

As Tuesday's special session shows, as of now there are the votes in both the House and Senate for income tax cuts.

How much more money legislators are willing to syphon away from future education budgets is yet to be seen.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com