Education, teachers to reap a bonanza

Education stands to be the big winner this session in the fight for funding, with lawmakers proposing to give about one-third of the state's $1.6 billion surplus to schools.

On Friday afternoon, legislative leaders announced their budget priorities, which include $527.9 million in new money for public education and higher education.

That would be an unprecedented 21.4 percent increase, following record spending on public schools the past two years.

And there's still money left for programs in human services, criminal justice and transportation, where lawmakers are proposing to issue a $1 billion bond to build new roads throughout the state.

"It is a long, difficult process," Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, the House budget chairman, said during an Executive Appropriations Committee meeting. "We get a lot of people involved with very strong ideas and beliefs and opinions about what is best to do and try and work through those to come up with a reasonably good budget."

Leadership from both parties in the House and Senate gave unanimous approval to the budget priorities and the remainder of the state's budget during the Executive Appropriations Committee meeting.

The budget will be drafted into several bills over the weekend and could be debated as early as Monday. Changes can still be made to the budget up until lawmakers have to adjourn at midnight Wednesday.

But lawmakers have made it clear that education was this year's top priority, echoing earlier promises made by legislative leaders and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. that 2007 would be the year public schools cash in. Huntsman had recommended $317 million for public education.

"First and foremost, this budget is a major home run for education. It is unprecedented in its level and reach," said Huntsman spokesman Mike Mower. "It's a darn good budget. One of the best in Utah history."

Of the record half-billion proposed for education, a total of $459.5 million is set aside for public education. That far surpasses last year's record funding hike of $242.9 million.

"We have said for years we have a commitment to public education and in a two-year period we would have an increase of 34 percent," said House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. "We are committed to public education, and we are demonstrating that."

Public education stands to receive a 4 percent increase in the weighted pupil unit, which is the state's basic per-pupil funding formula. Last year's increase in the WPU was 6 percent, but in adding up total money that would go to teacher compensation, GOP lawmakers said the equivalent would be an 8 percent increase in the WPU.