Most groups enjoy infusions of cash

With a record-setting $1.7 billion surplus, finding a group that didn't get funding was maybe the most difficult budget challenge this session.

Education, transportation and even health and human services received huge infusions of cash. It was significant enough that even Democrats said they'd be voting for the budget this year.

"This is without a doubt, the best year I've been involved in the budget," said House Minority Whip Brad King, D-Price. He said that this year would be the first time in 11 years that he would vote for a state budget bill.

Highlights of the budget, which was on-schedule to be approved late Wednesday, include the following:

• $527.9 million for higher and public education, including $2,500 in salary increases and $1,000 in bonuses.

• $1 billion bond for road fixes throughout the state.

• $54 million for health and human service needs, including $2.2 million for vision and dental services for adult Medicaid beneficiaries.

• $220 million tax cut.

• $314 million to the state's Rainy Day Fund .

• 3.5 percent cost-of-living raise for state employees, and a 1.5 percent discretionary pay raise, all totaling about $55.8 million.

• $3 million for more state cars.

• $779,000 to the House of Representatives, and the Senate gets $314,000.

• $3.2 million to Utah Sports Authority. Leadership in both the House and Senate are affiliated with this group.

• $1.3 million for medical services for prison inmates.

• $1 for tourism promotion.

• $475,000 for trail grants.

Like the Democrats, Republican lawmakers and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. were also pleased with the budget. A lot of the good will was due to the surplus, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, agreed. Because of the surplus, he said it was easier to make everyone happy. And unlike last year, much of the budget negotiations were done by Monday, two days before the session ended.