Huntsman unveils $11.7 billion spending plan

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. wants an $11.7 billion spending plan for the state next year, no general tax cuts, but increased spending for public education, health care for the uninsured and improved air quality.

Keeping a trend started several years ago, Huntsman — a Republican who will seek another four-year term in 2009 — wants increases for public education and teachers.

"While the weather outside is frightful, my budget for teachers is delightful," Huntsman told a packed press conference Monday afternoon.

The Weighted Pupil Unit — the state's main education funding formula — should increase by 7 percent next year. In addition, he wants $26 million just to recruit and retain qualified teachers, on top of any 7 percent increase in salaries.

Huntsman also wants to start a new program aimed at getting more currently uninsured Utahns at least basic health care coverage. It starts at $30 million — specifics still to come — for a new plan to take effect in 2010.

Finally, Huntsman wants $10.5 million to beef up state air quality programs — new monitoring programs to keep better track of the deteriorating air quality along the Wasatch Front, $5 million to increase energy efficiency of state buildings, and $2.4 million to buy new-generation hybrid vehicles for the state fleets.

The state had record-breaking revenues last year — more than $1.6 billion between one-time cash surpluses and increased new tax collections.

While this year is good, it's not like before. Huntsman's economists say the new budget, which starts next July, will have $1.1 billion in additional funds, ongoing tax revenue growth combined with one-time surpluses.

In tax revenue growth alone, the state will take in an additional $431 million, even though the 2007 Legislature gave a $220 million tax reduction a year ago.

Huntsman wants no general tax cuts this year, instead opting to spend the anticipated additional tax collections on better teacher pay, health insurance, air quality and a lot more spending on roads.

In fact, Huntsman says a whopping $437 million should be spent on roads and buildings in fiscal 2008-2009.

The Legislature, dominated by Republicans, will set the final budget before they adjourn the 45-day general session around March 1.