Among other initiatives, Huntsman called for spending $2.5 million to monitor and improve air quality. He supports the purchase of new equipment to monitor airborne mercury and wants improved efficiency in state buildings. Huntsman also wants the Division of Fleet Operations to buy hybrid vehicles and asks $2.4 million for low-emission vehicles.

Dr. Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said the group is pleased that Huntsman is announcing substantial new expenditures to protect air quality. But he said the state needs to do more.

"We need to pass some legislation to heavily incentivize people to drive less, to drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. We need to embark on a statewide anti-idling campaign, in particular (for) diesel vehicles," he said.

During red alert days, when air pollution is high, mass transit should be free so fewer vehicles are on the road, Moench said, "even if that means taking some money out of the general fund."

Refugee services

The governor's budget includes $200,000 for refugee services in the Department of Workforce Services. Using state funds for the first time to help refugees would extend services beyond the five years refugees are eligible for federal funding. It's part of an initiative to create a Refugee Services Office, mostly using existing federal funding.