The list became a federal case in 2002, but was dismissed when the judge determined the Legislature was making reasonable progress in reducing the list.

The largest expenditures among the top 20 ongoing allocation recommendations was more than $11 million for Medicaid: $4.1 million to large Medicaid services provider; $4.5 million to increase the reimbursement rates to doctors who treat Medicaid patients; $2.8 million to restore adult dental Medicaid benefits.

• Public education: The Public Education subcommittee kept within a $60 million limit for priorities, not counting boosts in teacher pay and overall student funding, which are expected to be hammered out in Executive Appropriations. Those top-tier priorities include nearly $30 million to tackle a teacher shortage, including more pay for special education teachers and differentiated pay initiatives. Also there is nearly $8 million to infuse schools with the arts and $2 million more for private school tuition vouchers for special education students.

Ranked 36th on the list, well below the $60 million threshold, is $28.5 million to equalize building money for tax-poor and growing school districts initiated by the Jordan School District split. Committee co-chiarman Sen. Howard Stephenson said that's because Executive Appropriations also is expected to make good on that issue.

• Transportation, air quality and National Guard: Lawmakers on Thursday recommended millions in spending for "choke point" road projects, fixes to road intersections, funding for air quality and tuition assistance for the national guard, among their list of priority spending items.

The choke point projects are described as small fixes to roads that can make a big impact on congestion. An appropriations subcommittee is recommending $120 million in one-time funding for these fixes. Other items include $1 million to pay for a new radar system for the Provo airport. It ranked number two on a priority list for one-time funds.

• Corrections: An appropriations subcommittee has recommended spending $5.8 million on corrections officers' salaries, nearly double the governor's $3 million request. The money would help recruit and retain officers in a department that has faced staffing shortages.

"The fact that they saw the need there is fantastic," said Utah Department of Corrections spokeswoman Angie Welling.

The starting pay for a state corrections officer is about $13.73 an hour. The department, which has been overhauled in management, had to deal with an officer's murder and several escapes.