While overall about 3 percent was cut from state budgets, more cuts may well be coming in the 2009 Legislature, which convenes in January.

Hoping to at least get through until the 2009 general session, legislators actually cut $400,000 more than needed to balance the budget now — with warnings that the American economy may actually get worse over the next few months, harming state tax revenues even more before this fiscal year ends next June 30.

Public education was not cut in this special session. But unless tax revenues rebound, cuts next year of 4 percent and more could be coming, some leaders warned.

Huntsman was slightly more optimistic, saying that while it would be a "minor miracle" for the state to actually see revenue growth, "we might be able to pull it off."

Senate GOP leaders also said there may not need to be more cuts next year, thanks to their actions in the special session.

"There could be future bad news, so we decided to do the prudent thing," Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said. "We're hopeful we've left enough funds on the table for the next budget year," which begins July 1, 2009.

But Senate Minority Whip Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, sounded less convinced. "I don't want to say I'm pessimistic," Davis said. "Budgets don't turn around overnight."

Utah's colleges and universities regained some money Friday, "but I'm told there will still be layoffs this year" of some higher education employees, said Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, House chairman of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. He was also "struggling" with public education not being asked to share in the pain, and even was being allowed to pursue new programs.

"I'm wondering if there is a way to not necessarily pull that money off but to at least send a message to public education ... that the economy isn't really that hot right now so maybe you ought to hold onto some of that money," he said during the House caucus.

Leaders said they hoped that general state government can get through this year without laying off any state workers. Next fiscal year is another story, however.

Admitting it was more of a symbolic gesture than a significant money-saving measure, legislators also voted not to take what would be a $10-a-day automatic pay raise for themselves starting next year. And the Legislature's own budget was cut by 3 percent, like other state nonpublic education budgets were.

Some of the Friday budget decisions included: