Huntsman calls special legislative session

As expected, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is calling lawmakers back into special session Wednesday to make technical fixes to legislation passed during the 2009 Legislature.

No further budget cuts are on the agenda set by the governor. Earlier this year, lawmakers sliced about 9 percent from the state budget to deal with a $1 billion revenue shortfall.

Most of the 15 items lawmakers will address during their monthly interim day do deal with adjustments to the budget. Just about all are technical, though, and won't change the actual amount spent when the new budget year begins July 1.

But there is also a proposal to raise Medicaid hospital provider rates. Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said the up to $6 million in additional spending would come from a restricted account.

"This is sort of the fair thing to do," Waddoups said, noting Medicaid providers took a 24 percent cut in those rates. "We're not going into the Rainy Day Fund. We're not raising the cigarette tax. All those tools will still be available to us during the general session in January."

In addition to the budget items, technical corrections will also be made to several bills, including one on subdividing land in rural areas that had been vetoed by the governor.

Waddoups said left off the list were several suggestions, including helping out Chrysler dealers who are losing their dealerships because of the company's financial woes. "I'm not sure that's something the government should be involved in," he said.

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