No hoopla over budget plan

When you don't have any money in your pocket, you're not likely to brag about it.

Gov. Mike Leavitt is to announce his recommended 2002-03 budget this Friday. And unlike recent years, Leavitt will not be traveling around the state holding budget press conferences — announcing record spending on this or that worthy state program.

Instead, Leavitt will simply hold an afternoon press conference to unveil the budget and answer reporters' questions. No standing on freeway overpasses or being surrounded by schoolchildren in crowded classrooms for Leavitt this year.

"He has no choice," says House Majority Leader Kevin Garn, who has been a critic of the governor's budget "dog and pony show" in the past. "There's nothing to highlight. We don't have any money."

Dwindling state tax revenues are leaving a $202.5 million hole in the current budget. And the 2002-2003 spending plan that Leavitt is to unveil Friday isn't in much better shape. All parties agree it will be a sparse budget that the Legislature will adopt in February.

Leavitt spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour says the governor has decided "on a change in style" in this year's budget release. But she maintains it is mainly a question of scheduling around time constraints, some associated with the upcoming Winter Olympics. "We have actually been talking about the budget since last March, when we started seeing" the revenue shortfalls, she said.

By law, the governor must recommend a balanced budget to the Legislature a month before legislators gather in their annual general session, which starts Jan. 21. For nearly eight years, Leavitt has used the requirement as an opportunity.

One year, the governor held half a dozen press conferences or media events to talk about a specific area where he was recommending additional spending.

Leavitt did so well in setting the budget stage that legislative leaders complained they found it hard to adopt a budget different than the governor's. State workers, interest groups, lobbyists and the general public balked if lawmakers wanted to spend less than the governor on this or that needy program.

At one point, several GOP lawmakers seriously considered trying to stop Leavitt from talking so much — and getting so much press — on his budget.

Garn, R-Layton, had complained the governor would build up public expectations that would set lawmakers up as the bad guys if they didn't meet those expectations.