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Richard Piatt Reporting"We need roads, but human needs come first."
A plea to lawmakers: Have a heart when you talk about money on Capitol Hill. It's a Valentine's Day message, tailor-made for Utah lawmakers. It comes from the poor, those on Medicaid and other public assistance programs facing uncertainty and cuts.
It's a question of where to invest, in things or people? With a billion dollar surplus this year, some people think the choice is obvious. But the trick is finding balance in the Legislature, making the right decision.
At the Capitol, they're staring a dilemma right in the face: A billion dollar surplus. No way to do everything everyone wants.
Miriam Hyde, Medicaid Client: "My whole family is on Medicaid and it saves our lives. I have children, I have a husband."
To some, it's a matter of the heart. Those on public assistance who need vision coverage and money for expensive medication are asking for help. People want public education infused with cash. It all adds up. So what are the priorities in this state?
Judi Hilman, The Family Investment Coalition: "You can't have economic development without healthy people to work the jobs."
To do everything this group wants, except fund education, it would take about 50-million dollars. That's a fraction of what the state's got. It would be a great Valentine, but they may get a box of chocolates instead of a diamond ring.
Rep. Ron Bigelow, Executive Appropriations Co-Chair: "Certainly there will be increased funding to both welfare and public education. What we don't know yet is how much."
Not everyone will get what they want. Representative Jim Ferrin knows that. His plan to get the money to fix highway 6 just got changed. Now it's a generic plan for all road projects. It's another legislative balancing act over power and money and people's well being.
Rep. Jim Ferrin, (R) Orem: "I would like to issue a 1.3 billion dollar bond and fix Highway 6 once and for all. I think it's a good use of money, and as far as human issues, it's an incredible use of money."
This is just the beginning of the struggle over what to do with all that money at the Capitol. It's a fight that happens every year. Ironically, it may be a little more difficult this time.
