Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- This week marks the halfway point for the 2010 Utah legislature. Starting Tuesday, both Republicans and Democrats are expecting one thing to dominate their time: the budget.
Up to now, lawmakers have been preparing for a worst-case scenario. Now they'll see if the deeper cuts they've made will take effect or not.
The budget numbers carry such importance that details are closely guarded right now. In advance of the revenue projections, Legislative leaders will only promise to be "fair."
Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City, said, "We will look at public ed, higher ed, health and human services, and we will come up with a reasonable budget for them."
In the last few weeks, the people directly tied to the budget have been preparing for the worst.
That could mean 3 to 4 percent more cuts than last year, on average. If that happens, there will be a scramble to push for supplemental funding, like the rainy day fund or even a tobacco tax.
Lincoln Nehring of the Utah Health Policy Project said, "The good news is, the state has lots of options, if we create the political will to use them."
The possibility of deeper cuts has people taking action: Shelly Otte, a teacher at Sunrise Elementary School in Cache County, came to fight for classroom funding and future retirement.
"I know there's always room for more communication, and I want them to listen with open hearts as well as ears," Otte said.
Aside from money, lawmakers are taking on the federal government this year.
Anti-big government lawmakers have bills to control federal school trust land and reject climate change initiatives and federal health care reform.
There are sharp opinions about these efforts.
"Without some help from Medicaid, you could cripple families," said concerned parent Jennifer Fillmore.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, admonished her fellow lawmakers to "stop grandstanding. Stop trying to make a point about the big, bad federal government."
On the other end of the spectrum, Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said, "We've got to have the guts and intestinal fortitude to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.'"
Despite the holiday, people are working on the budget Monday night, getting ready to unveil it Tuesday.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
