Huntsman Proposes Generous Budget

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman Junior is playing Santa Claus with the state's $1.6 billion surplus, and he has his eye on one group in particular:

"Utah's school kids and educators are definitely on Santa's good list this year," says Huntsman.

Huntsman's proposed budget calls for an 18-percent increase in spending for public education - including optional all-day kindergarten for at-risk students, 30-million dollars to reduce class sizes in K-through-3 classrooms and a one-thousand dollar bonus for all teachers. Huntsman also calls for the state's largest transportation budget in history and another 100-million dollars in tax cuts. The Governor says it would finish the income tax reform lawmakers started last year:

"I think there's a great desire this year because the framework is in place," says Huntsman.

Huntsman wants the money spent lowering to five percent the flat tax piece of the state's new dual tax system. He also proposes a credit to help the lowest income earners. All told, the state's budget for 2008 tops $10.5 billion.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW