"Save Some for Utah Families"

None by KCPW

Advocates Ask for 7% of State Budget

(KCPW News) Lawmakers have a week left to finalize the state budget and spend a record surplus. They've settled on 220-million dollars for tax cuts, more than 300-million for public schools and millions for transportation. Community advocates are now clamoring for their share, too. KCPW's Julie Rose reports:

 

Community advocates are pleading with Utah lawmakers to save a sliver of the state's record budget surplus for programs that benefit families.

The Family Investment Coalition says 7-percent of the surplus - or 56-million dollars - would be enough to fund a long list of programs that will help uninsured children, people with disabilities and working families. Their specific recommendations include funding for the waiting list for services for people with disabilities, all-day kindergarten in struggling schools, homeless housing programs, dental and vision for Medicaid recipients and the state health insurance program for children.

Legislative budget committees recommended only 37-million for the same programs. Final budget decisions will be made within the week.

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