Session Nears Quiet End

Utah’s Legislature appears headed toward a quiet finish tomorrow, with agreement reached on most of the major issues and little money left to be allocated in the $11 billion budget.

The three biggest issues — school equalization, transportation, and immigration — have produced bills that are awaiting votes after Republican leaders have reached agreement.

Lawmakers may add an extra 1% in one-time dollars for education funding after agreeing to a 2.5% increase in per-pupil spending. GOP leaders and Gov. Jon Huntsman have agreed on a $1,700 salary increase for teachers.

Major immigration provisions remain to be decided, but pending legislation — SB 81 — would bar undocumented immigrants from getting jobs or public benefits starting in July 2009. One House measure on immigration that has been sent to the governor requires the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel to study potential federal reimbursement for illegal immigration.

An increase in transportation funding would come from a 0.05% sales tax increase on everything but groceries.

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