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Senate hears updated revenue forecast; lawmakers warned ongoing funds are down
Summary
Sen. Steele told the Utah Senate that updated estimates raise total available revenue but reduce ongoing general-fund dollars by about $11.8 million, underscoring pressure on salary and committee allocations and prompting caucus meetings to reconcile positions.
Sen. L. Steele told the Utah Senate on Feb. 16 that newly compiled projections increase total available revenue to about $207.6 million but show a decline in ongoing general-fund receipts compared with earlier expectations. "We are up totally $25,900,000," Steele said, "but we're down ongoing from $11,800,000."
The Senate majority leader said the earlier funding picture—roughly $151 million in ongoing and $31 million in one-time money—has changed after updated projections. Steele warned senators to distinguish one-time revenue from ongoing sources when making salary and program commitments, and he asked to coordinate with the governor's analysts to reconcile figures. "I haven't had an opportunity to contact them," he said when asked whether the governor's numbers matched the Legislature's.
Leadership scheduled caucus meetings after the announcement so committees and both parties could align on spending priorities before further committee action. Steele framed the numbers as sufficient to avoid a deficit but cautioned that the composition of revenue (one-time vs. ongoing) will limit what the Legislature can sustain in future years.
