Utah Senate approves several base budget bills; one senator objects to USTAR funding

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate advanced a slate of base budget bills on Day 9 of the 2006 general session, approving measures that set funding for higher education, infrastructure, social services and other state programs and sending them to the House for consideration.

Senators voted to pass Senate Bill 1, the higher education base budget, and a series of first substitute budget bills — including first substitute SB 4 (business, economic development and labor), first substitute SB 5 (executive offices and criminal justice), first substitute SB 6 (infrastructure and general government), first substitute SB 7 (veterans and National Guard) and first substitute SB 8 (social services) — after sponsors said staff and committees had identified internal reallocations to meet priorities without a tax increase. Many of the measures were considered under suspension of the constitutional three‑reading requirement to expedite floor action.

Why it matters: These base budgets set broad spending levels that guide agency allocations and frame appropriations later in the legislative process. The measures will now proceed to the House for its consideration.

What senators said

Senator Hilliard, speaking about the budget process and changes agreed in committee, said sponsors and staff had located programs where "money can be reallocated ... so we'll be able to fund more of the basic programs we feel are really important without a tax increase." The remark was offered as explanation for internal shifts in spending rather than new revenue.

Opposition and debate

Senator Reid announced a formal no vote on first substitute SB 4, focusing his opposition on funding for USTAR, the state's research and technology initiative. "They've literally spent well over $300,000,000 with the expectation ... that they would meet some performance outcomes. They've not met those outcomes," Reid said, arguing that the program had failed to deliver promised jobs and economic multipliers and recommending oversight be shifted to the higher education appropriations process or that the funding be more strictly justified.

No senator offered an immediate floor rebuttal to Reid's charges; the chamber proceeded to a roll call and recorded passage of the first substitute SB 4 despite that objection.

Vote tallies and procedural notes

- Senate Bill 1 (higher education): reported as passed, 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent; sent to the House. - First substitute SB 4 (business/economic development and labor): reported passage, 26 yay, 1 nay, 2 absent; sent to the House. - First substitute SB 5 (executive offices and criminal justice) as amended: reported passage, 27 yay, 0 nay, 2 absent; sent to the House. - First substitute SB 6 (infrastructure and general government): reported passage, 25 yay, 0 nay, 4 absent; sent to the House. - First substitute SB 7 (veterans, National Guard): reported passage, 27 yay, 0 nay, 2 absent; sent to the House. - First substitute SB 8 (social services) as amended: reported passage, 27 yay, 0 nay, 2 absent; sent to the House.

Several bills were acted on under a process often described on the floor as "circling" or being handled after sponsors post substitutes; sponsors indicated they would reconvene certain bill actions at 11:30 a.m. to accommodate agreed‑to amendments. Many of the votes were taken after the chamber temporarily suspended the constitutional three‑reading rule as allowed in limited circumstances.

What happens next

The passed measures will be transmitted to the Utah House of Representatives for that chamber's consideration. Sponsors and committee leaders said additional appropriations work remains as the Legislature proceeds through the session.

Ending

Floor business concluded for the day with the Senate adjourning until the next scheduled meeting and a brief ceremonial moment: members sang "Happy Birthday" to Senator Robles before leaving the chamber.