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Senate hearing: updated revenue estimates give lawmakers new funds to allocate, senator says
Summary
Senator Jerry Stevenson told the Utah Senate that updated revenue estimates added roughly $109 million in ongoing revenue and additional one-time funds, but he cautioned senators that the totals will not cover all requests and that committees must now prioritize spending.
Sen. Jerry Stevenson told colleagues on the Senate floor that new revenue estimates from legislative analysts, the governor’s Office of Management and Budget and the Utah Tax Commission have increased the pool of money available for the 45-day session, providing additional ongoing and one-time resources for appropriation.
"As we went through that process, we reduced spending by $35 million ongoing and $33 million one time," Stevenson said, summarizing adjustments that followed earlier decisions to repay the rainy-day fund and set aside monies for capital projects and firefighter retirement. He said the combined updates amount to roughly $109 million in additional ongoing revenue plus a separate one-time amount, with distributions that include increases to both the general fund and the education fund.
Stevenson framed the update as a starting point, not a solution. "These are some fairly large numbers," he said, "but they certainly don't meet all the requests that we have been given through the appropriations process. It doesn't mean that we're going to meet everything, and it means there will be a lot of changes."
Why it matters: The new estimates shift how the Senate will approach remaining budget choices in the session. Stevenson said lawmakers will spend the coming weeks reconciling priorities and balancing one-time and ongoing commitments.
Stevenson also emphasized the uncertainty tied to federal tax changes he said could add $25 million in ongoing revenue; he warned parts of that amount remain contingent on federal action and therefore may not be fully relied on in long-term planning.
What comes next: Senate leaders and appropriations committees will use the revised estimates as they finalize funding for education, capital projects and other priorities. Stevenson closed by urging members to begin the detailed work of allocating the newly available dollars.
The Senate continued with third-reading business after the announcement.
