SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah House members are working to solidify their budget position on possible funding cuts to the state's educational system.
But the choices have divided Top of Utah lawmakers as they struggle to balance the 2010-11 budget.
GOP House and Senate leaders agreed last week to consider reducing public funding by 1 percent, about $21 million.
"None of these cuts affect the average classroom," said Rep. Kevin Garn, R-Layton, voicing the words echoed among GOP House and Senate leadership.
The 1 percent cuts, if passed, would come from various public education programs, such as transportation or library funding.
Most of that money would go to higher education.
But some Republican lawmakers are asking their caucus to consider ways to avoid the cut.
"These do have an impact on classrooms," Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, argued as GOP members met Monday.
Allen and others believe program cuts affect the bottom line and, eventually, the classroom.
Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, told the caucus that Davis School District leaders said their district alone was losing $20 million or more in the budget as it reads.
Among the suggestions for avoiding reductions are raiding the state's rainy day fund or using the tobacco fund, the money banked from a national settlement of lawsuits against tobacco companies.
The House majority caucus plans to meet today to see if it can choose alternatives to the reduction.
Gov. Gary Herbert also must agree with the changes or veto the budget sent to him by the end of the week.
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