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Pristine air, well-funded schools and health care for the needy.

That's what Utah Democrats say residents could expect if they were in charge.

"Utahns would breathe air that doesn't make us sick," state Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon said at a Capitol Hill news conference Friday aimed at highlighting policy priorities of the minority party.

"Utah is an outdoor state, but we shouldn't have to climb mountains to get a breath of fresh air."

If Democrats were calling the shots, Corroon claimed, the state would also enjoy a strong middle class, more education funding, campaign spending limits and expanded Medicare eligibility.

While Corroon applauded Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's call to allocate more money to education next year, he said Democrats would prefer a long-term increased funding plan.

Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, suggested reforming the current tax structure to allow fewer deductions, or returning to a progressive tax structure to put more money into schools.

"We need to make sure that our children are learning with the latest technology and that the teacher in the classroom has those tools to keep the children at the highest level we can," Davis said.

Democratic lawmakers on hand expressed support for Sen. Steve Urquhart's anti-discrimination bill for LGBT individuals, but said it should be separate from any religious-freedom legislation.

"They are related, but they are two very separate concepts," said House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City.