University of Utah researchers say the state's commercial construction industry will likely grow this year — before it steadily falls off in 2009. A decline in construction would cut significantly into Utah's employment figures.

The decline would be worse if the LDS Church wasn't pouring money into the massive City Creek Center Downtown.

The long and the short? Utah will have a little more time than the rest of the nation to prepare for an economic slow down.

The scary news nationally continued today as markets wildly fluxuated. Investors are, simply put, freaking out over the prospect of a recession. With Apple and Motorola sliding, the Federal Reserve's emergency rate cut won't make much difference in short term.

Debate should get interesting at the Legislature as lawmakers decide what to do with a $1 billion revenue surplus.