Gov. John Hickenlooper said Tuesday he is pleased the state's executive director of budgeting could bring some holiday cheer to lawmakers with a revised budget forecast that might potentially allow $89 million to be restored to Colorado's education funding.

Still, the head of the legislature's money-minding Joint Budget Committee stopped short of endorsing the plan to boost education dollars based on budget predictions.

"We're still in a very tentative situation economically," said Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen. "We need to stay vigilant and careful with our budget."

Hickenlooper's budget-makers told legislators they expect revenues for the current fiscal year to come in $231 million above expectations. That, plus an expected boost to next fiscal year's revenues, have the governor proposing the restoration to K-12 education funding, plus additions to the higher-education budget and to a program that helps needy seniors pay their rent and heating bills.

"It's one of the good days to talk about the budget," Hickenlooper said at a news conference.