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SALT LAKE CITY — One week from Tuesday, 17 counties in Utah will vote on Proposition 1, a proposal that promises to bring widespread transportation improvements.
Proponents said the idea behind the expansion is simple: With the state expecting to see a huge population increase over the next 25 years, Utah needs to be ready.
Prop. 1 promises to put more money into local transportation funds, allowing cities to improve infrastructure like roads, sidewalks and trails while integrating more bus and train routes.
Abby Albrecht, director of the Utah Transportation Coalition, said much of the business community is behind the proposal because it allows room for economic growth.
"Businesses really understand that the investment into transportation helps to continue to get their goods and services to and from places, get their employees to work on time so they're not gridlocked," said Albrecht.
But those improvements come at a major cost.
"We just think Utahns have been taxed enough already," said Evelyn Everton, head of the Utah branch of Americans for Prosperity. "This year, this will be the third tax increase."
Everton and branch members are worried the funds may not be handled properly, with 40 percent going to the cities and 20 percent delegated to the counties.
"… Forty percent of this money is actually going to the Utah," Everton said, "which they haven't been very good stewards with our taxpayer dollars."
Everton points to past bonuses paid out to UTA executives, but Albrecht says they've made important changes.
"Their executives have declined bonuses for the next two years," Albrecht assured.
Both agree improvements may be needed to account for growth. Whether Prop. 1 is the right way to get there will be up to voters next week.
It is currently estimated that the proposition would cost the average person an additional $40 per year.
