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SALT LAKE CITY -- Several citizen groups are speaking out against the Legislature's veto override session, scheduled for Friday morning.
The issue is money, and how much of it should be devoted exclusively to transportation projects.
Senate Bill 229 would provide tens of millions of dollars of new sales tax revenue each year to transportation projects. Many lawmakers want to override Gov. Gary Herbert's veto of the measure.
Related:
Why a gas tax increase might be a good idea
The idea is counter intuitive: Pass a gas tax increase in the midst of a financial crisis?People who gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday morning agree with Gov. Herbert, saying the money should remain more fluid and available for other things, not just earmarked for road maintenance and construction.
The lawmakers who supported the bill say they're trying to be financially responsible by investing in infrastructure, as well as limiting the growth in other areas of government.
Those at the rally are concerned the bill would take money from public and higher education, and social service programs. Representatives of those programs usually fight for funds every year at the Legislature. They believe SB229 would make that fight harder.
Politically, both the House and the Senate need a supermajority to override the veto, which leaders in the House say they have. In the Senate, Democrats will need to vote to override because a couple Republican senators are out of town.
Currently about $295 million of sales tax revenue a year is already devoted to transportation projects. This bill would add about $60 million a year to that.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
