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SALT LAKE CITY — Our Schools Now will hold public hearings throughout the state Tuesday on the initiative to increase sales and income tax rates to raise some $700 million annually for education.
The hearings are required before the Teachers and Student Success Act initiative can be circulated for the voter signatures needed to qualify for the November 2018 ballot.
Backers of the initiative expect to begin gathering signatures in August. They will need more than 113,000 voters in at least 26 of the 29 state Senate districts to sign by next April.
"These hearings will continue the conversation on how to best support teachers, improve achievement and ensure students are better prepared with skills to succeed in today's world," Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson said.
Anderson, co-chairman of the initiative petition drive, said Utahns "have the opportunity to decide if we should make this investment in their children and our future."
The initiative would incrementally raise state sales tax rates from 4.7 percent to 5.2 percent and state income tax rates from 5 percent to 5.5 percent between 2019 and 2021.
The hearings are all scheduled 6 p.m. Tuesday and will be held at the following elementary schools:
● Ashley Elementary — 350 N. 1150 West, Vernal
● Castle Heights Elementary — 750 N. Homestead Blvd., Price
● Ephraim Elementary — 570 S. 300 East, Ephraim
● Hillcrest Elementary — 960 N. 1400 East, Logan
● Legacy Elementary — 280 E. 100 South, St. George
● Orem Elementary — 450 W. 400 South, Orem
● Wasatch Elementary — 30 R St., Salt Lake City
Public comments will also be accepted on the Our Schools Now website, www.ourschoolsnow.com.
There are at least two other initiatives expected to be circulated, one seeking to legalize medical marijuana and another attempting to establish an independent redistricting commission to redraw legislative and congressional boundaries.
