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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- So if they were given a choice, would Salt Lake County voters prefer a sales tax increase or higher property taxes to pay for transit projects?
According to a new study, a sales tax increase would be more welcome -- or, less unwelcome.
The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce commissioned the Utah Foundation study, which concluded that people would likely choose a sales tax increase over a property tax hike because the higher sales tax would be incremental and easier to pay.
According to the study, Salt Lake County businesses would pay 43 percent of a proposed 890 (M)million dollar bond to pay for early completion of four TRAX lines. The property-tax backed bond issue is on the county's November ballot.
If the Legislature instead comes up with a sales-tax increase, businesses would contribute about 31 percent of the revenue, the study found.
That would still leave homeowners shouldering the burden of the funding, but the Chamber of Commerce feels it is preferable to increasing property taxes.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
