Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Richard Piatt ReportingLawmakers are expected to tackle tax reform in next week's special legislative session, but they're also going to consider an equally important and less publicized issue: How to pay for mass transit projects in the future.
Taxes are a fact of life, we all know that. All most of us ask is that they be as fair as possible, and that's what the issue is at the Legislature, about how to pay for TRAX expansion.
It's been well publicized that there are four lines that could be completed ten years early if Salt Lake County voters approve a property tax increase. The proposal at the Legislature is to let all counties consider a sales tax increase for transit instead. That has sparked a whole new argument about fairness, in other words, is a sales tax the best funding source? Even more, are new TRAX lines the cheapest, best way to relieve rush hour gridlock?
Mike Jerman, Utah Taxpayers Association: "No one has put together an anlysis that this is a good idea. UTA hasn't done it, UDOT hasn't done it. They're just saying have blind faith in us, that this is the best way to spend the money."
Keith Rattie, Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors: "We think at its root this is an economic development issue. Economic growth is the engine of prosperity in this state, it's the main funding source for education."
There is heavy-duty legislative lobbying, both pro and con, behind the scenes right now. UTA says the demand for transit is well documented. Early construction on the TRAX lines would make those projects cheaper in the long run.
Remember though, the tax increase would be voter approved. It will make a big difference to people if they're voting for a property tax increase or a sales tax.
