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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House approved a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would raise the bar for citizen initiatives that include tax increases.
HJR17, sponsored by Rep. Jason Kyle, R-Huntsville, would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would require ballot initiatives with new taxes or rate increases to get support from at least 60% of voters, increasing the threshold from a simple majority.
"This sends a message to out-of-state special interests that your tax dollars are not up for grabs on their pet projects," Kyle said.
He said it would also protect the minority of Utahns from efforts to increase taxes by a small majority.
"Many times, as someone from rural Utah, we feel that our position, our perspective and our voice is not heard simply because we don't have the benefit of significant numbers in terms of population," said Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise. "This amendment gives us that necessary check in terms of the process."
Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, said he supports protecting people from complete majority rule, but said there are others ways to do that without ignoring the will of the voters — even if that will is expressed by a small majority.
But supporters of the bill took shots at California — which is known for its frequent ballot initiatives — and said the resolution walks a fine line of allowing voters to express their will, without giving carte blanche to those who want to set policy via referendum.
"We increasingly see Utah turning into California with initiatives coming forward," said House Majority Leader Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, who believes the amendment would be a better way to allow people to have a voice.
Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, added that ballot initiatives are a simple yes or no vote, and don't go through the same legislative process as bills do.
"I think it's important to have the right for the public to be able to weigh in and pursue an initiative. However, it's important to have some guardrails on that right," he said.
Kyle said the proposed amendment wouldn't prohibit people from running initiatives, and said "if they're good ideas, they'll easily clear the 60%."
HJR17 passed 56-16 and will head to the Senate, where the floor sponsor is Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan. If passed, voters will have the chance to approve the amendment in the 2024 general election.
