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Committee sends resolution to ballot proposing 60% threshold for tax‑related citizen initiatives
Summary
The Government Operations Committee voted 7–3 to advance a resolution asking voters whether tax‑increasing initiatives should require 60% approval instead of a simple majority.
Senator Fillmore presented Senate Joint Resolution 2, which would ask Utah voters whether initiatives that raise taxes should require a 60% supermajority to pass. "How easy do you want it to be for your neighbors to raise your taxes?" he asked, saying the resolution asks voters whether they want a broader consensus for tax increases via initiative.
In committee questions, the sponsor pointed to other states with similar requirements and noted that Utah already uses supermajorities for certain measures (for example, a two‑thirds threshold for initiatives that restrict hunting or fishing). Critics from the public and some committee members said a 60% requirement would undercut majority rule and make it harder for grassroots efforts.
Public commenters were split. Billy Hesterman of the Utah Taxpayers Association urged committee members to move the resolution forward, arguing a higher threshold forces more scrutiny of ballot initiatives that have fiscal impacts. Opponents included Chase Thomas of Alliance for a Better Utah, Leslie Zabriskie of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and Catherine Beal of the League of Women Voters of Utah, who warned the change would weaken the initiative power and disproportionately affect grassroots campaigns.
Representative McPherson moved to pass the resolution from committee with a favorable recommendation. The committee held a roll call vote; the clerk recorded a 7–3 vote in favor. The transcript shows aye votes recorded for a majority of members and three no votes. The resolution will go to the next legislative stage for consideration.
