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House approves measure to raise tax-initiative threshold to 60%; amendment goes to voters
Summary
The Utah House voted to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would raise the approval threshold for statewide ballot initiatives that raise taxes from a simple majority to 60%. Lawmakers debated whether the change would protect taxpayers or unduly restrict direct democracy.
The Utah House of Representatives voted to approve SJR 2, a proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution that would raise the required approval rate for statewide ballot initiatives that increase taxes to 60 percent, the sponsor said.
Representative Jason B. Kyle, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the proposal "will let [voters] decide whether they want to make it harder for their neighbors to raise their taxes" and that it "raises the threshold for ballot initiatives that raise taxes to 60%." The House passed the measure 55-17; the measure will be sent to the Senate and, if approved there, to voters.
Supporters argued the higher threshold would force broader consensus before voters approve initiatives that increase state spending. Representative Kyle said the change would "bring more people to the table" and compared the proposal to other constitutional provisions that create higher thresholds for certain actions.
Opponents warned the 60 percent requirement would make it difficult for citizens to use initiatives to fund public needs. Representative Bennion said Idaho's experience with a similar 60 percent requirement had constrained school funding, asserting "they have not been able to fund schools" under that regime. Representative Owens described the proposal as risking "enshrin[ing] minority rule" if high bars were written into the constitution.
Lawmakers also debated whether the proposal would affect local school funding, and whether placing the threshold in the state constitution would be hard to reverse. Representative Thurston and other supporters said the measure applies to statewide initiatives that raise taxes and would not directly change local school-district taxing mechanisms. Representative McPherson asked whether voters could themselves change such a threshold; Representative Kyle replied there is no other method.
The House vote on SJR 2 was 55 yes, 17 no. The measure will be sent to the Senate for its action and, if enacted by both chambers, would go on the statewide ballot for voter approval.
The House debate and vote did not resolve whether future initiatives would meet a newly required 60 percent approval at the ballot box; placing the amendment on the ballot is the next step.
