State Rep. Casey Snyder warns of $500 million shortfall, urges local role on water and housing

State Representative Casey Snyder, majority leader and the district’s state lawmaker, told the Midland City Council on Nov. 6 that Utah is facing an estimated $500,000,000 shortfall going into the next legislative session and outlined several policy areas likely to be priorities for lawmakers.

Snyder said the shortfall is being driven in part by federal funding changes and that lawmakers are preparing both budget and policy responses. “Right now, as a last look, we’re about $500,000,000 in the hole going into next legislative session,” Snyder said. He described plans under discussion to create a clearinghouse or coordinating board to bring water agencies together and to craft a long‑term water infrastructure plan. Snyder said the state is also studying a possible water fee and mechanisms to aggregate state credit that could produce roughly $300 million for communities…