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House approves $258,000 appropriation for Chase Home repairs amid debate over priorities
Summary
The House passed HB 256 to provide $258,000 toward restoring the historic Chase Home in Liberty Park and securing a 20-year rent-free lease for the Utah Folk Art Museum; debate focused on whether the project bypassed capital facilities prioritization and on matching funds from the LDS Church and Salt Lake City. Vote: 50-23.
The Utah House of Representatives narrowly approved an appropriation on Feb. 8, 1999, to help restore the 145-year-old Chase Home in Liberty Park and to support the Utah Folk Art Museum housed there. Representative Jones, sponsor of House Bill 256, asked for $258,000 in state funds as part of a three-way matching partnership that also included the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the City of Salt Lake City. A consultant’s estimate placed the full restoration cost at about $774,000; the sponsor said a 20-year rent-free lease for the museum would represent roughly $667,000 in value.
Representative Jones said the building is “one of our historic treasures” and described the museum’s statewide collection of folk-art objects and free cultural programming. He said the appropriation would leverage matching funds from the church and the city and deliver long-term value for taxpayers, calling it “a good deal for the taxpayers of the State of Utah.”
Opponents urged caution about process and prioritization. Representative Adair and others argued the project had not been recommended by the building board and warned against circumventing the capital facilities process. Representative Franson suggested procedural reforms to reduce politicization of prioritized lists. Several speakers raised concerns about state budget growth and departmental responsibility; Representative Dayton said he was “ambivalent” because the project is worthy but the process troubled him.
Supporters countered that the project would compete in caucus prioritization and stressed the rarity of matching funds for capital projects. Representative Hatch said matching grants make the request different from other capital asks and encouraged support. Representative Jones closed by emphasizing the value of the museum and the matching commitment.
After extended debate about priorities and the state's funding process, the House approved HB 256 with 50 yes votes and 23 no votes. The measure will be referred to the Senate for further action.
