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Utah House defeats tuition tax credit bill after heated floor debate and $10 million hold‑harmless fight
Summary
The Utah House debated a lengthy package of amendments to Second Substitute House Bill 39 (tuition tax credits), including a $10 million hold‑harmless fund and audit provisions, but ultimately voted 34–40 to defeat the measure after intense debate and a visit from U.S. Senator Robert Bennett.
The Utah House of Representatives defeated a major tuition tax credit measure on Feb. 24, rejecting Second Substitute House Bill 39 after hours of debate over funding, oversight and constitutional risk.
Representative Farren, the bill’s sponsor, told colleagues the measure was the product of years of work and would expand parental choice. “The time for tuition tax credits has arrived. It is now. It is today,” he said during his opening presentation, urging members to support the plan.
Opponents focused on fiscal uncertainty and potential harm to public schools. Representative Cox warned that once enacted the credit would be difficult to reverse and could drain school funding: “If you put this into effect, you will not be able to reverse it,” he said,…
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