House passes Mountain View Corridor funding bill after removing gas‑tax hike

Floor debate on House Bill 158 focused on transportation funding mechanics and a contentious proposed increase in the motor fuel tax. Representative Harper, sponsor of the amendments, said the substitute creates a Mountain View Corridor Fund, redirects certain Salt Lake County transportation revenues into that fund for right‑of‑way acquisition, and provides bonding mechanisms to accelerate corridor land acquisition.

A major point of contention was a provision in an earlier substitute that would have raised the motor fuel tax by 2¢ every other year for a total of 10¢. Opponents, including rural legislators and tax‑policy critics, argued the levy would disproportionately burden rural residents who drive longer distances. Representative Noel urged adoption of a version without the gas‑tax increase, citing the disproportionate impact on rural households and a recent $220 million tax cut enacted elsewhere in the session. Supporters of the original substitute, including Representative Becker, argued that gas taxes are a longstanding user fee for highways and noted it had been 20 years since an increase.

After extended debate, the House adopted a third substitute that preserves the Mountain View Corridor funding and flexibility for county use but removes the immediate gas‑tax increase. Representative Harper acknowledged the body’s will to avoid new taxes that day: "It's the will of the body that we don't raise taxes this year," he said. The third substitute passed the House 67–4 and will be transmitted to the Senate.

Ending: The passed third substitute advances near‑term corridor planning and right‑of‑way acquisition for Salt Lake County while deferring a decision on a broader motor‑fuel tax increase to future debate.