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Senate pauses bill to require voter approval before using sales-tax increment for light rail amid federal funding warnings
Summary
Senate Bill 44, which would require county voter approval before using sales-tax increment for UTA light-rail expansion, drew extended debate about federal ISTEA/air-quality credits and potential impacts on I‑15 funding; sponsors agreed to pause the measure for further work.
Senators debated Senate Bill 44 on Feb. 16, 1995, a measure by Sen. Steven Reese that would require voter approval before counties use a sales‑tax increment to finance Utah Transit Authority light‑rail projects. Reese said the bill is designed to give voters a direct say over large local financing decisions tied to sales‑tax increments for transit expansion, arguing: "We're talking, session to save $90,000,000."
The bill’s opponents warned it could jeopardize federal funding and environmental compliance. Sen. Petersen cautioned that removing light rail from the state’s planning could cost the…
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