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Utah Senate Approves Light-Rail Measure After Heated Floor Debate
Summary
After extended floor debate about regional priorities and federal links to highway funding, the Utah Senate approved Senate Bill 44 (light rail) on third reading by a narrow roll-call margin. Lawmakers cited West Side transit gaps and concerns about costs and timing for I‑15 mitigation.
The Utah Senate approved Senate Bill 44, a proposal tied to light-rail planning and federal highway funding, on third reading Friday after an extended floor exchange and a roll-call vote.
Senator Maine, who declared a conflict of interest because his wife serves on the Utah Transit Authority board, said he would support the bill "for the people of the West Side of Salt Lake County," citing long waits and limited bus circulation on the West Side and arguing the region had been neglected by UTA managers. "Light rail may be the finest program ... but the way that they have managed this company ... makes me wonder," Maine said on the floor.
Opponents and skeptical colleagues pressed colleagues on project costs, timing and the link between light rail and required highway projects on I‑15. Senator Buehler said he was not a fan of light rail but supported moving the bill to third reading so that questions could be answered before final passage. Several senators said they wanted congressional input and clarity about Clean Air Act implications before third reading.
The Senate called the question and read SB44 for the third time. The presiding officer announced the result as 15 aye votes and 14 nay votes; the bill passed to the bottom of the third-reading calendar.
The vote advances the measure within the Senate process; sponsors and opponents signaled they expect further scrutiny of federal links, timing and financing before final enactment. The Senate proceeded to other bills and committee reports after the vote.
