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Senate approves fee increases to fund new court complex after lengthy debate over bonds
Summary
After extended floor debate over financing options, the Utah Senate passed First Substitute Senate Bill 48 adjusting court filing fees to help finance a new court complex; supporters said fees and timing avoid higher long-term costs, opponents warned about equity and questioned accounting for restricted funds.
The Utah State Senate voted to pass First Substitute Senate Bill 48 on Jan. 27, 1995, approving adjusted court filing fees legislators say are needed to finance a new state court complex.
Senator Steven Reese, sponsor of the fee bill, summarized competing financing scenarios and urged senators to consider timing and cost when deciding whether to delay the measure. ‘‘If we use the 20-year revenue bond option ... the principal payments would be $132,000,000 that would be paid if we approve the bill as it's being presented to us now,’’ Reese said while comparing alternatives for general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. He warned that delaying construction could increase costs through inflation and lost savings, and he argued that user fees would cover a large share of the complex's cost.
Opponents pressed for more time to examine the bond structures and the bill's language that directs fee revenues into a restricted account. Senator McAllister urged the…
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