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Senate rejects SB239 fuel-tax increase after heated debate
Summary
First substitute SB239 (Motor and Special Fuel Tax Amendments) failed on a third-reading floor vote after debate over timing and economic impact. Sponsors described phased increases and maintenance needs; the final vote was 8–19 (fail).
The Utah Senate debated and then rejected first substitute Senate Bill 239, a proposal to raise motor and special fuel taxes to fund highway maintenance and state parks.
Senator Van Tassel, sponsor and Transportation Committee chair, argued the state has underfunded maintenance and that phased increases (an initial $0.05 per gallon, with additional increases planned in later years) would protect pavement condition and save money over time. He presented modeling and said the $0.05 increment would cost an average driver roughly $20 a year if driving 10,000 miles.
Senator Romero proposed a friendly amendment to delay the bill’s effective date by one year (suggested 07/01/2012) to ease short-term economic pressures; the sponsor supported the delay and the amendment was adopted. Senators voiced sharp differences about timing: some argued the increase is necessary to avoid larger costs later, while others said recent spikes in gasoline prices make the timing wrong.
On the final roll call, the bill failed to pass: 8 yea votes, 19 nay votes and 2 absent, and will not advance.
