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Senate approves resolution urging U.S. balanced‑budget amendment after floor amendment
Summary
The Utah Senate passed SCR 201, a concurrent resolution signaling support for a U.S. balanced‑budget amendment and adding language to prevent use of penalties or fines as revenue substitutes; it passed 24–1 and will be forwarded to the House.
The Utah Senate on the second special-session day approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 201, a measure urging support for a constitutional balanced‑budget amendment at the federal level, after adopting a friendly amendment to the resolution’s wording.
Senator Stephen Reid (presenting sponsor) explained the resolution was intended as a pre‑ratification signal to other states and to Congress. "We are purposely trying to send a message to Congress that we are prepared to ratify" a balanced‑budget amendment that contains the elements described in the resolution, Reid said, adding concerns about national debt drove the initiative.
Senator Dayton proposed adding the words "or from penalties or fines" in two places to make explicit that penalties or fines should not be used in lieu of taxes to meet revenue tests; Reid said he had cleared the wording with Senator Lee's office and accepted the change as friendly.
Floor debate included supporters who said the resolution signals fiscal discipline and opponents who cautioned against embedding a fixed 18% of GDP cap in the U.S. Constitution. Senator Robles, explaining a no vote, said he supported balanced budgets in principle but could not support the 18% cap because of potential impacts on social safety‑net programs.
The Senate adopted the amendment and passed the resolution by roll call, 24 yea, 1 nay, 4 absent. SCR 201 will be forwarded to the House for its consideration.
