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Utah Senate passes final budget bill funding teacher raises, housing and water projects
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 3, the final appropriations bill of the session, approving a package that sponsors said funds teacher pay increases, housing and homelessness, water and transportation projects and debt reduction; the measure passed 25–0 and goes to the House.
Senator Stevenson, speaking as floor sponsor, urged the Senate to pass the session’s final budget measure, calling it “the bill of bills” and outlining major allocations and priorities. He told colleagues the bill balances revenues and funds priorities including teacher pay, infrastructure, housing and debt reduction.
The bill’s sponsor said the measure would add substantial resources to the current fiscal year and described a suite of policy and funding choices: increased WPU (weighted pupil unit) support for teachers, nearly a quarter-billion dollars for housing and homelessness, almost $500 million for water projects and more than $1.5 billion for transportation and infrastructure. “This bill appropriates the money for several big priorities, including debt reduction and an additional 2% increase in WPU value,” Stevenson said on the floor, summarizing the package.
Why it matters: Senate Bill 3 is the capstone of the session’s appropriations work. Sponsors said it both funds enactments from other bills passed this session and provides across-the-board investments in education, infrastructure and housing; passage sends the completed package to the House for its consideration.
Floor action and outcome: After the floor presentation there was no extended debate. Under suspension of the rules the Senate held a roll-call vote: the presiding officer announced that Senate Bill 3 received 25 yea votes, 0 nay votes, with four members absent, and the bill will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
What to watch next: Because this is the Senate’s final appropriations action, the next procedural step is the House’s consideration of the Senate-passed budget package and any conference work to resolve differences. Sponsors highlighted the bill’s adjustments to the WPU and the tax earmark language as contingent on later revenue and constitutional rules referenced during debate.
Ending: After the vote the Senate recessed for dinner and the chamber’s floor work for the evening concluded.
