Walker opposes open space initiative

Walker also voiced concerns that the initiative may be unconstitutional because it requires the state to reimburse local governments for property tax revenue lost by buying private land for preservation. Such a requirement would not be consistent with a Utah constitutional provision exempting government-owned property from property tax.

Still, Walker stopped short of telling voters to reject the initiative.

"I'm not really telling anyone how to vote, but I'm asking them to study it," she said, calling the issue "a little painful for me because we are talking about an issue I have long been an advocate of, strongly supporting the environment."

The idea of establishing a fund to pay for open space, conservation, trails, and clean air and water is "a remarkable dream," Walker said, but one that should be achieved in a different way.

The Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll shows a majority of Utahns favor the initiative's method of raising sales taxes to pay for preserving open space. The poll, conducted last week by Dan Jones & Associates, reveals that if the election were held today, 65 percent of the 915 registered voters polled statewide would vote for Initiative 1.

Only 28 percent of those surveyed said they would vote against the ballot item.

Smith said the plan also has broad backing from city leaders, ranchers, farmers, environmentalists and hunting organizations. Gubernatorial candidates Jon Huntsman Jr. and Scott Matheson Jr. have also voiced support for Initiative 1.

But the bond also has found opponents in groups such as the Utah Farm Bureau and the Utah Taxpayers Association. The $30 million available for community projects has been one of the biggest sticking points for both groups.

Mike Jerman, vice president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, said he was not surprised by the governor's concerns about the initiative because he said it is a bad tax policy masquerading as a "feel-good initiative."

Both Initiative 1 sponsors and the Utah Taxpayers Association have launched publicity campaigns in the past week to spread their message.

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