Hickman suggested that argument wasn't fair. "We're being treated as doing something that's dishonorable. That's not the case," he said. "We don't have our hands at the throat of public education because we might want to take care of a few special issues."

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, opposed the date change. "There are other tools that can be used to solve the kinds of things that are being talked about," he said, adding that RDAs are already taking about $100 million annually from schools and other taxing districts.

If local governments want to fund those development projects, said Stephenson, the head of the business-oriented Utah Taxpayers Association,"then let them levy directly on their own constituents rather than coming through the back door of RDAs."

Hickman's amendment was approved 18-11.

Mike Jerman, vice president for the Taxpayer's Association, unsuccessfully pushed for an indefinite extension of the moratorium last week. The fear, he said, is that legislators will let the year lapse without addressing retail RDA reform.

Though the date change will save some cities from the year moratorium, Murray and Salt Lake are still in danger of losing a major league soccer stadium proposal if RDA funds cannot be used for the arena.

Murray Mayor Dan Snarr said the Fireclay RDA at 4500 South and State Street will likely not be developed without RDA funds, and the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium is the best way to revive the run-down area.

"You create a law that says 'here's a blanket I'm going to throw over everything,' and you smother all the good that was occurring," Snarr said. "We're desirous to see this area come back to life and give back to our community instead of dragging down our community."

A second bill sponsored by Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork, remains on hold in the House. The measure would allow school districts and other taxing entities to opt out of an RDA and keep their property tax increment.

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Contributing: Doug Smeath

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com, estewart@desnews.com