The chamber cites studies projecting that Utah's roadways face a tripling of congestion by 2030 if nothing is done, and a recent Deseret Morning News poll showing that about 68 percent of residents in the four counties would definitely or probably vote for the chamber's proposed sales tax increase. About 28 percent said they would not approve the measure.

"Our interest has been in a regional transit network, and the best way to fund a regional transit network is for a uniform rate," Gochnour said.

Norquist said there are other options.

"We'd like to see them promote tax reductions, spending restraint, contracting out, privatization, congestion pricing on roads," he said. "There are any number of things you can do, and lots of things to work on. This is a chamber that spent zero time and effort looking to make the city and state budget more effective."

Gochnour said the chamber's proposal came after considering many options and hearing much input.

"And I'd argue that business leaders here understand business issues here better than people outside of our economy," she said.

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com