From Deseret News archives:
Utahns reject gas tax hike
Poll says only 13% would support increase next year
The survey was done by Dan Jones & Associates for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV. Only 13 percent of the respondents said they would support a gas-tax increase, although 19 percent said they would support an increase if the state income or sales taxes were reduced proportionally.
Another 29 percent of respondents said the gas tax should remain at its current 24.5 cents per gallon, while 36 percent said the tax should actually be lowered.
The statewide survey of 410 people was conducted May 21-24. The margin of error was 5 percent.
Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, said Tuesday that the results were not surprising, given high gas prices. During this year's legislative session, he also received negative comments about a possible gas-tax increase.
"That (poll) seems to be fairly reflective of the comments we were presented with during the session," Harper said. "I think it reflects the sentiment that people feel something should be done (with the gas tax), but they don't know what."
Surrounding states including Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming have lower gas taxes than Utah.
Harper said the goal of his bill was to get lawmakers talking about different ways to fund more than $20 billion in needed road projects, which are partly paid for through the gas tax.
Harper's bill was amended to increase the gas tax by 10 cents over a 10-year period, instead of the sales-tax option, but the bill ultimately did not come to a vote. The Utah Taxpayers Association and other groups hope to revive talks about a gas-tax increase, and lawmakers plan to discuss the issue during their July interim meetings.
Harper did not say whether he will sponsor his bill again.
During the Taxpayers Association's annual meeting earlier this month, the group called for a 25-cent hike in the gas tax, along with a proportional drop in the state income tax. The gas-tax hike could raise up to $350 million in funds and is part of a four-prong proposal to make transportation spending more efficient by encouraging people to carpool, live closer to work and telecommute, said Mike Jerman, the association's vice president.
Comments
- 16K complaints roll in at BBB 9:15 p.m.
- Longhorns beat Long Beach St. 9:15 p.m.
- Luncheon honors entrepreneurs 9:14 p.m.
- Dinner to salute minority start-ups 9:13 p.m.
- Ex-eBay CEO testifies 9:12 p.m.
- Fed chief pledges to hold rates low 9:11 p.m.
- Tips to make your pc keep on giving 9:10 p.m.
- Penny, Cardinals close to deal 9:09 p.m.
- Durant scores 28 against Warriors 9:02 p.m.
- Horcoff scores in shootout for Oilers 9:00 p.m.
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
278 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
258 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
202 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
191 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Cougars going back to Vegas
143 - Letters: Global warming a lie
137 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
131 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
99
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
Just like he did in the Utah game, right?
on yet another double-digit win regular season, on your second place finish...
Complaining about this matchup might make progress go backwards instead of...
@Sally in England: "But surely you as a Christian believe that God gave...
Glad to see some classy people on the post. Yes... Hate the Utes but, go...
But wait, RedShirt, it gets better! Singer, the founder of the SEPP, has...
Just an interesting fact, Rep. Joe Barton, is a graduate of Texas A&M, a...
@ Miles Just be patient little bro. Every dog has his day!!
13 listeners. There are 13 of us now. And thank you.
To the 8:20 commentator, I would in no way think most Latter-day Saints...



You can be the first to comment on this story.