Some of those who supported Amendment 3 haven't commented on the legislation, saying they'd have to study it to ensure it doesn't conflict with Amendment 3, and have questioned whether it's needed.

Financial institutions

The war between banks and credit unions is expected to reconvene this year under House Joint Resolution 1, "A Joint Resolution Related to Financial Institutions." The proposal affirms actions taken during the 2003 Legislature, creating a "non-exempt" class of credit union and asks the U.S. Congress to re-examine the rulings of the National Credit Union Administration and the tax structure for financial institutions.

It also asks Congress to "affirm the authority of states and local governments to determine whether federally chartered credit unions may be taxed the same as state chartered credit unions." Not surprisingly, credit union advocates are fiercely opposed to HJR 1 and have vowed to marshal their forces (and resources) to defeat it.

Cities and counties

How cities and counties spur economic development and boost their local revenues, especially with redevelopment areas, will be a primary focus for local officials this year. At least three bills concerning RDA rules are planned, two of which could significantly curtail the projects by prohibiting locally patronized retail and allowing school boards to opt out of a project. A separate bill, on the other hand, would actually increase RDA opportunities by allowing former gravel pit sites to qualify as "blighted" and for an RDA to be created around a transit stop without the required blight study.

Cities and counties will also be looking for other ways to improve safety and increase revenue through such efforts as the repeal of a law prohibiting the use of a photo radar, which city leaders such as Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson are hoping to use to capture drivers who run red lights and speed. There may also be bills dealing with bicycle safety, allowing a service fee for the payment of fines and local taxes with a debit card, and an attempt to give police departments the ability to create a special district for their services.

---

Contributing: Joe Bauman, Amy Joi Bryson, Deborah Bulkeley, Geoffrey Fattah, Josh Loftin, Jennifer Toomer-Cook, Brady Snyder, Erin Stewart, Nicole Warburton