House bill seeks to add funds to transportation

A bill that would dedicate a percentage of sales tax each year to transportation passed unanimously out of a House committee Friday.

HB112 would add about $60 million in new dollars to transportation in FY07 and another $70 million in FY08. Sponsoring Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, said the bill is one small step toward solving a $16.5 billion deficit for transportation projects over the next 25 years.

Susan Kuziak with the Utah Education Association was the only person who spoke against the bill on Friday. Kuziak — whose comments did not reflect an official UEA position — said earmarking funds to transportation means other programs will suffer in lean years.

Representatives from the State Office of Education had no official position on the bill but said it could have a potential impact on public education.

Last year, a similar bill run by Lockhart failed to get a vote in the Senate after some last-minute political maneuvering. Lockhart says she has much better support this year for the bill. It will now go to the full House for a vote.