61% favor transit funding

"We know that there has been significant public support for relieving transportation congestion, and all the poll does is remind us of that need," she said. "Would it be nice to have a list of projects and a benefit to us? Yes. But we'll move forward."

Groups that have opposed spending taxpayer dollars on transit projects had little reaction Tuesday to the Dan Jones poll. Mike Jerman, vice president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, said that his group will wait to see what projects are selected before coming out in support or against the proposition.

"We just want to make sure the dollars are spent in the most cost-effective manner," he said.

The next meeting of the Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee, which will approve the process for picking projects, is on Oct. 17. The committee has yet to set its agenda for the meeting.

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Contributing: Leigh Dethman

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com