3 college presidents back Proposition 3

Three college presidents have endorsed Proposition 3 in Salt Lake County, which would authorize a quarter-cent sales-tax hike for transportation improvements in the county.

In a news release sent Friday by the Exoro Group, a public relations and campaign management firm, University of Utah president Michael Young, Salt Lake Community College president Cynthia Bioteau and William Sederburg, president of Utah Valley State College, said they support the proposition and that it would benefit each of their institutions.

No specific road or transit projects have been identified to receive funding if the proposition is passed, but Salt Lake County mayors have said they want the tax money used to expand TRAX, build commuter rail and improve some local roads. The mayors and members of the Salt Lake County Council will decide which projects receive the money if the proposition is passed.

The presidents join a list of Proposition 3 supporters. Salt Lake County business leaders also support the measure.