School tax equalization bill dies

A bill failed in committee on Wednesday that would have allowed for statewide equalization of property taxes headed to school districts.

HB199, which is almost an exact copy of a similar bill from the 2008 session, had been stalled in the committee process for more than a week.

If passed, it would have taken funds from the coffers of some wealthy districts and given the money to poorer ones.

Opponents said now is the wrong time to implement such a measure and that equalization should take place with new taxes rather than raiding existing funds.

"I think its untenable," said Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper. "I don't know how we raise taxes on anyone right now."

Equalization proponents, including the Utah Taxpayers' Association, say education should be funded fairly for all children and that if the legislature keeps delaying this issue, nothing will ever get done.