Why do so many Utah voters want to raise taxes?

<p dir=”ltr”><span>On Monday, June 22, the</span> <a href=”http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865631167/Time-to-consider-local-tax-increases-to-enhance-transportation-infrastructure.html?pg=all”><span>Deseret News</span></a> <span>called for a tax hike in Utah to fund transportation and infrastructure projects, such as mass transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian trails. The editorial coincides with a string of high-profile pedestrian injuries in and around Salt Lake City. In Taylorsville, an 11-year-old boy was left in critical condition after being struck by a car, and this week</span> <a href=”http://www.sltrib.com/home/2656841-155/utah-police-identify-man-killed-in”><span>a Texas man was killed in Salt Lake City</span></a> <span>in an pedestrian-auto accident. In the U.S., experts say one pedestrian injury</span> <a href=”http://www.foryourjustice.com/blog/traffic-accidents-by-the-numbers-and-what-to-do-next.html”><span>occurs every seven minutes.</span></a></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>“By enhancing and preserving our local roads, active transportation and transit system, we’ll help to keep Utah one of the best places to work, to live and to play,” says David Golden, chairman of the Utah Transportation Coalition.</span></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>The Utah Legislature approved a measure this year that allows cities and counties to put a sales tax increase on the ballot to fund transportation repairs. In Salt Lake City, a sales tax increase of 0.25% could raise $50 million for transportation projects, while an estimated $150 million would be raised statewide.</span></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>Nationally, the House and Senate are in agreement over a rare piece of bi-partisan legislation to</span> <a href=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/bipartisan-senate-bill-would-fund-transportation-for-six-years/2015/06/23/75787240-1914-11e5-93b7-5eddc056ad8a_story.html”><span>increase highway spending over the next six years.</span></a> <span>The Senate is struggling to find money to fund the increase, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman and Utah Senator Orrin G. Hatch have pledged to find money to fund the increase by the end of July.</span></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>As for the state’s transportation system, a poll in April showed that 55% of Utah voters favored a tax increase to improve infrastructure. State lawmakers dodged the issue of raising taxes by allowing municipal voters to decide the issue for themselves.</span></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>The</span> <span>Deseret News</span> <span>writes, “a period of austerity forced by the 2008 recession has resulted in a backlog of repair work, and civic leaders are increasingly faced with mounting bills for deferred maintenance in many areas. As we enjoy a period of modest prosperity, it’s time to try and catch up on those projects.”</span></p><p dir=”ltr”><span>Lawmakers and transportation experts say roadway repairs and pedestrian paths will provide jobs and promote public safety.</span></p>

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