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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution directs the lieutenant governor to present an opinion question to
11 the legal voters of the state to determine whether the voters support an increase in
12 motor and special fuel tax rates for public education and local roads.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ pursuant to Title 36, Chapter 16b, Nonbinding Statewide Public Opinion Questions,
16 directs the lieutenant governor to present an opinion question to the legal voters of
17 the state to determine whether the voters support an increase in the motor and
18 special fuel tax rates by an equivalent of 10 cents per gallon for public education
19 and local roads;
20 ▸ directs the lieutenant governor to submit the opinion question on the ballot for the
21 2018 regular general election; and
22 ▸ if the opinion question is approved by voters, requests that the governor call the
23 Legislature into special session to increase the motor and special fuel tax rates.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
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27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 WHEREAS, public education is frequently listed as the top concern of Utah residents;
29 WHEREAS, a high-quality education is exceedingly necessary to achieve personal and
30 statewide prosperity;
31 WHEREAS, additional investments in education will provide greater learning
32 opportunities for Utah students to succeed;
33 WHEREAS, improving Utah's workforce will stimulate greater economic development
34 and growth;
35 WHEREAS, funding at the school level allows for local control, community
36 engagement, and direct investment in the students of each school;
37 WHEREAS, approximately $600 million is taken from the state's General Fund to
38 subsidize the Transportation Fund each year;
39 WHEREAS, additional transportation-sourced funding is needed for the Transportation
40 Fund to better sustain itself;
41 WHEREAS, if the state's Transportation Fund is more self-sustaining, more resources
42 in the General Fund will be available for use by the state public education system;
43 WHEREAS, increasing the motor and special fuel tax will generate substantial revenue
44 for the Transportation Fund and reduce the subsidy from the General Fund; and
45 WHEREAS, Section 36-16b-202 provides a process for the Legislature to submit a
46 nonbinding opinion question to the legal voters of Utah in a regular general election:
47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
48 directs the lieutenant governor to submit the following nonbinding opinion question to the legal
49 voters of Utah at the 2018 regular general election, to be held on November 6, 2018:
50 "To provide additional funding for public education and local roads, should the state
51 increase the motor and special fuel tax rates by an equivalent of 10 cents per gallon?".
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the lieutenant
53 governor, who is hereby directed, in accordance with this resolution and Title 36, Chapter 16b,
54 Nonbinding Statewide Public Opinion Questions, to submit the language of the foregoing
55 opinion question at the 2018 regular general election, to be held on November 6, 2018, to the
56 legal voters of the state for their approval.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel