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Salt Lake City (ABC4) — hours after Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith said: Potential new look for downtown Salt Lake Citya tax increase to fund sports and entertainment projects centered around the Jazz and NHL was approved, passed by the Utah Senate and passed by the House of Representatives.
Under this bill, up to .5% increase in consumption tax It was passed by the Senate late Tuesday night, Feb. 27, in the state capital. The vote was 21-7, with one person absent. All seven “votes” came from Republican senators.
Even if the bill passes the Utah Legislature in its entirety, the sales tax increase would still have to be approved by Salt Lake City leaders.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan McKay, said the bill is seen not just as an attempt to build an arena, but as an investment in Salt Lake City, its economy and Utah’s vibrant, amenity-rich urban core. He said he hopes so. . McKay pointed to Detroit, Michigan, as an example of a lack of investment in cities.
“Once celebrated as a vibrant hub under the name ‘Motown,’ it was declared bankrupt in 2013,” McKay said. “Without investment, urban centers will suffer due to the economic impact of devolution.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Smith, who said on social media that the effort is not about the arena, but about revitalizing a downtown that is in desperate need of investment. However, not everyone agrees.
Lehi resident Aaron Bullen said during the public comment period that there should be no “socialized costs for privatized profits.”
“I support it no matter who it is,” Bullen told a Senate committee. “Mr. Smith is so wealthy that I don’t think Salt Lake taxpayers or visitors to Salt Lake need to subsidize him.”
Greg Duardan, state chairman of the Independent American Party, also spoke out against the tax increase, saying sports and entertainment district projects that rely on taxes to fund them violate the Utah Constitution.
“We all enjoy sports, even if it’s an expensive ticket, but we don’t believe everyone should be taxed whether they attend a sporting event or not. ” Duardan said. “Therefore, I question the constitutionality of Senate Bill 272.”
similar bill Fund the redevelopment of the State Fair Park area, which includes the Major League Baseball team’s new ballpark. The original version of the bill would have increased hotel taxes and car rental taxes, but those two options have now been removed. Instead, the bill appears to authorize a 0.5% sales tax increase in the Fair Park area to help fund redevelopment projects.
The bill passed the House and reached the Senate floor by a vote of 51-21.
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