Councilman Dave Buhler, a mayoral candidate who is pushing the resolution, expects the nonbinding measure to pass unanimously tonight.

It then would get delivered to the Legislature in time for Wednesday's special session.

"I'm hoping they will amend it or take a second look," Buhler said Monday. "It's like paying alimony for your next-door neighbor because you have more money than they do."

According to the state's Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the Salt Lake City School District stands to lose $11.3 million per year.

To make up the gap, officials could be forced to hike taxes by nearly $90 a year on a $250,000 home.

"It hurts Salt Lake City schoolchildren and its taxpayers," Buhler added. "We hope that people in the Legislature will realize there's another side of the story here."

Buhler, who says he has "no illusions" that the city will influence the Legislature, argues it is important, nonetheless, to speak out.

He also snapped a sharp jab at Mayor Rocky Anderson, suggesting such fiscal threats occur when there is a leadership vacuum at City Hall.

Anderson is in Santa Barbara, Calif., to pepper the impeachment drum against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney with a multimedia presentation.

djensen@sltrib.com