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The Utah Senate gave its final approval Wednesday to a bill to raise revenue for poorer school districts by increasing the state portion of property taxes by $75 million.
Passed on a 20-9 vote, SB97 (third substitute) now moves to the House. A final vote is not expected there until closer to the end of the legislative session when most crucial budget decisions are made.
Among supporters of the measure was Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, which opposes it.
Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan, is the sponsor of the bill. He said additional revenue raised under the plan would largely benefit school districts with lower property values, which tend to generate less revenue per student despite placing a disproportionately high tax burden on residents.