This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Recently, I have seen billboards and signs around Salt Lake County regarding Proposition 1, a quarter-cent sales tax hike aimed to pay for roads, transportation projects, and mass transit.

Proponents argue that the cost will only be around $40 annually for the average citizen, but that is not the point. What proponents fail to mention is that multiple tax increases have already gone into effect this year to pay for roads, transportation projects, and mass transit.

First, the so-called conservative State Legislature already increased the gas tax earlier this year by 5 cents per gallon, with further increases already slated for the future. This tax is a dedicated tax strictly for the purpose of transportation projects. Additionally, Salt Lake City residents saw their property taxes increase this year. A sizable portion of this money goes to the Utah Transit Authority, also for transportation projects, and we are all aware of the UTA's history of poor execution and poor management. The question is, when is enough enough? How many different taxes do we need to increase to fund transportation projects?

With many residents of Salt Lake County still suffering the effects of the Great Recession, coupled with stagnant wages, and a heavier tax burden, now is not the time to increase the taxes of county residents. Please join me in voting no for Proposition 1.

D. Harrison Roe

Salt Lake City