It was the first time in 20 years the two metropolitan planning organizations have met - symbolizing an aggressive effort to obtain funding from the Legislature, said Chuck Chappell, director of the regional council.

"This is unique," he said. "It symbolizes a cooperation between Mountainland and the Wasatch Front Regional Council that hasn't happened at this level before."

Keys to the taxing recommendation are an increase in the statewide gas tax by 5 cents a gallon, adjustment of the gas tax for inflation, equalization of the Utah Transit Authority's sales tax apportionment and the reallocation of sales tax from auto-related sales toward transportation.

Today, along with the Chamber of Commerce and the League of Cities and Towns, the Regional Council and Mountainland will present the plan to the Legislative Transportation Task Force.

Lawmakers then will choose to accept the whole plan or recommend portions to the Legislative Transportation and Planning Committee.

Both of the boards for Mountainland and the Regional Council comprise locally elected officials from Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties.

The Transportation Task Force meeting will be at 9 a.m. in Room W135 (House Building) at the Capitol. The public is invited to comment.