| Show Legislatures leery of session Vernal's state legislative representatives representatives view a massive public works pro pro- proposal proposal with caution as a special session of the 1983 Utah legislature draws near Governor Scott M Matheson's pro pro- proposal proposal for a three part million bond package to include highways water pro pro- projects projects and public buildings drew lukewarm response from Republican legislative leaders earlier this month Vernal Republican Glade M said most of the member 27 senate received a briefing on the proposal with indications that the body is split about 50 on taking up the matter in a special December session A different situation prevails in the state House of Representatives accor- accor according according ding to Rep Gayle F McKeachnie a Vernal Republican Most of the house members know little about the Gover- Gover Governor's Governor's nors nor's proposal he said including himself The Republican dominated ted legislature may find it a better idea to distribute any construction funds through a normal budget process in which committees examine budget pro pro- proposals proposals in detail McKeachnie said The special session of the legislature starts Dec 15 Gov Matheson signed the pr proclamation Wednesday Both legislators said they like the transportation part of the bond proposal because It would involve issuance of bonds In anticipation of Federal Highway Administration funds coming to Utah Sen believes the proposed White River Dam project southeast of Vernal could become a viable project for forthe forthe the bond issue He noted that anyone any one of the parts to the public works bill could get approval on its own The bond market is excellent right now said Sen Getting our hand in might help us greatly He noted however that Utah is one of a handful of states that have impeccable bond ratings a factor to consider in Issuing ad ad- ad additional bonds The Governor has argued that interest rate changes between now and the start of the regular Jan 10 session could make a difference in cost Rep McKeachnie acknowledges that point but said that may be insufficient reason for the state to sell bonds Its going to cost the state about 6 million more to do It sell bonds after the first of the the year said Rep McKeachnie But that's like saying you go out and buy 40 pairs of shoes because they're on sale Do you really need I r a w n as r rt PY M Mk t k MASKED AND g AND goggled g state road worker k c cuts ts 40 at West to replace overhead wires for traffic lights underground 1 them It He said the cost of issuing bonds would increase by about 6 million because of ofa ofa a new federal law requiring registration of the bonds But there is no telling what wha t interest rates will be he added Rates could drop further Tell me what the in- in interest terest will be In January February or March As we CHouse members discussed It there were questions Rep McKeachnie said This is a way to make an run end around the regular budget process If it the bond proposal doesn't go through committees you d dont don't nt work out the details of how to pay for it It would cost about 20 million to service the bonds That money has to come from someplace he added Though not saying the White River Dam project is an end In itself with regard to the bond proposal Sen stressed the importance of the project in terms of the possibility of los los los- losing ing water rights on the White River What Im I'm concerned about is that Col- Col Colorado Colorado orado and some of these other states put put- putting ting the water to beneficial use he said The White River Dam is of great con con- concern cern to me Sen added We funded that two years ago He referred to a bonding program approved by the 1980 legislature and expressed concern that that funds identified for the dam project might be diverted Sen said he is well aware of the states state's transportation and water pro pro- project project needs as as chairman of the legislatures legislature's interim transportation com com- committee committee and as a member of the interim natural resources and energy committee along with Rep McKeachnie The senator expressed skepticism about the part of the bond proposal deal deal- dealing ing with buildings He referred to the state Building Boards Board's priority list as a Christmas tree list that includes such things as a major project for every in in- in institution of higher learning That scares me he said Rep McKeachnie believes House members may have a better feel for the transportation part of the proposal because the idea has been studied before of issuing bonds in anticipation of federal highway funds Gov Matheson's ribbon blue task force on water projects of which Rep McKeachnie is a member has never really discussed the proposal to issue more bonds for water projects he said Maybe its it's prohibitive unless we spend three or four days getting educated he added Rep McKeachnie said he Is hesitant on all but transportation because the issues of water projects and state buildings have undergone little discussion He believes funds for the White River Dam are intact If I were convinced that we had to do it Id I'd have a tough time voting against the bonding Im I'm convinced convinced ed the state is committed to the White WhiteRiver WhiteRiver River Dam We can do it for 20 million we dont don't need million The White WhiteRiver WhiteRiver River Dam has been on the top of oC the priority list for Cor two 25 million bond issues Rep McKeachnie said |
