The Utah State University Institutional Council has followed the lead of other education groups and voted to oppose a ballot initiative that would eliminate sales taxes on food in Utah.
The resolution adopted unanimously by the council on Saturday states that it "does not believe critical state services that depend on this revenue can afford a reduction in support at this time."Council chairman Kenneth Anderton said eliminating the sales tax on food would cost the state about $113 million in revenue and that higher education would lose $31 million, including $8 million at USU.
The resolution states that "education enhances the quality of life, standard of living and chances for economic development in the state, and losing revenue would be devastating to Utah's already underfunded educational system."
While proponents contend that lost revenues could be made up in other ways, council member Jim Bingham said he would like to see alternative sources of funding in place or guaranteed before the food sales tax revenue is lost.
"I think we are at the point that if we start cutting higher education again, we will begin to cut muscle instead of fat," Bingham said.