Credit for mass transit use fails

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill offering an income tax credit for people using mass transit has been voted down in a House committee.

The bill, HB 138, was touted as an effort to clean up the air by Rep. Marie Poulsen, D-Salt Lake City. The measure lost 7-5. The tax credit would have been available to people who spent at least $450 a year on mass transit costs.

Rep. Jacob Anderegg, R-Orem, said he could see no evidence the bill would increase ridership on mass transit.

“This is just a handout I don’t believe will reduce air quality one bit.”