From 2017 through FY25, the Utah Legislature appropriated $393.7 million for transportation improvements in the Cottonwood Canyons. The majority came from increased taxes on food and fuel purchases.
By 2031, enough tax dollars will reside in the Canyon Fund (CCTIF) to issue a revenue bond to begin the final construction of the gondola.
Utah legislators have been quietly paving the way for a gondola by creating a special transportation fund that is partially funded through sales and use taxes and removing other barriers through legislation. At the current rate of funding, a gondola is a possibility sooner than Utahns think.
Senator Wayne Neiderhauser shifts $66M to Cottonwood Canyons (CC)
CCTransportation Infrastructure IFund created and funded with sales tax
A standing committee responsible for reviewing and deliberating on legislation related to the state’s transportation systems and infrastructure. The committee evaluates proposed bills, amendments, and policies, making recommendations to the full Senate regarding their adoption or rejection.
Profession – Businessman
Education – B.A., Business Finance, University of Utah
Education – Masters of Human Resource Mgmt (Keller Graduate School of Management), Bachelor Degree in Anthropology (BYU)
Profession – Businessman
Professional Affiliations – Southern Utah Trucking Association (past president); Utah Trucking Association (past president); Dixie ATC (director and past chair); Utah College of Applied Technology (past chair);
Profession – Associate Professor
Professional Affiliations – OCA, Asian Pacific American Advocates – Utah Chapter past chairperson; Rocky Mountain Psychological Association
Profession – Higher Education
Education – B.S., University of TN; M.S., Texas State; Ed.D., Education Admin., BYU
The committee’s decisions significantly influence Utah’s transportation policies and infrastructure spending.
Profession – Instructional Designer/Consultant
Education – BS Psychology (BYU); MEd Counseling Psychology (BYU); PhD Instructional Technology (USU)
Profession – Business Owner
Professional Affiliations – District 3, Murray City Councilmember; Murray City Redevelopment Agency, Chair; Murray City Council Budget, Committee Chair
Profession – Consumer Protection Advocate
Education – Masters Degree, English, BYU
Profession – Small business owner
Professional Affiliations – Senior Legislative Aide to the Republican majority, Ohio House of Representatives
Profession – Economist
Professional Affiliations – Boy Scouts of America, former assistant Council Commissioner; Boy Scouts of America, former Council Officer and Executive Board member
Profession – Attorney
Professional Affiliations – Sandy Chamber of Commerce, West Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Sandy Rotary Club, Sandy Honorary Colonels Association
Profession – Office Manager
Professional Affiliations – Mentor – Big Brothers Big Sisters Utah; Founding Board Member, Director of Events – The Single Parent Project 501(c)3; Volunteer, foster – Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation
Profession – Civil Engineer, Horrocks Engineers
Professional Affiliations – American Society of Civil Engineers
Profession – Program Manager
Professional Affiliations – Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, former vice chair; Salt Lake Democratic Party
I will join Sandy residents in opposing the LCC Gondola project, protecting the Wasatch Mountains' beauty and resources from overdevelopment. I will advocate for alternative transportation solutions that are more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and respectful of property rights. ~ Clint Okerlund, District 42
Since 2017 the Utah legislature, prompted by former Senator Wayne Niederhauser (who has ties to the gondola developers) has slowly been establishing a funding path for the gondola through vehicles such as the Cottonwood Canyon Transportation Investment Fund (CCTIF)* and Corridor Preservation Fund and by raising sales and use taxes that fund “transportation”. We continue to monitor this funding and related legislation because the way to defeat the gondola is to NOT fund it.
*The Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund is a financial mechanism established by the state of Utah to support transportation projects specifically within the Cottonwood Canyons of Salt Lake County. Its primary purpose is to finance maintenance, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of state and federal highways in these areas. A portion of the state and local sales and use tax is allocated to the fund.
Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit coalition of Utahns fighting against a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon to preserve its unique beauty and ecosystem. Website paid for by Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon EIN 87-2681343.
