This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A legislative committee chose not to act Wednesday morning on a proposal to reduce school property taxes by reinstating the full sales tax on food.

Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, has been working on a proposed bill that would raise $150 million for school construction needs by reinstating the full sales tax on food. School districts would then slash their property taxes by an equal amount. The idea would be to help spread school funding more evenly.

It could mean reductions in property tax ranging from $14 a year on a $250,000 home in Park City to $314 a year on a $250,000 home in the Tooele School District.

But the committee chose not to vote on the proposals after several speakers worried about how it would affect those in need. Some also worried that sales tax on food isn't as steady a source of revenue for schools as income and property taxes.

Adams said he might bring the proposal back in the future in "some form or another."