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Show League of Women Voters of Salt Lake September 27, 1989 OLYMPICS 1998 On November 7, all Utah voters will have the opportunity to decide whether Utah should continue its efforts to host the Olympic Winter Games in 1998 or 2002. On September 19, 1989, the Utah legislature approved the following referendum for the November 7 ballot. The referendum is non-binding, but supporters have stated that "no means no" and they will abide by election results. In June 1989, the United States Olympic Committee selected Salt L Lake City as the United States city to bid for the International Winter Olympics in 1998 and'' 2002. I ' I The United States Olympic Committee's selection of Salt Lake City 2. as the United States' bid city for the 1998 and 2002 International Winter Olympic Games is contingent upon the construction of certain Olympics facilities before the International Olympic Committee awards the bid for those Winter Olympic Games. In order to construct those facilities, the Legislature has dedicated 3. 1/32nd of 1 cent from the existing sales tax rates to build certain Olympic facilities, incl~ding bobsled and luge runs, a speed skating oval and ski jumps. It is the intent of the Salt Lake Winter Games Organizing 4. Committee to completely repay the state for monies expended by the state if revenues generated by the Olympic Games are adequate. I The Salt Lake Winter Games Organizing Committee and Salt Lake 5. City have agreed that no events connected with the 1998 or 2002 International Olympic Games will be held in Big Cottonwood Canyon or in Little Cottonwood Canyon because of environmental concerns. Based upon the items listed above, the Legislature and the 6. Governor have affirmed their commitment to Utah's hosting of the Winter Games and hereby submit to the voters of Utah for their opinion the following question: SHOULD UTAH CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO HOST THE YES WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES? NO The legislature approved this wording, characterized by Representative Nolan Karras as a "neutralized" compromise between enthusiastic supporters and those who have expressed concern about such issues as environmental impacts, longterm economic advantages and disadvantages, and the question of whether the public or private sector should finance the Olympics. It may be helpful to voters to expand on each section of the ballot proposal with some background: |
