Rep. Doug Owens (D)

SB 194 (Utah Main Street Program)

Libertas Institute opposes this bill.

This bill creates a program to encourage and promote city main streets, with an option to redistribute funds allocated by the legislature to artificially help prop up businesses that are located in city main streets.

Libertas opposes this bill. While once popular, city main streets are a somewhat antiquated economic model in a modern market with online and delivery options. The government should not favor one market model over another, and let businesses survive or fall on their own merits.