Utah lawmakers again deflect $14M request to replace state-owned airplanes as they question the need

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Two passenger airplanes operated by the state of Utah in a Salt Lake City hanger, Jan. 31, 2019. At left is a King Air C90B and at right is a Super King Air B200.Lawmakers again grounded an attempt to spend about $14 million to replace the two aging state-owned airplanes that are used to shuttle government officials around Utah, saying they first want more data to show whether the spending is wise.

Gov. Gary Herbert — who sometimes uses those planes to fly himself and visiting dignitaries around the state — had requested $12.5 million for that earlier this year, plus he counted on some additional money from selling them off to raise the total needed.…