Taxing Times
I am on the tax policy task force. Here are links to 2 divergent viewpoints on taxes and tax policy. As best as I can understand it, the Tribune argues the task force errs by concerning itself with the size and scope of state government; rather, the Trib argues we should focus on fairness and meeting outstanding needs, like education and transportation. (I don't mean to be unfair in this characterization; please correct me, if you read the editorial differently.) On the other hand, Gazelem states, "Part of the conservative mindset should be to limit government and to increase personal responsibility. Both of these can be done by reducing the tax burden."
The Tribune editorial states, "The knee-jerk talk of state tax cuts that reliably followed recent news of greater state budget surpluses . . . shows how much . . . the cause of limited government is already well-stated." Nah. Actions speak louder than words. The fact that Utah's overall tax burden remains so high suggests the "knee-jerk" could more accurately be called a "nervous tic." Or, it could be called a "50-week twitch," since any tax-cutting impulse usually goes away by late-February (around the sixth week of the session) and resurfaces in force just a few weeks later (when it's time to file for elections or report to constituents).
To improve the lives of Utahns and to improve the economy of our state, we need to reduce the tax burden. This is a solid economic strategy, and it reflects a philosophy shared by large numbers of taxpayers in this state. I find it revealing that the Tribune would narrowly deride the reasoned, fiscally-sound position as "knee-jerk talk."
The Tribune editorial states, "The knee-jerk talk of state tax cuts that reliably followed recent news of greater state budget surpluses . . . shows how much . . . the cause of limited government is already well-stated." Nah. Actions speak louder than words. The fact that Utah's overall tax burden remains so high suggests the "knee-jerk" could more accurately be called a "nervous tic." Or, it could be called a "50-week twitch," since any tax-cutting impulse usually goes away by late-February (around the sixth week of the session) and resurfaces in force just a few weeks later (when it's time to file for elections or report to constituents).
To improve the lives of Utahns and to improve the economy of our state, we need to reduce the tax burden. This is a solid economic strategy, and it reflects a philosophy shared by large numbers of taxpayers in this state. I find it revealing that the Tribune would narrowly deride the reasoned, fiscally-sound position as "knee-jerk talk."
posted by steve u. at 5/24/2005
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4 Comments:
Steve:
I really enjoy your comments and insights. You do a great job.
I know you are on the Tax Reform Task Force, but not on the RDA subcommittee of the Task Force. Still, I'd ask you to consider the value in having a tool something like RDAs. I agree the RDA law needs substantial revision and modification. It's a different world now than when the law was originally crafted. But that doesn't mean something like it would be very useful in the development of our communities.
See my blog at www.utahplannerscorner.blogspot.com for some discussion of RDAs.
In June of 2002, Bob Schulz publicly declared he has forever stopped paying income taxes or filing income tax returns, based solely on the content of this hearing and the government's refusal to answer the well documented legal charges that there is NO legal or constitutional basis for the federal income tax.
http://www.givemeliberty.org/
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It is great to see that we have a true conservative in the State Legislature. Too bad I don't live in your district so that I can vote for you.
R
Wilf, very nice blog. I appreciate the points you make. When all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail, doesn't it? Let's get together and discuss in more detail some of the other tools you think local jurisdictions should have.
Doug, there are many existing laws and policies I don't think are constitutionally sound; but once the court battles are over, don't you think we have a duty to follow the existing laws while we work within the system to change them? Courts, after all, are established by Article III to rule on disputes.
R, good to hear from you, and thanks for the kind thoughts. I am a big fan of your representative; when it comes to fiscal conservatism, he's a good egg. Many of his financial decisions have positioned us well for a tax cut this next session.
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