Legislature has closed window on voice of reason

A secret operative — whose name shall remain nameless — planted a bug at a meeting of the Utah Tax Reform Task Force . . . a fly on the wall, literally.

(Most observers agree that Utah's tax system is broken. The Task Force is supposed to recommend changes by November.)

Here's what the wired fly recorded:

Legislator No. 1: "The meeting will come to order. You'll find soft drinks and doughnuts on the goodies table. Thanks to the soft drink lobbyists who supplied them."

Legislator No. 2: "We all know Utah taxes are too high. Especially business taxes."

Legislator No. 3: "Right. I'm a businessman. I can't afford more taxes. Now, let's hurry along. I have a golf date in Palm Springs this weekend."

Legislator No. 4: "Taxes bad."

Token woman legislator: "But we should look at all taxes. We need broad-based tax policies to provide for our schools and our highways and other government services."

Legislator No. 3 (to token woman): "My, that's a nice pin you're wearing. I'd like to get one for my wife. Where did you find it?"

Professor of tax statistics: "She's right. Taxes in Utah are not well balanced. We put a heavy burden on wage earners. Sales taxes are not uniform. Property taxes are not well administered. City and county revenues are not keeping up with service needs."

Legislator No. 1: "Hold on, there. Don't mess with my county. My people will take care of themselves."

Legislator No. 5: "But we gave half a billion to highways to move people through the counties. We should help cities and counties maintain roads and support local business."

Learned economist: "Right. The key is business development. If we lower business taxes, we'll attract new businesses."

Voice of reason (through an open window): "No well-managed business ever made a location decision based on taxes."

Legislator No. 2: "Close the window. There's a draft in here."

Legislator No. 4: "Taxes bad."

Governor's spokesman: "We want to concentrate on business-friendly tax policies. We know most business growth will occur along the Wasatch Front, but it'll help everyone. It's the old trickle down effect."

Legislator No. 1 (under his breath): "Trickle is fickle."

Token Demo: "If you ask me . . . "

Chorus: "We didn't."

Utah's taxpaying citizens: Knock, knock.

Legislator No. 1 (quietly): "Who's at the door?"

Legislator No. 2: "Them."

Legislator No. 1: "Ignore them. We know what's best for Utah."

Voice of reason: "What's best for everyone is a strong state commitment to education."