Let's hope USTAR outshines cold fusion

With that kind of money, it can make sense "investing" some of it in public school computers — the state Office of Education says over five years every high school student could have his or her own laptop, books on CDs and so on.

Currently, say state education officials, most students have to "dumb down" when they leave home for school — they have access to so much more technology and information at home.

USTAR can be Utah's ticket to a whole new economic future, says Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank.

If only legislators can be forward looking, take some bold steps and spend a little (OK, a lot) of money to get these things rolling.

But legislators have a lot of demands on that cash.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and legislative leaders seem determined to have some kind of tax reform next year. While a number has not been placed to all of the reform alternatives, it could run into more than $200 million in tax cuts — since many of the proposals reduce, rather than raise, taxes.

Now add in the fact that all of the 75-member House and half of the 29-member Senate is up for re-election in 2006.

Most of those legislators are Republicans, few of whom admit to being moderates. Nearly all prefer the term "conservative."

What do conservative Republicans do when they've seen $800 million — 9 percent of the whole state budget — in tax revenue growth over two years?

If they don't cut taxes in some way, you can bet they will hear about it during their re-election campaigns.

Investment in the future is a great thing. And who wouldn't want every high schooler to have a laptop, CD books, access to an electronic world of knowledge?

USTAR sounds amazing — $5 billion in new tax revenues over 35 years, 123,000 new high-paying jobs, $62 billion in personal income growth.

In the 2006 Legislature we'll see how all the wishes come out against all the politics.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com