From Deseret News archives:
2 tax-cut bills advance to House floor
HB123, approved by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday, would cut state income taxes by $102 million and trim state sales taxes on food by $176 million. It would be a $279 million tax cut from ongoing funds this year. "This continues the tax reform started last year," said the sponsor, Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland.
The committee also advanced HB282, sponsored by Rep. Merylynn Newbold, R-South Jordan, which would create a single sales tax rate of 4 percent for food purchases statewide by removing the sales tax for food from transit taxes and other locally assessed so-called "boutique" taxes.
All Republicans on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted to advance Dougall's bill. Democrats voted against it, saying it was too early in the session to adopt such a large tax-cutting bill. Newbold's bill, however, picked up some Democratic support.
But if HB123 passes the House, it isn't expected to get very far in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said any tax-cutting bills coming from the House will be held until an agreement is reached between House and Senate GOP leadership.
But HB282 could be a different story. Senate Republicans decided in a closed-door caucus Saturday that they'd be willing to consider establishing a single sales tax rate statewide for food purchases.
Still, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said Monday there are concerns about making up the estimated $20 million in taxes that would no longer be collected under Newbold's bill.
Newbold's bill would only reimburse local governments for about $400,000 in rural hospital taxes and allow a slight increase in the resort communities tax to help offset the losses. Valentine said the Senate would want to look at doing something similar for other taxes.
Much of the discussion in Monday's hearing on the tax bills centered on Dougall's more sweeping proposal. Public education officials and low-income advocates spoke against the measure, even though it would eliminate the state's share of sales tax on food.
Comments
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week 11:03 a.m.
- Weiss new Tour of Utah director 10:54 a.m.
- Moguls skier Jeremy Bloom retires 10:51 a.m.
- Police probe synagogue vandalism 10:44 a.m.
- O'Connor's husband dies 10:36 a.m.
- Russia launches program for tigers 10:35 a.m.
- Veterans Day in Afghanistan 10:34 a.m.
- Drug industry presses FDA 10:31 a.m.
- Obama honors veterans 10:29 a.m.
- New dinosaur species found 10:21 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- 4 Jazz players make All-Star ballot
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- House passes health care bill
268 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Senators want food tax restored
156 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
106 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
105 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
98
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
Discrimination is something we all do (and should do) every day. When we go...
is genius. And the many of the poster hereon, provides the explanation. A...
To Anonymous @7:15 a.m., If you want to be free to rent your property only to...
And how is the Constitution to grow? I think the framers thought it would be...
If demand is there then what's the problem? If the state offers early...
Who cares, just want to see the big boys play, not the little leagues. You...
JD is "that good" or they wouldn't be in the game. I assume Wasatch is also...
sounds like a great recruit, Now let's see what BYU will do with him, I'll...
Read the article. What does BYU's year of mediocrity have to do with...
This is ridiculous. Why are we rehiring people into their same positions...




You can be the first to comment on this story.