PROVO — Property taxes, illegal immigration and discussion on funding for Utah County projects took center stage at the weekly Eggs and Issues breakfast early Saturday morning.

"Property taxes is one of the key issues we have been spending a lot of time on," John Dougall, R-American Fork, said.

Dougall explained a bill he is sponsoring that will shift funding for schools from property taxes to revenue from sales taxes.

"In Utah everybody hates taxes, but they seem to hate the sales taxes less," Dougall said.

A recent study presented to lawmakers showed sales taxes and property taxes are comparably volatile, which may mean sales-tax revenue is stable enough to support Utah school districts. The bill allows homeowners and landowners to get a tax break, while addressing the ever-present worry of how to fund schools. Legislators will see a variety of tax bills, but many agree "if there is going to be tax relief it is going to be property taxes," Chris Herrod, R-Provo, said.

Illegal immigration was another hot topic, similar to last week's discussion.

As the conversation turned to illegal immigrants and the justice system, Herrod said he didn't know if Utahns and the Legislature "understand the magnitude of the problems." Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials met with lawmakers last week and reported that each month Salt Lake ICE officials deport 200 aggravated violent offenders who are illegal immigrants.

This is only one aspect of illegal immigration amid a myriad of facets impacting illegal immigrants, citizens, businessmen and educators that legislators face.

"If we don't do anything (about illegal immigration) there will be unintended consequences, if we do something there will be unintended consequences" said Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo.

Immigration is an extremely complex issue that Bramble suggests can be broken down into three issues: securing the borders, creating a legitimate guest worker program and dealing with illegal immigrants who are already in Utah. Many of these issues must be dealt with at the federal level, but meanwhile state lawmakers are taking action.

Last week a bill to revoke the driving privilege card was passed. The card was never meant to be used as an identification card, but to allow illegal immigrants to qualify for insurance.

Bramble also mentioned Utah County projects that will be presented to the Legislature for funding. Provo will ask for $1.25 million for a airport radar, Utah County businessmen are pushing for funds for the proposed children's museum and Utah Valley State College is asking for $2 million to complete the transformation into a university. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, also spoke about putting money into projects that focus on freeing up congested areas of I-15 by adding a lane or improving an off ramp.

Legislatures discussed health-care proposals, the uni-rail project in Utah County and taxing items bought off the Internet. Lockhart said while this week was mainly committee meetings, things should pick up in the coming weeks because "there is a record amount of bills this year."

The Eggs and Issues breakfast sponsored by the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce and Intermountain Healthcare is held each Saturday of the legislative session at 7:30 a.m. in the northwest plaza of the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

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E-mail: lriddle@desnews.com