Don't neglect state's needs

Despite all the tax-cut and reform ideas flying through the air, Utah's speaker of the House says he doesn't think a compromise can be reached before the November elections, in which all the House and half the Senate seats will be up for grabs.

That's a good thing. With the election out of the way, even a lame-duck Legislature would be better able to make clear-eyed decisions. When it comes to tax policies, the desire to buy votes would be too strong before November.

Tax cuts are nice. Tax reform is even nicer, and more important. But the state has obligations and pressing needs, as well. Those tend to be overlooked when votes are at stake.

Those needs include mass transit along the Wasatch Front. Lawmakers have steadfastly refused to consider a $1.8 billion sales tax hike to fund an expansion of light rail and commuter rail, dedicated transit lines for rapid transit bus lines and reconstruction of some highways. Utah business leaders, through the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, have strongly urged the state to allow people in the four Wasatch Front counties to vote on this tax in November, and yet lawmakers declined to consider it during a recent special session.

Transportation and business officials note that transit and highway construction is necessary in order to keep commerce flowing smoothly as the state's largest metro area continues to grow rapidly. Earlier this year a broad-based group known as the 2015 Transportation Alliance issued a report that detailed some of the concerns about doing nothing. Later, in a press release, Zions Bank CEO and president, Scott Anderson, said, "While the price is high, the cost of inaction is much greater."

Why not combine an income tax cut with the option for counties to approve a transportation sales tax increase?

The state's needs also include permanent funding for dental care for the state's blind, elderly and disabled. Lawmakers also rejected this earlier this year, despite huge surpluses and a request for only $2 million. Utah billionaire James Sorenson and Intermountain Healthcare were so concerned about this that they stepped up and paid the money out of their own pockets, but they can't be expected to cover the cost on an ongoing basis.

It's easy to jump all over crowd-pleasing tax cuts during an election year, especially when the state is growing and surpluses are plentiful. It's much harder to govern responsibly with an eye toward the future, but that is what ultimately will leave a legacy of which to be proud.