From Deseret News archives:
All hands go up for tax cuts
Lawmakers unanimously approve 'toned-up' reduction/reform measure
Even though about a third of Utah residents say they don't want tax cuts, a huge tax cut/tax reform bill passed unanimously by the Legislature Wednesday, the 2007 general session's final day. All legislators' hands were up for a $220 million tax reduction.
A few amendments toned up the large bill. And legislators said over the coming summer the state's tax policy may be "fine tuned," with even a special session coming to repeal the state's old tax systems.
"We have before us the proverbial sausage," joked Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, just before the House voted 75-0 in favor of SB223, which imposes a new 5 percent single-rate personal income tax system, cuts the food sales tax, cuts the general state sales tax and trims back a dozen or so other specific taxes.
"This sausage is well-seasoned," McGee added, repeating the various studies over the last two years on tax reform. "There have been many good cooks."
Highlights of the recipe:
All tax cuts take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Uniform food sales tax of 3 percent across the state.
Cut in food tax, cut in general state sales tax.
Half a dozen other specific taxes cut.
Food sales tax taken out of the so-called "boutique" sales tax.
All of the cuts were rolled into one omnibus bill as part of a compromise agreement between House and Senate GOP leaders. House Republicans, especially House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, wanted cuts in the food tax, and Senate Republicans like Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s income tax reform plan.
They all started with a different idea of how much should be cut $300 million for the House GOP, $150 million for Senate Republicans and $100 million for the governor. It took many early morning, late night and weekend meetings to come up with the final package initially passed Monday by the Senate with only two Democrats opposed.
Wednesday, senators approved the amended bill with no negative votes, although three senators were off the floor, including Senate Assistant Minority Whip Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City, who'd opposed the bill before.
And Senate Minority Caucus Manager Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, pointed out that the House amendments actually lowered the amount of money Utahns could earn before owing taxes, for example, from $14,000 to $12,000 for single filers.
Comments
- Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves 1:54 p.m.
- Obama salutes Fort Hood victims 1:53 p.m.
- D-Will, Price sit out Jazz practice 1:11 p.m.
- Utah Jazz: 2010 NBA All-Star ballot 1:09 p.m.
- Ex-astronaut pleads guilty in attack 1:01 p.m.
- Mo. governor's mansion lockdown 1:01 p.m.
- Clinton to Dems: pass health bill 12:55 p.m.
- Deseret Book moves from Orem mall 12:52 p.m.
- Ed chief wants to redo appointment 12:50 p.m.
- No bail for accused cop shooter 12:48 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Senators want food tax restored
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Utes get extra motivation
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses
- House passes health care bill
242 - TCU showdown has big implications
185 - Lobo suspended
183 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Thousands protest health bill
120 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
Does this third bailout to Government Motors mean more of our limited tax...
I just want to say i have had the pleasure to coach Kealia. I so happy for...
I say, if we are going to pass a health care bill, let's be smart about it....
Should I be upset at my ancestors for coming to the USA from Britain? I had...
Were there any Muslims attacked? ============= Dude, where have you been?...
To "jackhp | 12:00 p.m. " so what you are saying is that it is better to for...
RE Looking Back | 6:50 a.m. You are only seeing the part of history that...
'Just what we need another law which duplicates law already on the books.' ...
We are cheering because we barely won in NY? Oh how far this franchise has...
They are like little kids licking popcicles and playing playstation vidio...




You can be the first to comment on this story.