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
- Richmond teen dies week after crash 12:10 p.m.
- Prep swim rankings 12:05 p.m.
- Woods' wife asked neighbors to call 12:03 p.m.
- Stocks climb after econ reports 11:57 a.m.
- Missionaries talk to Michigan paper 11:49 a.m.
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention 11:45 a.m.
- NBC sale to Comcast cleared 11:14 a.m.
- Palin book goes platinum 11:12 a.m.
- 2 arrested in Roy double slaying 11:09 a.m.
- Women's insurance to get first vote 10:52 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
900 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
393 - Max Hall issues apology
385 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
330 - Utes won't respond to Hall
268 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
149 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
I cant believe South Sevier is not in the top 20. This is crazy. they took...
All I hear is my team this, my guys that, but continue to see consistently...
possibly be because you LOST could it? If you had won, everyone would just...
Juan Diego was not runner up last year, Logan was.
Bountiful is playing all juniors and look pretty dang good. They will have a...
Sure, RSL would have been 2-0-2 in the playoffs with ties, but that would...
Honduras should go into the Brazil embassy and arrest Zalaya and try him and...
I've heard the most horrible things in my life by Utah fans at football...
I'm hearing emotional arguments here. Close It has the right perspective....
To "Matthew | 3:23 p.m." you are full of lies. It would be far worse to have...





You can be the first to comment on this story.