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
- Teen hurt while riding on car hood 12:41 p.m.
- CSU bans guns on campus 12:40 p.m.
- Driver killed in Wyoming bus crash 12:37 p.m.
- Washington, Poe set auction records 12:35 p.m.
- Marriage vs. living together with kids 12:21 p.m.
- Re-creating Bethlehem 12:12 p.m.
- N.C. nativity display spans globe 12:12 p.m.
- Plan would open HOV lanes 12:03 p.m.
- Navajo politics turn sour 11:59 a.m.
- Focus: Put Christmas back in stores 11:53 a.m.
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- 5A high school football All-State
- George lost in rivalry hatefest
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Jazz outrun Pacers
- Nutty Putty Cave to be sealed today
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
302 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
242 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
188 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
152 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
120 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
118 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
104
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
One of the biggest problems in the NBA today and all sports is lack of...
I'm with you. I don't think most of them kids need no more math. They will...
BYU "Professors"? I liked BYU before this bunch of...
Strong word sir, perhaps a bit over the top. No, actually a lot over the top!...
if they don't sign him some team will take him off the wires in thirty seconds.
I watched Matthews go in for a dunk last night! Deron and Carlos were...
Buy him a membership in a health club for one month. Do wonders. To season...
have they signed matthews yet or waiting until feb when they have to sign or...
For what the all whine , big baby and make up stories a year later award? If...
Yeah, like focus on the family hasn't its' own religious and political axe to...




You can be the first to comment on this story.