House GOP calling for tax cut of $90 million

Utah House Republicans want to give taxpayers — and voters — at least a $90 million tax cut next year.

After meeting in an all-day, closed caucus, the 55 House Republicans emerged to say they also want to give certified public school teachers another $2,500 raise next year, just like they gave them this year.

It takes 38 votes to pass a budget or bill in the 75-member House. And House Majority Leader Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said Monday evening that he has at least 38 votes for a number of critical tax-cutting and budget-setting matters to be considered by the 2008 Legislature, which convenes next month.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said while Senate Republicans had not put a number to the amount of any tax cuts next year, the House Republicans' $90 million "is in the ballpark" of what the Senate may be willing to do also.

"It's amazing we have so much consensus to start out with," said Valentine.

The catch may be GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who had no tax cuts at all in his $11.7 billion recommended budget released last week.

Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said the governor "is willing to work with lawmakers" on tax-cutting ideas.

"It is early yet" to come to a $90 million number, however. "But we always believed that our health-care reform would have as a component" giving independently employed Utahns a pre-tax health-insurance break. "We just never put a number to it."

But getting more uninsured Utahns health insurance "is still a major goal," Roskelley said.

Clark says he has the votes for:

• A $15 million property tax cut for all homeowners and businesses. The state would pick up local school districts' share of a $30-million early reading program started by former Gov. Olene Walker in 2005.

• A $15 million personal income tax cut for Utahns independently employed who pay for their own health insurance. While Utahns employed by a firm that provides health insurance can pay their share of the health insurance in pre-tax dollars, self-employed individuals would be given that same tax break on their personal state income taxes.

• About $60 million in ongoing new tax revenue growth set aside for further tax cuts, the specifics to be determined as the 45-day general session moves forward.

• Nearly $120 million of the new, ongoing tax revenue "taken off the table" at this point and set aside for state government growth.

• A $2,500 raise for each certified public education teacher, which will cost the state about $90 million.

• No bonding to build new state buildings.