Reader comments
Property-tax cuts loom; Senate Republicans united on Utah's need

Hello anybody out there? | 7:50 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

LEGISLATORS!!!!!

PLEASE LISTEN FOR A CHANGE!!!

WE DON'T WANT A TAX CUT! WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE BETTER FUNDED!

WE WANT TEACHERS THAT WILL STAY IN THE STATE MORE THAN 3 YEARS!

WE WANT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE THE BEST IN THE NATION!!1

That is all.

Thanks for listening.

Ridiculous | 7:51 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Yes we need to build more million dollar homes that will have the one of the lowest property tax rates in the nation while we can't get any teachers to live here in the first place.

This is the most absurd thing I have heard from our legislature yet.

Spend the money on keeping some teachers around...

Chuck | 8:03 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Utah has just about the lowest property taxes in the nation! That's one of the reasons we put the least amount into our kids' education. We DON'T need our property taxes cut! Yes, it should be adjusted so they gradually grow instead of spiking all in one year. But the costs for new schools are going up much faster than our property taxes are. Come on Senators, don't do this!!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:22 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

The property tax on a home the size of mine (2800 sq feet) in CA would be around $10,000. I pay $1,500. I feel like I am getting a real bargain compared to my siblings in California.

Joe | 8:39 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

I think there is more to running a state than just public education. I object to the previous bloggers using the word "we" because they don't speak for me.

Lynn Young | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

In view of the continuing surpluses we seee year after year, our state government should cut taxes further. Whether property, sales, or income, cuts must be made. Utahns suffer with one of the overall highest tax burdens in the country.

If the governor succeeds with the platform upon which he was elected, economic development will continue the state's healthy economy and revenue stream for decades to come. There are still many areas where economies can be made, unnecessary pork cut, and priorities reorganized - at least from the point of view of some of us lowly peons.

Education is vitally important, but it is not the only area requiring attention. A well-rounded budget will address all needs, including the need for taxpayers to retain more of their hard-earned money.

Many low and middle-income Utahns do have a hard time making ends meet. We might not struggle so much if taxes were cut and/or government services and health care were made more affordable. The money is there. For once, I hope real world judgement overrides partisan politics and gamesmanship.

Missing the Point | 8:48 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

You're all missing the point here -- and that point is the legislature doesn't care what you think. All they care about is keeping themselves in office, and they'll do whatever they can to make themselves seem like the "good guys". I deal with the legislature on a regular basis, and in fact I often see the bills before they go public. I can tell you that only a few on the hill (mostly democrats) are in any way concerned about the public that elected them. All the rest will do or say anything just to remain in office -- and if lowering property taxes at the expense of education will meet that goal, then that's what will happen.

Tax rates are low... | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

I continually laugh at people that claim we are the among the highest taxed in the nation.

My taxes are about half of what I paid in California.

We build million dollar homes here but complain that we have to pay taxes to educate our children, an area in which we are truly the highest in the country.

Maybe we need to get some priorities and stop buying 4 SUVs per family to fill up our 4 car garages, all while keeping the local teachers family on an income that qualifies their kid for free lunch at school.

GET SOME PRIORITIES!

Anonymous | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

My home is my castle and my refuge. I like to feel it belongs to ME and is not up for grabs by any taxing entity. I feel like the taxes should be based on what we paid for it in the beginning, with allowances perhaps for any subsequent additions. Let schools be financed other ways (sales, food, income, etc.) but let us OWN our homes. It seems more appropriate to me that our property taxes go to support our fire and police departments, and perhaps water and sewer districts and local roads, etc. Education is a good thing, but even a good thing can be bad if it acquires too much power and becomes out of balance.

Richard | 9:49 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

The state needs to create a fund (call it the Utah Fund) and advertise its existence well. Then whenever people like those commenting earlier, think more needs to be given to education, zoos, trax, etc., they can get out their checkbooks write "Utah Fund - Education" in the to: space and send in $500 or $1000. If it is that important to you, put off buying that new TV and send in the money instead.

For the rest of us who think we are taxed to the hilt and that government already wastes too much, we would appreciate a tax cut.

Prop 13 | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

What this state really needs is a PROP 13!

Wayne | 9:57 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Property taxes are a tough tax for seniors living on a fixed income. You find a place to live that you think you can afford and then the propery taxes keep going up and you have no money to pay them. Where do you move to then. We almost need a freeze on property taxes when you are retired and your income doesn't increase. Taxes on food and property hurt us most. Who ever doesn't want a property tax decrease should think about when they are older and may need finicial help.

AB | 10:00 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

I echo 'Joe" and Lynn Young. We are retired & on limited income. And yet in the last four years my property taxes have continually gone up at an increasing rate. NOt only that all the homes that are around mine (6) all have finished basements; mine does not. I'm being taxed according to my neighbors 'finished' homes. Have you ever tried to appeal your taxes? The red-tape is enough to discourage even the most stout-hearted. Yes, education needs help, but there's a better way than just dumping more money into a bottomless pit. Education needs fixing from the top among other things. Yes! We need property tax cuts!

MagnaVox | 10:04 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Since the majority of school funding comes from property taxes, it sounds like the Senate may be enacting revenge on the school system by cutting property taxes, and in turn education funding. In a year or two when property values in Utah have declined, and property tax revenues fall as a result our schools will be in an even worse situation.

Senator Valentine might be feeling immense "pain" from his property taxes, but what is really happening here (if it isn't obvious by now) is that the Utah Republican Legislature hates the public school system. It seems as if they are determined to break public schools, so maybe then they can do things their own way.

WC | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

"After meeting for three hours behind closed doors, Senate Republicans were united Tuesday on the need to give Utahn's property tax relief. The morning caucus was primarily focused on Huntsman's proposed $11.7 billion budget, announced Monday, that includes no tax cuts."

This is how our government works thanks to the continuance of Utahn's blindly voting in Republicans without ANY sort of accountability. Closed door meetings where things are decided.

Pathetic

Karl | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

My property taxes went from $1900 to $2700 this year. I don't have any money trees on the lot. Those of you who do, why don't you just make a voluntary donation and leave the rest of us alone?

fixed income, compromise | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Everyone's income is fixed. From college kids to seniors. What comes in is what can go out. I don't see why we can't cut a little AND help education a little, why does it have to be all one sided? What happened to compromise and doing what is best for a wide range of constituents?

die hard | 10:21 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

All of you who think we have to low of taxes are full of it period!!!! My parents are currently paying more in property taxes per month than what there house payments were when they bought there house. There ss checks barley cover property taxes and health care and by the way in california your property taxes stay at what they were when you bought your house. AT least they can budget for retirement. If we dont STOP the GOVERNMENT MONEY JUNKIES none of us will be able to retire to the homes we raised our children in. Property taxes are OUT OF CONTROL! AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IS WORSE! WAKE UP. Most of these postings have got to come from goverment employees. That job security must feel pretty good. How is it to have a retirement acct and health care?

Anonymous | 11:15 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

I get my paycheck. I see, FICA, Federal, State, Medicare, etc, taken out. Then, I spend whats left and I pay at the Pump, at the Grocery Store, etc. then I register my cars each year and pay taxes, registration fees, etc. Then I take my car and get new tires and I pay a fee for disposal of the old tires. then I go on a camping trip, say to a lake or the mountains and I pay the Feds to camp on public property. When you sell your house, or car, etc, you pay taxes on the gain you made. Why they didn't do anything to deserve that money. If you are smart in the Stock market and you buy a stock today and sell it tomorrow, why should the government take any portion of that. I wish people would realize that there is nothing more permanent than taxes. We left England and established America because they were taxing at a rate of 7%. After you figure in all the taxes you pay, youare paying more than 60% after all is said and done. Lets lower taxes any way we can.

California Teacher | 12:24 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

When I searched for a teaching position eleven years ago in Utah, a state I grew up and was educated in, the starting salary for teachers was in the low 20K range, I ended up accepting a position in California for 10K more a year. I now make over 70k a year, and have thought seriously about trying to return to Utah to teach, but I would take a significant pay cut that would not make it worth it to me. I would hope the Utah legistlature would wake up and realize how far behind the state is falling when it comes to teacher's pay and education in general. All they need to to is look at the test scores that were reported in an article in the Deseret News a few weeks ago that showed that even though scores may look good overall, they are dead last when compared to states with similar demographics. Wake up Utah, you are better than that! If you really do want a tax decrease, why not do what we do here in California and eliminate the tax on food, which is a real tax break for everyone!

How about | 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

How about the following Ideas:

1. Stop government Waste

It digusts me how many billions of tax payers dollars are wasted every year so thier budget next year will remain the same.

2. Buy back the Federal Reserve

Yes the Fed bank is not owned by the government, but by foreign banks. Lets get the $ power in our hands

3. Stop Double taxing

Its bad enough they tax us and then tax us when we purchase materials. Talk about double taation.

4. Eliminate property Tax!
Why should we be taxed on a necessity? I say NO TAXES on FOOD, CLOTHING, PERMAMENT LODGING, WATER, GAS and ELETRICITY!

5. Tax more on luxury items.

Just some food for thought.

UEA already out in force | 12:48 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

These education posts are nothing more than a coordinated UEA action. "I was a teacher who wanted to work here", "I think education should be the priority", blah, blah, blah - none of it is true and it is calculated to tear at the heartstrings of those who hold teachers next to the Virgin Mary and have us some draw some rediculous conclusion that not having a tax cuts hurts our kids.

The article doesn't even metion education - it talks about decreasing property taxes.

These are the questions that should be addressed:

Why should a small populace of Utah have such a high tax return?

What can private enterprise do that tax money no longer needs to pay for?

Why does a Republican governer who campaigns on tax cuts, ditching NCLB and vouchers no seem on the fence on all three?

It's hard to believe the people who are trying to cut our taxes - "an only the Dems care anyway" - are being vilified with these rediculous posts.

StopTheUEA | 1:56 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Want to improve Utah Education? Get rid of the UEA or any organization like unto it. The UEA is the rotten apple spoiling the bunch. The legislature needs to find a way to get rid of them or make them obsolete.

Ron | 3:02 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

For those who say they could make significantly more as teachers elsewhere, join the club. I could make significantly more as an attorney in California or Denver than I do in Utah. My cost of living is likewise slightly lower in Utah, but not commensurately lower than my income, vis-ï¿½-vis average attorney income in other states. It's nonsensical to suppose that Utah teachers should be paid competitively to California teachers.

Anonymous | 3:32 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

California teacher...STAY IN CALIFORNIA!

Anonymous | 4:05 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Utah is the only state that has ZERO dropout schools. That is, more students dropping out than graduating. Utah is the only state under the union. If California is such a great state to teach and they are doing such a good job and the pay really does make better schools, then whats going on outside of Utah. It may be that pay is the only thing driving these teachers. My Dad is a teacher and he didn't do it for the money. Yes he wants $$ just like anyone else, but his real reason is for the kids. I agree with the above post. Get ride of all the organizations that take the money before it reaches the teachers.

Agit8r | 4:52 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

I don't care how much we increase funding for teachers and schools. They'll continue to want more, more, more.

Nelson Stone | 8:56 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

The Governor is finally showing some leadership, but the sheep continue to stray. Two previous tax cuts were both done well, a third one seems quite unnecessary in light of the challenge our public school system faces. We simply need to attract qualified teachers while keeping those we have. You won't do this with the a Republican Legislature. I am seriously considering registering as Democrat, or not registering at all. "Wake Up and Smell the Roses Guys"

Karl | 9:20 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Reading some of the above "Sob Stories" was like watching a good comedy. Ron, the attorney, makes more than sufficient,hardly a comparable. There is a crisis facing this state. Such is not to be disposed of by pelting the UEA -- teachers who want to earn a respectable living, or proponents of increased funding for our children's education -- with unsavory epithets. Branding with a lose iron furnishes no solution to the problem we face.

Donny | 10:03 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Can't we address the issue of tax cuts and increased funding for schools with some reason. Anger, unrelated comparisons, cute suggestions don't elevate the debate. In fact it falls flat as far a debates go. There is, as one writer observed, "a crisis" that needs to be addressed. An outsider reading these comments may well conclude Utahns are anything but Christian.

Porkey Pig | 12:17 p.m. Dec. 13, 2007

If they are serious about taxes and controlling spending, they sure shouldn't spend the $5 million proposed by a Utah legislature for the study for a bridge across Utah Lake. A bridge acrosss Utah Lake is a formula for bankruptcy.

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