Comments about ‘Tax hikes likely after $1B in cuts’

It is a harsh reality, but we need to stay safe so cutting law enforcement does not make sense. I am willing to pay a little extra to have safe roads.

The legislature must cut the budget for everything that does not further government's sole purpose of protecting us from crime and foreign invasion.

This is asnine government. We citizens have had to cut and take losses until it hurt, why can't government do the same thing. Sure, it hurts a lot of people to stop receiving welfare but welfare and health care are not government responsibility. Government must face the facts, there is no more in my pocket to take, unless you want to add me to the welfare system and raise other peoples taxes to support me. No recomvery can be made if all government can come up with is tax us to death, and even tax that. What should be coming out of the legislators mouth is cut, cut, cut spending. Even if it means closing departments that are not necessary or the responsibilty of government. Government must downsize and match its funds, not raise taxes to fund unecessary government welfare. The recovery can exceed more than 10 years so they best buck up and start making cuts. California has spent its way in to bankruptcy and that will be the only outcome if they don't cut till it hurts. Even if it means turning down federal aid that has strings attached.

Just what we expect from government. Rather than tightening its belt and only providing necessary services it will raise our taxes.

Well, at least the kids can enjoy that one!

I'm expecting a decrease of about 20-30% in my income. Who can I tax to make up the difference?

Instead of the state spending our surpluses they should of kept it for times like this. Huntsman should take note from the Gov of Lousianna's speech last night. Lower taxes to empower the people not government.

"A Tax Increase Could Help Budget". WHO'S BUDGET?

Aside from the school year being shortened and the early release of prisoners I think every other cut is totally acceptable.

Even though my company is relatively healthy my raise was cancelled and 1300 of my fellow employees lost their jobs!

Why is it that every business is expected to reduce expenses in tough times but government is not. It is about time we have a government lay off!

What wrong with raising taxes, every time I was in trouble and needed more money I would just go to my Daddy and he would give me more. So there must be and endless supply. Jon Huntsman Jr.

What about the rainy day fund, isn't it for times like these. Huntsman gaurds it like it is his own personal trust fund.

We in government agree...cut the budgets. We'll stop maintaining the roads, but you must agree not to call us demanding payment for your wrecked tires and busted alignments. We'll stop building roads, but you must agree to endure continuing traffic jams and wondering why government can't do something. We'll stop maintaining the parks and fisheries, but you must agree not to call us wondering why your can't find a place to hold a picnic or catch a fish. We'll stop patrolling the neighborhoods, but you must agree to not whine and moan when your 911 calls go to a waiting list. We'll stop monitoring air quality but you must agree to put up with the stupid regulations Environmentalists will slap us with. We'll stop doing these things and more and take the budget cuts like any other business...except government isn't a business. We "usually" go only those services YOU'VE DEMANDED over the course of years and COMPLAIN when they're not done to your satisfaction. Simply put, let's CUT the critism of government likes it's the cause of all things bad.

Its time or government to shrink. Raising taxes is the worst possible thing that could be done.

I have an idea about how we could limit government spending on social programs. I think we should push an amendment through that would force the state from a constitutional basis to eliminate social programs. We could draft a clear line on what government can and can't do since they can't seem to figure it once they get elected. I think there would be no better time to muster support.

Its time that those who work stop paying for those that don't.

RS | 8:21 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

Spoken like a true agent of your master. Worried we might fire you? You should be.

There is plenty of waste in all areas of Government. You could dramatically reduce its budget and still not notice a bit of difference in the "services" provided. We should attack social programs and higher education. Although I feel a good education is important, I also think you should have to pay for it yourself.

Here is just one example of something we could cut. I know of someone studying Gothic literature, yes, an entire semester devoted to it. I'm serious, Gothic literature. How does studying fictional literature about vampires contribute to the greater good of society? Isn't that the argument for higher education? That we all benefit somehow from it. I say slash the budgets, force tuition up and you will see people naturally gravitate towards classes that will pay for themselves in the future and those that wish to piddle around with Gothic literature can just skip wasting tax dollars and head right into the administrative assistant jobs they will be filling after school anyway.

I have just been enlightened by RS with the blog that is posted @8:21. Let's take this analogy to the private sector. Home Depot and the government need to cut their budgets by 10%.

According to RS a 10% cut leads to the elimination of 100% of the services that were mentioned. When Home Depot cut 10% from their budget they laid off a percentage of employees and reduced store hours.

Nobody at Home Depot said you could no longer by lumber or lighting or lawn mowers etc. Your store may not be open as many hours but you adjust. When the economy turns around Home Depot expands again. Government could and should do the same thing.

By the way I think it is totally reasonable to put off new road contstruction projects for at least one year and reduce the hours that parks are available etc. to cut back in lean times. When the economy returns to health the services can once again be expanded.

For the record the majority of citizens don't DEMAND many services from the government. It is the vocal minority who does and they usually get their wish.

How about we start eliminating government waste first?

How about we cut welfare for non-US citizens?

How about the legislators stop using worst-case scenarios to frighten us into believing that the government will have to start cutting the most essential programs right off the bat instead of the all the fluff?

You raise my taxes and you're going to have to add me to the welfare lines.

Wake up! Government ought not be in the business of taking care of us from cradle to grave. I'm not sure you've been reading any headlines, but this is the very recipe for economic disaster.

Have you noticed that every time Obamanable opens his mouth the markets tank?

This is a really bad idea.

Tax profitable business so that government parasites can survive, and soon the money and the nation will be obliterated.

Finally GOV getting exactly what it needs. The chop!!!

Cut it in 1/2 or more while you are at it!!!

I do not know about you folks out there, but I am so FED UP with the government raising taxes to cover their FRIVOLOUS SPENDING! How much more can we take of this? When will the hard-working citizens band together in unity and pull down the government, scattering them abroad? The only difference between book of mormon days and today, we have not killed the kingmen...

This COULD be a perfect opportunity for State to make some positive changes!
1. round up all the illegals and send them home. We need the jobs for Utahns.
2. put every state salary over 100k under a microscope to see if the salary is REALLY justified, (or just reduce ALL salaries over 100k as a percentage.)
3. Tell UHP to start ENFORCING the traffic laws. (HOV lane violations alone between S.L. and Provo could fund a LOT of govt.) How about having those people who REFUSE to obey the law pay for more of the cost of got.? Is UHP accountable to anyone?
4. How about a state lottery, so people don't have to go to Idaho?

I think it would be good if the Legislature would "think outside the box" on this one, but I think it is DEFINITELY NOT a good idea to raise ANY taxes in a recession, it just makes things worse!!

Tax EVERYONE in the state...don't let large families off the hook on Income tax. That will close the budget gap. Maybe even a head-tax to cover public ed costs?

Let me make this very simple. In the private sector we are losings jobs. Having our pay frozen or cut. We have to make tough budget decisions for our family at this time.

When the government says it can not do without or cut its budget significantly we DON'T have a lot of patience. You want to come to us at this time while we are cutting back and tell us pay more so you don't have to make tough choices? I think NOT!