These are classic discussions published back in May 2005
Income Tax
I need a little input here (on- or off-line, as you prefer). On the tax reform task force, I am co-chair of the income tax subcommittee. That would include personal and corporate income tax. Remember: according to our state Constitution, all revenues from these taxes go to education. Major things we are considering include a flat personal income tax and elimination of the corporate income tax.
Though it masquerades as progressive, Utah basically has a one-rate personal income tax (because the top rate kicks in at $4,300 for an individual taxpayer and $8,600 for a couple and because the rate is not indexed for inflation). Should we abandon the pretext of progressiveness and opt for an intentionally flat tax (doing away with non-mandated deductions and credits)? Of course, your answer would depend on the specific rate imposed; but what about the concept itself?
Corporate income tax generates around $180 million/year for the State (the number fluctuates greatly, depending on business cycles). The... (read more)
High Praise
LaVarr heaps well-deserved praise on the Gov’s legislative point-man Mike Mower. He says,
Have a question you need answered? Just call Mike Mower in the governor’s office. He has all the answers. I was listening to “Let Me Speak to the Governor” on KSL Radio Tuesday evening and every time Gov. Huntsman got a question that was too esoteric to immediately answer, he referred the caller to Mike Mower. Mike knows. He can tell you why stars twinkle, the number of grains of sand on the seashore, and what birds say when they chirp. He can tell you why Democrats are clueless, and he even fathoms the minds of legislators. Plus, I’m going to call him when I need help with my daughter’s algebra problems. Besides all that, Mower, the governor’s director of legislative and constituent affairs, is one of the really nice guys in politics and he even, thankfully, has a sense of humor.
Mike is bright, competent and a real... (read more)
Taxing Times
I am on the tax policy task force. Here are links to 2 divergent viewpoints on taxes and tax policy. As best as I can understand it, the Tribune argues the task force errs by concerning itself with the size and scope of state government; rather, the Trib argues we should focus on fairness and meeting outstanding needs, like education and transportation. (I don’t mean to be unfair in this characterization; please correct me, if you read the editorial differently.) On the other hand, Gazelem states, “Part of the conservative mindset should be to limit government and to increase personal responsibility. Both of these can be done by reducing the tax burden.”
The Tribune editorial states, “The knee-jerk talk of state tax cuts that reliably followed recent news of greater state budget surpluses . . . shows how much . . . the cause of limited government is already well-stated.” Nah. Actions speak louder than words. The fact that Utah’s overall... (read more)
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
LaVarr pointed me to an interesting article on stem cell research. I majored in biology and particularly enjoyed genetics. (Talking last week with a current biology major, though, I got the feeling my work back in the day (1980s) might be closer to the work of Mendel (1820s) than to that of the current student, in terms in sophistication.) So, I have a bit of a scientific background to approach the issue of stem cell research — though I don’t think that such a background is a prerequisite. The issue also must be approached from moral, philosophical, religious and purely human perspectives.
I relish scientific advancement — not only from a science perspective but also, and mostly, from a human perspective. Bluntly, as would be true for all of us, a lot of people I love would not be here, if it weren’t for scientific advances made over the last century. And, other people I love still might be here or... (read more)
A Day in the Life
People often ask what the Legislature requires when we’re not in session.
This week I left St. George Monday around noon for a meeting with the Utah Department of Transportation in Cedar City. From there, I went to Panguitch to meet with the Garfield County Engineer to talk about transfering roads from the State to the counties. Then, I went to Salt Lake City to check into a hotel. I spent most of the time on the road talking with fellow legislators about task forces and the upcoming interim meetings.
Tuesday morning, I had a tax policy task force at 8 a.m. From there, I went to a meeting for House/Senate leadership, a meeting of House leadership, a meeting of legislative management, lunch with other legislators, a meeting of the executive appropriations committee, a meeting with the Southern Nevada Water Association (I got there late and missed dinner that night — though that practice probably wouldn’t hurt me any), and, finally, a... (read more)
A Good Day
This morning I dropped my kids off at school and watched my tiny, youngest daughter run for the swings. The only swing left was forehead high on her. Watching her struggle to climb in it, I saw a second- or third-grader heading for her, and thought, “Uh-oh, she’s about to get kicked out.” Instead, the other girl helped my daughter up into the swing and pushed her until she laughed and screamed with delight. I’m not sure it gets any better than that — for my daughter or me.
Triathlons