Teachers, others raise concern about new tax reform proposal

[TexasTowelie]

SALT LAKE CITY — Dozens of teachers in bright red T-shirts came to the Capitol Thursday for a meeting on a tax reform bill drafted for a possible special session of the Utah Legislature that calls for dropping the state income tax rate to 4.58% while raising sales taxes on food, gas and some services.

But the bill does not deal with what may be the most controversial piece of the plan being put together by GOP legislative leaders — amending the Utah Constitution to remove the earmark on income tax revenues for education while coming up with an alternative source of funding.

“From our expert vantage point, the tax bill language is not fair, is not just and is not good for kids,” Utah Education Association President Heidi Matthews told members of the Legislature’s Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force, citing “massive” cuts that would be made in income taxes without a new plan for paying for schools.

“How can we begin to make decisions about this proposal in the absence of a new funding plan for education? We are asked to trust and we ask you to give us something to trust,” she said, suggesting to cheers that lawmakers should do what would be expected of a math student, “to show your work.”

Read more: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2019/11/7/20952678/2020-utah-tax-reform-plan-details

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Golly gee whiz,

this same conversation happened ten years ago when Utah lowered it's State Income Tax rate from 7%to 5%,and if you could chose either rate during the first year of the 5% rate. Oh,and Retirement Benefits were not taxed at the 7% rate,but,once the 5% rate hit,boom,your retirement Benies were tax at first dollar. Remember this change was to be the big benefit to the States Teachers,well it did not work out so well that time around. All the new Funding never bore fruits . The State Legislature pulled back funding in order to give Corporations and High Earners mega Breaks.

Nothing will ever change in that State until Temple Square demands a change. If their Members are not able to pay their tithing then and only then does change ever come.