Two articles Wednesday morning caught my eye, both in the Salt Lake Tribune.
The first said state tax revenues were higher: “Big boost: State revenue projections triple for coming year” said the headline.
After showing signs of life during the summer, Utah’s economic recovery appears to have picked up steam and the governor and lawmakers are now projecting $300 million in revenue growth for the coming fiscal year.
While legislative leaders are only cautiously optimistic, warning that there are still a lot considerations that could dig into the revenue projections, not to mention the still as yet unforeseen effects of the fiscal cliff on revenues — depending on whether Washington lawmakers avoid it–and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”) on spending. Already, there are reports that the state may have to cut back on state employees hours to avoid fines Obamacare fines that would cost the state as much as $40 million a year.
Under the Affordable Care Act, if the state doesn’t offer health care to anyone working over 30 hours, it could be penalized $2,000 for each of those workers, Chet Loftis, director of the state’s Public Employees Health Plan told legislators Tuesday.
The real effect remains to be seen, though, and in the meantime legislators were cautiously reviewing the $300 million revenue growth projections with an eye to filling gaps in the state budget.
Meanwhile, another story was being told in Salt Lake County. The headline? “Republican councilmen willing to consider tax hike.”
In comparison with the higher revenue projections at the state due to increased income taxes and sales taxes–a sign of growth–Salt Lake County is facing a budget shortfall in spite of a growing economy. The outgoing mayor of Salt Lake County, Democrat Peter Corroon, has proposed a 17.5% property tax increase.
It’s a contrast that is impossible to miss: one government faces growth and another is struggling to compensate for spending beyond its ability to afford. And the solution that the County looks to is a permanent tax increase, the “most odious of all taxes” as one friend put it, a property tax on the most important single thing that people own–their home. While a person can easily choose how much they spend, or don’t spend, to assure that they can live within their means, a home owner can hardly do anything about a property tax but pay it–if they can afford it. It’s unfair, it’s painful, and lawmakers should think twice before adding to a property tax instead of finding a way to either cut the County budget or do better with what they have.
Unfortunately, the entire message coming out of the Salt Lake County buildings seems to be just the opposite. When candidate Mark Crockett, flanked by former Senator Bob Bennett, suggested that there were ways to improve the jail system to keep people from becoming repeat offenders, rather than embrace or examine the ideas, Democrat Jim Winder went into full partisan mode to attack and defend his department, claiming that Crockett’s ideas would release criminals on to the streets.
That’s called a scare tactic, folks, and it’s bad for our governing.
Apparently, though, it’s a good way to drive a tax increase. Even the most odious of all taxes, the property tax.
About Daniel Burton
RSS - Posts
Great article. What is your recommendation for having our voices heard, both to the outgoing and incoming mayor, regarding this issue? I think neither Corroon (nor McAdams for that matter) should get away with conveniently slipping this in right before leaving office. I realize there may not be a lot we can do at this point, but I think we at least need to send the message that if this is how Corroon wants to play politics, this is how he will be remembered. Overspending and then sticking it to those of us who are trying to be responsible citizens is not the kind of governing we need or want in this county. I am so tired of the reckless spending on all levels of government and I feel strongly that we citizens need to start holding our elected officials accountable. If nothing else, there needs to be more press coverage surrounding this issue along with citizens voicing our opinions so that future mayors will think twice before pulling stunts like this. I would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks Dan!
There’s a public meeting on December 11 on the tax hike. I would recommend attending and participating. Also, contact your county councilmembers (you are represented by both your geographic councilmember and several “at-large” members) and let them know what you think, as well as why. Last, encourage others in your neighborhood and elsewhere in the county to do the same. I think the best we can do is help people get informed and encourage them to engage.