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Forgive our pessimism, but it seems the effort to overhaul Utah’s antiquated tax structure is a gigantic, time-consuming exercise in futility. Indeed, KSL doesn’t hold out much hope for genuine, realistic and fair tax reform in Utah any time soon.
The issue, simply, is too complex, too convoluted, too entrenched! Do one thing to benefit one segment of society and another gets hurt! In the midst of it all is an array of powerful special interest groups with one deep-rooted position after another!
It’s true the celebrated Tax Reform Task Force proposed a plan the other day. The esteemed panel members recommend a flat-rate income tax of 5 percent. Their plan allows credits for charitable contributions and interest on home mortgages. They even spoke in favor of eliminating the dreaded sales tax on food.
As always, though, the devil is in the details, and the details in this plan are severely lacking. Leave it for the entire legislature to work out, is the argument some are making.
Well, if a high-powered 15 member panel that has spent seven intense months working on tax reform can’t come up with detailed proposals, how can anyone expect the entire legislature to effectively address the issue?
So yes, we’re pessimistic . . . and terribly disappointed in the way things are going.
