Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
It all seems so confusing.
The State of Utah is running a record surplus. Some in state government talk enthusiastically of cutting taxes and giving the money back to the people. Mixed in are ongoing discussions about tax reform. Then there are those who contend taxes actually ought to be increased to accelerate road building and mass transit expansion. Meantime, dozens of local taxing entities across the state are asking voters this Fall to approve tax increases to pay for this vital project or that.
Record surpluses! Calls for tax cuts! Pleas for higher taxes! Demands here and threats there!
Utahns must be terribly bewildered. Justifiably, we think.
Here's what KSL suggests.
No symbolic, meager tax breaks, unless they can be tied to comprehensive, not token, tax reform. If the transportation crisis is as threatening as many say, and we believe it is, much of the surplus ought to be directed that way. It would save taxpayers money in the long run.
And local officials need to be careful about asking voters for too many things, especially when it involves hefty property tax increases. Overloading the November ballot could easily lead to voter backlash and the defeat of a number of notable projects.
Still, the issues are likely to remain confusing!
