Estimated read time: 2-3 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Richard Piatt ReportingThey're talking about your taxes again on Utah's Capitol Hill. That could mean a September special session, where a mix of reform and reordering could be a mixed blessing for your pocketbook.
It's your money, but once it goes into the complex mix of taxes you pay, your control over where it goes is limited. That's why lawmakers and the Governor keep talking about income tax reform. Some of them want to give some of it back and it could happen in a September special session.
Michael Mower, Governor Spokesman: "The governor is very committed to tax relief. It's something he campaigned on, it's something he's worked on since the day he took office."
This week, Republican Legislative leadership hammered out an initial tax reform proposal. It calls for giving taxpayers a choice, starting next year. You could pay up to 7 percent and keep your deductions, or take a lower, flat 5 and a quarter rate with no deductions.
Lawmakers are also worried about tax hike proposals in several cities and counties across the state. Mass transit and transportation are part of that mix. So, the special session would also take on that issue: Including a change state law to convert a Salt Lake County TRAX bond to a hike in sales tax, rather than a boost in property tax.
They're also talking about diverting the 90-million dollars originally intended for the Soccer stadium to pay for transit.
All this may need to be watched closely, according to a taxpayer watchdog. That's because all those tax increases could outweigh the income tax breaks that are proposed.
Mike Jerman, Utah Taxpayers Association: "Special sessions are a dangerous item for taxpayers. It can be good, there can be an upside, but this time the potential downside could be higher than the upside."
In a special session, pressure is high and time is short, and possibly this September, your money is what they're talking about. The decision on the special session probably won't come for a few more weeks.
