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Governor Jon Huntsman makes a persuasive argument for calling a special session of the legislature in a few weeks to enact the two-track income tax system he's been pushing.
KSL had been skeptical of the plan, foremost because it is partial, not comprehensive tax reform. We recently called it "token tax reform." But, during a meeting with the KSL Editorial Board, the governor convinced us that a comprehensive overhaul of the state's system of taxation, though it would be best in the long-term for the people of Utah, is not politically feasible.
At least the governor's proposal gets the state going in the direction of what is needed.
Some $70 million earmarked last legislative session for a tax cut that didn't materialize is still there. As the governor suggests, it ought to be used for tax reform, however modest, and not merely rebated to the people. The governor proposes using the money to implement a system that would give taxpayers a choice when filing their annual state taxes between a flat rate of 5.3 percent with no deductions or credits, or as they do now with expanded brackets. He calls it an investment in tax reform, and we agree.
KSL encourages lawmakers to go along with his suggestion for a special session in mid-September to get the job done.
