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Richard Piatt reporting Two Utah lawmakers-- Democrat Pat Jones and Republican Steve Mascaro-- have unveiled a new version of a plan that's always a button-pusher here in Utah.
It's aimed at getting bigger families to pay more for public education. This latest Jones-Mascaro bill is as much about tax reform as it is funding education.
Thanks to a budget surplus, this Republican-democrat duo have crafted a plan to revamp the income tax system.
Rep. Steve Mascaro/ (R) Salt Lake County: "We believe it stabilizes revenue for education down the road and it provides significant tax reform now."
The plan would eliminate exemptions, raise taxes for wealthy families with more than five children. But it would lower taxes for families with less than five children, and whose income is $75-thousand a year or less.
Both lawmakers say more than half of Utah's taxpayers would benefit.
Amid a sea of tax reform bills, both are pushing to make this one stand out.
Rep. Pat Jones/ (D) Salt Lake County: "There's been some talk about putting all the tax reform bills into a task force. I think that's a cop out frankly. I think we need to get on with it."
Past oppenents to the Jones-Mascaro bill will be watching this year's version closely. If there is even a whif of an unfair burden, they say it will be a challenge to get it passed.
Also today on Capitol Hill, lawmakers put a bill to provide reciprocal benefits to unmarried partners on hold. A final vote could come later this week.
A House committee passed a bill that would provide counseling to couples who are seeking a divorce.
And a Senate committee approved a measure to allow consumers to put a 'security freeze' on their credit reports.
