Poll: Utahns want tax cut from Legislature

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A new poll shows most Utahns want state lawmakers to pass a tax cut before the end of the 1008 legislative session.

Seventy percent of the 412 respondents to a poll conducted for KSL-TV and the Deseret Morning News said they want their taxes cut. Another 23 percent said they didn't.

The Dan Jones & Associates poll was conducted last week and has a 5 percent margin of error.

Utah lawmakers have a projected $776 million surplus, the third highest in state history.

Among those polled, eight of 10 said they favor giving a 5 percent income tax cut to self-employed, self-insured Utahns who don't currently get a tax break.

Health care reform proposals currently being considered by state lawmakers would give as much as $18 million in tax breaks to the self-employed.

"It's a matter of fairness," said Rep. Jim Dunnigan, a Taylorsville Republican sponsoring one of the proposals.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman also supports the idea.

"The governor believes the tax credit part (of general health care reform) is a great step forward in providing an affordable option in health care," said Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley. Huntsman supports either measure.

A majority of respondents -- 80 percent -- also said the state should further cut the sales tax on food.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is up for re-election this year, has said he'll push to remove the remaining 3 percent tax if he's elected to a second term.

Some 77 percent of poll respondents said they oppose a bill that would automatically raise gasoline taxes every two years, tying it to the cost-of-living and inflation increases. Gas taxes have not been increased in Utah for a decade.

But there's one tax bill Utahns would support: one to increase the per-pack cigarette tax. Among respondents, 72 said they'd like the idea of using cigarette taxes to pay for smoking cessation and anti-teen smoking programs.

About 60 percent of the state's population and a majority of Utah lawmakers are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which discourages the use of tobacco.

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Information from: Deseret Morning News