Sunday Edition: Raising property taxes and mental health

Sunday Edition: Raising property taxes and mental health


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Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY — In this Sunday Edition, we take a closer look at proposals to increase property taxes around the state, as well as a new agreement for Valley Mental Health. Find out what it will mean for those seeking treatment. And, all the TRAX lines are almost complete. Doug Wright offers his opinion on the future for light rail.

Segment 1

It used to be Utah politicians bragged about holding the line on raising taxes. But this year, it seems to be a "tax season." Forty-six cities and school districts want to raise taxes.

We are going to take a closer look at the largest request, that of the Jordan School District.

Segment 2

In the last couple years, Salt Lake County has changed the way it handles mental health services. Valley Mental Health used to be the county's sole provider. But now, it is OptumHealth who is the managed care organization.

Valley Mental Health is now one of more than 200 providers. Tight budgets have led to changes, and even a loss of service for lots of people.

There was tension between Valley mental health and the county council over letters that went out to thousands of patients, telling them their services would stop.

Most of them don't have to worry about that now, but underlying concerns remain. Richard Piatt discussed the changes with Salt Lake County mayor Ben McAdams and the CEO of Valley Mental Health Gary Larcenaire. He also gained some perspective on mental health care from psychiatrist Todd Thatcher and Robert Barth, a clinical social worker.

Segment 3

The Draper TRAX line extension officially opens later this month. The mass transit system offers lots to celebrate but Doug Wright explains why he hopes it is not the end of the line.

News Specialist John Hollenhorst, who is always on the lookout for the wacky, the weird and the wonderful, will finish the show with a story about the dictator of a tiny "nation" known as the Independent Republic of Molossia. We think somebody's tongue might be planted firmly in cheek, but we'll let you be the judge.

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