pr A forum for opinion (eQtFoD Review Wednesday Jan. 22, 1986 4A What should top list of legislature's priorities? immi ,;i Schools, taxes? :K UI.MHWMUIIWII.U ' ' The 1986 Utah state legislative session has begun, with - many pressing issues on the i "agenda. Legislators are faced with solving questions on deficits, balancing budgets, handling rapid growth in number of students, and other such com- . - TT i"i x. is i, f Hi; y yd yk - V. i m, rani A; 3? m plex issues. I'tl To find a pulse of the community, the Lakeside Review asked State Rep. Ute Knowl-to- n and several residents what they felt the legislature should have as a top priority. ! Ute Knowlton, Kaysville area representative: No question the number one duty and responsibility is to establish and balance a budget. It is by far and away the largest issue. It is also the hardest and needs to be done every session. : At issue is the flood money. We should just try to hold on to ' the flood money. There is a ; temptation by many to take one-- ; time state tax and apply it to ongoing programs. But I dont think we should do that because if the budget is balanced with those funds we are iii effect double tax- -, ing. Doing that also postpones the problem until next year when it is more difficult to solve. The governor wants bonding for capital improvements. Hell call it building expenses but in ;truth it. is just to pay for past bonding debts. We have a $75 million deficit to pay on. Thats the debt maintainence of the state, and Im not a bonder. I dont believe in it . : Lori Fliehman, HAFB: My number one thing would be for the utility commissioners to be elected instead of appointed. They would have more pull with the utility company because I think they would listen to the people more than they are now. 1,' Me Ute Knowlton Lori Listening to us is not a priority at this point They had a meeting on the 31st of December and nobody could go because of .family and the holidays. They were sneaky in a way. Utility companies are a thorn in my side and always have been. Ive seen this (elected official idea) work in Georgia. Also they could reduce phone charges so more elderly and young people could have phones. If people are interested in a group who can challenge the utilities, they can call me at 773-875- 7. . Tom Magee, Clearfield: I hope they dont raise taxes. That can go on and on forever. When I was in school we went outside to the cranny and came in and sat on wooden benches. But now they have thick carpet and upholstered seats that get all cut up. The kids dont appreciate it I think they are going overboard. If you can afford it then great, but I see that we cant afford it. And Ive got 17 grandchildren that Id like to see graduate! We have beautiful schools but we cant afford such elaborate schools. f. Vf-Jii- . After you retire, your taxes keep going up and your retirement doesnt. Its hard when youre on limited ihoney. We worked 50 years to get a decent home and we pay taxes. Were paying for the education of those who are renting. Wendi Ries, sophomore at Clearfield High School: They should work on a better school budget. Things such as better teachers, or more for the kids and not so much for teachers: things like books, activities, larger schools and supplies. Id like to see a bigger variety of classes, some more and different sports like hockey or soccer. A lot. of people are interested in them and there isnt anything in the schools for them and they are fun. Id like to see more on the lunch program. The lunches are disgusting. Im serious, they are disgusting. I went to a salad bar and all the salad was brown. The hamburger was low grade and they stuff. The use a lot of day-ol- d cookies are so hard that you cant even break them. Yes, Id like to see more money in the lunch program. If they want us to get a good V ' I I'K'r-- tiiHi ' Tom Magee Fliehman Wendi Ries education then they need to feed us nutritious food. I swear they feed the rescue missions better. Danny Buckley, father of six in Clearfield: Id like to see them get moro money for schools. We have a problem with the schools. Except for the last three years, the kids have been in a different school each year for five years. - n . His wife, Debby Buckley said, I think they should tax liquor, cigarettes, and Hershey bars. They keep telling us about a surplus in flood funds. I think they should use it but not to give $10 to everybody. I think they ought to pay teachers more, And they get a new one next year. I dont like it. We live place and I think they should go to school in one place. I think they should have more money to build more schools. I would be willing to pay more in taxes. Property taxes are more fair, with bigger houses, there are more people. Thats not fair. in-on- e T II ii Danny Buckley j Buckley said. in - I.V 4VSi i i ' jj Proposed tax increase unfair The haunting prospect of filing bankruptcy looms on the horizon for many farmers, and tragically, appears to be a much more common practice than in years past. A proposal by the Utah State Tax Commission that taxes be increased on farm il! our view Illustration by Val Bagley tics. In 1982, net farm income for the state equaled $55 million. Farm property taxes were cent of their taxable income $15.2 million. In 1983, even toward property taxes in 1984. though farm income dropped The discrepancy in the down to $36.8 million, farm amount of taxes paid by each property taxes were increased speaks for itself. to $23.3 million. farm increase on To taxes and The State Tax Commission equipment machinery would place a harsh burden machinery and equipment proposal calls for farmers on farmers already struggling would strike a fatal blow to to pay tax on 80 perfarmers and the Utah value of their macent to make ends meet of many The statistics are jolting: ranchers. They already pay a chinery for property taxes the Utahns engaged in the na- disproportionate amount of first year, compared to the 95 tions most basic field of work taxes. percent they are now paying. had to fork out 48.9 percent of According to the executive The proposal also stipulates their net farm income in vice president of the state the value of the machinery 1983-8- 4 Farm Bureau Federation, no never falls below 58 percent, to cover farm proper1975 From other to taxes. 1984, segment of the economy regardless of the age of the ty 27 claimed comes close to paying equipment even taxes perproperty cent of the net farm and ranch such a percentage of income If such a proposal were entaxes. in statistics to income, according acted, it would doubtless cripproperty To illustrate the effect the ple many farmers and supplied by the Utah Farm ' Bureau Federation. proposed increase would have, ranchers in Utah, who perArea residents paid 3.3 per one has only to look at statis- form such a vital job. Married Couples Deduction 10 and-rancher- s At H&R Block, we guarantee you the biggest refund you have coming, or your return is FREE. come to Dont settle for less H&R Block. two-earn- A public LAYTON-2- NO. OGDEN-S. Fort Lane SO. OGDEN-359N. Main 3 BRIGHAM CITY 112 N. Main 7 CLEARFIELD-1- tervict message from the IRS Weekdays 9 VX' ' v V ' r. V- ( - yg A.M.-- 9 P.M., Sat 9-- 5 1 5 065 Wash. Blvd. Wash. Blvd. Appointments Available pi ))i 5 ' ))' )) Thomas Lighting LIGHT FIXTURES ucf) Vjr A.' i TABLE LAMPS RECESSED LIGHTING TRACK LIGHTING Oveson 1 fief' JANUARY CLEARANCE SALE Val lames Hansen '' 4 fll'.f A-- .' Off PRES. ABRAHAM LINCOLN Chairperson Ruby Price CLOSE OUT PRICES f O ' ON X Reception & Buffet Dinner e Entertainment Utah old Time Fiddlers e Introductions & Recognition of Guest e The Honorable J. Bracken Lee & Mrs. J. Bracken Lee e County & State Officials Browning 825-825Kathy Smoot PUBLIC INVITED Dorothy Pain Daioria 451-200- 5, RSVP Pric 544-011- Moil 295-104- 1, ctf s-7 DRIGHAM OGDEN S3. M m 1950 Well SOS 723-77- TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE ONLY $7.50 Jove SELECTED ITEMS Kl 544-251- 8. Lola Pat Hirchi Lorain Flood 451-550Pickett 295-234- 7, Mary Stark 773-42- PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT DAVIS 3S4-77- 44 8tor Hour 644-845- 7, COUNTY GOP 8- -t I CLEARFIELD 1475 Sts. Suts 773-70- 6S Weekdeye, CLOSED SUNDAY 4- - . n U pi Vi y y y y y y y y y y'yy if'1 Vt ) V? LINCOLN DAY DINNER COUNTRY WESTERN FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 1986, 5:45 DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL, 325 SO. MAIN, KAYSVILLE PRESENTS Lt. Governor Representative the income tax people 394-263- 1 couple who files a joint return may be able to deduct 10 of the qualified earned income, up to $3,000, of tne lesBer earning spouse. A DAVIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY J if) 0-- 4 Set 50 VISA