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Show THE THUNDERBIRD ill STS Rollback imperils schools TO THE EDITOR: With the opening of the Utah State Legislature, it is important students at Southern Utah State College be aware of the tax rollback initiative. The tax protesters' rhetoric is disturbing. Their opposition to tax increases passed by the Legislature in 987 1 shows some serious of essential misunderstandings facts. The growth of Utah's economy has slowed considerably in the 1 980s. Revenue fell by over $113 million from fiscal year 1985 to 1 987. Utah is not alone. 23 states cut their 1 987 fiscal year budgets to balance budgets. 31 states raised taxes. Utah ranks first in the nation in the number of children underage 17, but last in the nation in the percentage of the population that is working age, (ages ). Providing education for this group takes half of our state revenue. Utah has 47 children per 1 00 working adults, while the national average is 31. It is interesting to note that we spend more money on education as a percentage of total state revenues than almost any other state. At the same time, we spend fewer dollars per pupil than any other state. Therefore, the repeal of the tax increase cannot be done without real harm to essential services. Higher education's share of the 18-64- tax rollback would 1 4 and universities. According to the Utah Stystem of Higher Education, "The only way to absorb such a large cut would be to look at a major restructuring and downsizing of Utah's system of higher education." Utah would have to cut out whole schools and major colleges within the universities. Almost certainly one or more of the smaller colleges would have to be closed totally. At the same time, Utah would also have to prune out individual within programs remaining schools and colleges. Buildings would be boarded up and mothballed. There would be reductions of faculty and staff in all administrative and support areas. Such cuts in education do not make sense when set against the need for a work force. Between 1990-9Utah's labor force is projected to grow by less than three percent. Utah will have an edge over other states if it can boast of the labor force in the nation. The tax hike imposed last year was an investment in the future made by elected state officials. SUSC students can fight the tax rollback initiative. Students can voice their concerns well-educat- 5, fastest-growin- g, well-educat- to parents, and friends, whomever they come in contact with. mean trimming anywhere between $24 to $40 million from our colleges ASSUSC Darin Bird Political Affairs Representative Plan threatens education (continued from page 1) According to Bird the rollback proposal isn't as strong as it was last year, but he expects it to gain strength the closer it gets to election time. In a Deans' Council meeting last quarter, It was mentioned that the state was split down the middle on the issue. Currently there are 2,400 petitions in circulation and supporters hope to collect over 200,000 signatures, said Richards, In oppostion to the tax rollback proposition a citizens group called Utah Taxpayers has come out in support of the state's educational needs and to fight the tax rollback. "I think that you will see many prominent Utahns come out in support of the tax increase, former governors, educational leaders, and other influential people," said Bird. Utah's economy has suffered setbacks in the last year including the closing of Kennecott Corp. and the closing and labor reduction of the mines in eastern Utah. But the state expects its labor force in increase by nearly 10 percent within the next 10 years. Educators and government officials agree that the key to enticing businesses to locate in Utah is a well educated work force. DR. fl.F. RICH. OPTOMETRIST 60 NORTH MAIN 25 586-888- 1 DISCOUNT ON ALL SERVICES AND MATERIALS TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF AND WITH THEIR FAMILIES, YEAR ROUND. FRIENDLY, CARING, EXPERIENCED, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Guarantee Risk Free Contacts, Money-Bac- k Specialty MONDAY JANUARY 11, 1988 PAGE 5 |