OCR Text |
Show PAGE 6 THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 89 Schools and Taxes how do we get the most for our dollar? by Jim Stiles was heartened recently to see the results of a poll taken by KSL and The It indicated that 71 of all Utahans supported the teachers Deseret News walkout, and believe It's time their needs and concerns were taken seriously. In a state that ranks 43rd In the country In starting teacher salaries, as well as having one of the nations highest student-to-teacIts about ratios, all I can say Is I her time. spite of that statistic, I cant believe the number of people who still think that teachers are actually paid too much. Theyve got to be kidding. (Startliig salaries in Utah are In the vicinity of $14,000.) I've heard the complaint that teachers have the luxury of six hour work days and three month vacations. But anyone who believes that teachers leave their jobs behind when they exit the classroom is dreaming. My mother was a teacher, and I can remember many nights when she was loaded down over a stack of term papers or tests that climbed half-w-ay to the I lot father a ate tuna of and brother and casserole because my mother celling. My brought her Job home with her. Beyond the dedication, who has a greater responsibility than teachers? No other profession literally has the opportunity to change the world that teachers have. It Is an awesome responsibility and one that needs to be regarded with great respect. Next to their parents, teachers can have a greater influence on children than anyone. Anyway, In spite of growing support for education, the Governor and the Legislature chose to refund the surplus revenues that have apparently been burning holes In the States pockets. For a family earning $30,000 a year, the refund would amount to about thirty dollars or one of their gross Income. For a wealthy family earning $500,000 a year, the refund would come to almost $1,300, a percentage of return that Is 2 12 times greater than the middle income family. Whichever Income bracket one falls In, the refund Is still a drop In the bucket Its almost meaningless. I can blow thirty dollars In about 3 minutes. The fear among many taxpayers Is that their hard-earn- ed tax dollars are spent on fail to serve that Government feasts on needlessly anybody. projects I sometimes wonder how the whole and barrels and pork boondoggles thing stays afloat It's a disease that cuts across all stratas of government When I worked for the Park Service, I once saw the government spend $28,000 to build a tiny cinder block building; it was so small, I could touch all 4 walls without moving. Its sole purpose was to house a small pump, some pipes, and a 50 gallon barrel of chlorine $28,000. But when we asked for funds to hire another GS-- 4 seasonal ranger, the standard reply came back: sorry, no money. What about the $28,000 pump house? Answer: different account High School Principal Tom Martin cited the same problem last month IZeohvr Interview, October). His capital outlay account allows him to spend as much as the football field, but he doesnt have enough money to hire a $40,000 to re-h-ab counselor; the money Is there, but once again its In the wrong account In one-thousan- dth - Gnluijc. ttth nm &. Quality Realty, Inc. 59 S. Main Suite 4 haf uays off making you buy Ve suzan martin sales associate So how do we get the money to go where we want? One thought occurred to me last week as I stumbled across an old state Income tax return in one of my typically disorganized drawers. For those taxpayers lucky enough to receive a refund, one has the opportunity to donate a portion of their refund to the animal conservation program. If s Department of Wildlife Resources for non-ga- me as easy as checking a box and designating an amount Why cant we add a second box for education? It could be targeted for teacher salaries and those expenditures that directly benefit the students. Taxpayers, for once, would have the opportunity to designate the way their money Is spent and we would know once and for alt Just how committed the citizens of Utah are about education. And It's strictly voluntary. This Is by no means the ultimate solution to the problem. Many will grumble that they pay enough taxes already, without making an additional contribution out of their meager refunds. And the point Is well taken. What Is really needed In this state Is a of Its budget What Is really Important and what can we do without? (I personally could do without any more paved roads.) But something has to be done now. Even If the Legislature directs more money toward education when It convenes In January, the refund donation box could only help. And right now, education and educators need all the help they can geL Im on the subject of taxes ("Hey, I gotta uncle lives In Texas" "No, I'm talking about money, dollars!" "Yeah, Dallas! Dallas, Texasl) lost my mind for a momenL Those old Marx Brothers routines Sorry sometimes creep Into my consciousness and spill out on the page. That was Chico and Groucho, Duck Soup. Paramount Pictures, 1936. Anyway, as I was saying, while Im on the subject of taxes, I was the Interview with David Knutson (September), and paid special notice to a comment he made about funding the Book Cliffs Road. In part, he said: "We can get the other three milHon most likely from the legislature, because DOT wants the road put through. (But) If II have to be olven to us, no doubt about It" David, I dont care where the money comes from, It still Isnt free. It wont be "given to us. One way or the other, well pay. Government levies taxes to pay for Its expenditures. When it doesnt generate enough revenue to pay the bills, it has to borrow money, just like you and me. Look at the federal deficit Weve all read the staggering statistics. In eight years, the federal government doubled the national debt What it took this country to do In almost 200 years, Ronald Reagan did In eight A trillion dollars In less than a decade. While re-rea- ding United Cable Television of Moab 89 No. Main 259-813- 6 TOYS FOR TOTS starts November 27 Free installation to Basic Cable or any of our pay channels. Bring in a new toy valued at $10 or more, and receive a coupon worth $10 toward your cable bill. All purchases must be kept through the month of March to receive this credit. a |