Show J f By No Means a Cure Cureall all t HE Utah house of representativeS is s de- de deL I t. t hiding itself if it thinks that it has fax tax reform by passing the Jorgensen classified property tax amendment The need becomes all the greater now hOW for the legislature to fo provide a commission of experts to hiveS hiveS- t the whole problem of taxation in Utah and to r report port recommendations six months before the convening of the next legislature ture J. J The agitation for tax changes has led to toJ J particularly unsatisfactory situation The Jorgensen resolution proposes es to 10 turn over to the legislature the power to pass whatever taxation legislation it sees fit The llie constitution now requires that all property except ex- ex mines be assessed and taxed on an equal b basis sis sis' The Jorgensen bill would sweep this aside and permit the taxi of one class oJ of prop property t at one rate and other classes at other rites rates There would be no constitutional limitations on the tax powers of the legisla- legisla ture It is problematical how the senate will act on the classified property tax bill although although al- al though it is certain to meet stiffer opposition in the upper chamber than it did in the J house ouse which passed it 48 to 2 But even if passed by the senate wit the required two two- thirds majority and signed by the the proposed constitutional change must be voted upon by th the people of the state On three thre occasions namely in 19 t 1 J 6 and 22 the voters of Utah rejected the classified classified clas- clas property amendment at the polls There Therewa wa was a widespread sentiment aJ the elector dee elec- tor te that to permit general classification would be giving the legislature entirely too much power that it might lead to chaos that every legislative assembly would be under terrific pressure political and otherwise for tax favors Ate Are the chances much better of oft t the le amendment being passed on a fourth time to before the people Likely not But supposing the amendment was passed would the next legislature be prepared to adopt wholesale classification Of There is the grave danger in the legislators considering the amendment nt ac a c scheme If given the sweeping power provided in the proposed amendment the thet t legislature would be in a more serious dilemma dilemna na ma than now It would have the authority to turn the tax system upside but wouldn't have facts on which to base any reform Whether the amendment s passed or is killed by the senate or the people there remains remains re- re mains the need for a scientific Inquiry into Utah's tax problem Providing for such an tion is is' the greatest rea g-rea test tax nr asure that I A this legislature could pass |