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Show Signpost Tuesday, July 7, 1987 O Guest editorial PRO and CONsensus (Photos and Interviews: Jeff Bybee) Legislators are interested in youth, education, in Utah Do you think tho Legislature has education's best interest in mind? U Wm. Rolfe Kerr Utah Commissioner of Higher Education As our colleges and universities have prepared to implement their operating budgets for fiscal year 1987-88, an important realization has become quite clear. Four months ago the Utah Legislature acted in the finest tradition of reponsible statesmanship to take the most difficult action legislators are called upon to take. They raised our taxes! They raised our taxes in an honest effort to preserve the quality of public and higher education systems in this state. They joined the Governor in placing their political futures on the line for what they knew to be right, not what they thought was politically expedient. Some legislators are now receiving from their constituents what you wouldn't exactly call "thank-you notes." Legislators and the Governor are being attacked with haughty letters to the editor, angry telephone calls, and signatures on tax limitation petitions. Some Utah citizens seem to be saying, "We want quality education for our children and our growing school-age population, but we don't want our taxes increased to pay for it." The vast majority of our citizens are not saying that, and I believe they are standing solidly behind government leaders for the actions they were willing to take. I am convinced that eventually even the harshest critics of the Legislature and the Governor will come to see that their actions were in the best interests of the people of Utah, as children, young adults, and an increasing number of older adults are provided quality education in the state's public schools, colleges and universities. Thank-you notes may have to come in future history books and not in today's newpapers. We should all recognize that the tax increases of this past legislative session did not even replace the losses in revenue incurred by the downturn in our economy. We know that many of the individuals, businesses and industries shouldering the pains of those economic downturns are also called upon to carry the burden of the tax increases. I believe, however, that we consider the burden to be a privilege because we know that dollars spent today for education will pay off, not only with a well-educated populace and well-prepared work force, but with a stronger economy. As Adam Smith said a century ago, "The skill, dexterity, and knowledge of a nation's people is the most powerful engine of its economic growth." This describes the teaching, research, and training missions of our schools and institutions of higher education. I believe that this was the motivating influence that prompted the Legislature and Governor to lead out and act as they did when their personal and political instincts would have had them do otherwise. The Utah System of Higher Education is trying to say thanks, not with words, but with actions, by seeking maximum efficiency and effectiveness with every tax dollar we spend. Our 94-percent budget reduction and reallocation experience last fall is perhaps the most dramatic evidence of this quest. Our Governor and our legislators stood tall and were willing to have their voices heard and their votes counted. At their most recent meeting, the State Board of Regents and the presidents of all nine colleges and universities unanimously resolved to formally commend the governor and the Legislature for doing what was right not just what was politically expedient. I hope that we and all the citizens of this state can be as statesman-like, far-sighted, and courageous in the months ahead. ( i - 4 - 1 1 "The state legislature's sole goal appears to be to keep Utah within a social and economic boundary which they can control, and by doing this keep the ignorance level high which reduces the importance of education, and keeps them in office." Tom Farley Junior Ogden, Utah ir ' . a : "Yes, I believe the legislatures are doing their best to help those of us pursuing an education. Throughout most of the state of Utah we are faced with financial problems in education and our legislatures are continuously trying to find an answer." Cherise Breitweiser Junior Ogden, Utah "I think they have their budgets in mind more than education." Bob Bybee Junior Roy, Utah "No, & lot of times I feel they are thinking of the budget and balancing it is more important than the investment of education."Garry Hunter Sophomore Ogden, Utah "They genuinely have everyones best interest in mind. But they can't do everything for everyone." Linda Berlin Graduate Ogden, Utah i I "I don't think so. Especially after the budget cut, a lot of instructors have left, and the new ones have less experience in teaching. Meanwhile the fees we pay have gone up." Sadig Rizavi Senior Karachi, Pakistan New advertising law has no future in USA Jolet Olsen Advertising Manager "Without advertising, a terrible thing would happen. . .nothing." This is what a commercial says about advertising, and it is by all means true. Advertising is a necessity for any form of media to exist, including radio, tv, magazines, and even newspapers. Advertising provides information to consumers and is a way for companies to promote their product or service. Advertising is free information, and it is an example of freedom of speech. An advertising tax has been proposed in various states. It has already been passed in Florida, where it went into effect on July 1. The tax is determined by the percentage of advertising audience a particular state has. For Florida, this means a 5 percent tax must be paid by advertisers in addifcn to the cost of the advertisement. This tax has been proposed for Utah. There are many possible results of having a tax on advertising, and they all eventually lead to the same conclusion a lower economy for the state. For example, many major national companies will pull their advertisements out of the state, or they will make a substantial cut of the advertising dollars they spend in that state. This has already been done in Florida by companies such as Wrigley's, and Her-shey Foods Corporation. This would only be the beginning. Smaller local companies-the "Mom and Pop" merchants would be hit the hardest. This tax would make it very difficult for them to continue advertising. Also, what about new companies introducing their product? They wouldn't be able to advertise much, if at all. Without advertising, their revenues would be lowered, and eventually so would the economy of the state. An alternative these merchants have would be to raise the price of their product or service to compensate for the increase in advertising costs. This would be placing the burden of the tax on the public. Wouldn't that also lower the economy of the state? The possibilities are endless. There would probably be a downgrade in the quality of the media, or in the quality of the product. This is in addition to the potential downgrade in the ad itself. Not to mention the number of jobs that would be lost in the advertising industry, as well as in the various fields of the media. Again, this leads to a lower economy statewide. Isn't that defeating the purpose? In Florida, where the tax has already been accepted, there has already been a negative affect on the economy. This tax would be more of a detriment than a benefit to any state that it was passed in; especially Utah. |