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Show revenue losses created by residential exemptions is to ignore the high ad-minstrative ad-minstrative cost of implementing the 1979 property tax rebate program, i 'The proposed new amendment does not correct the absurd underassessment un-derassessment of metalliferous mining . claims not in production. The amend-i amend-i ment calls for continuing the assessed ; value of such claims at $5 per acre. (After Jan. 1, 1935, the Legislature had the power to increase this maximum but they have not done so.) "The objectionable provisions of the amendment far outweigh a couple , of excellent provisions. In the 1982 election elec-tion the voters should be given the opportunity to approve an amendment that would provide for a truly fair and equitable property tax." Earl A. Hanson Secretary, Utahns for Tax Reform Cedar City Attorney General The protestations of Attorney General Hansen notwithstanding, I find it impossible to generate any confidence con-fidence that his office "cares about what is going on in Iron County." Well, maybe they care just a little during these weeks before the election. In spite of land subdividers flagrant violations of the Utah Code, it was made abundantly clear to me, while I served as a planning commissioner, that there would be no attempt by the Attorney General's Office either to enforce the law or prosecute violators. The 1973 Land Sale Practices Act was designed to protect the public from unscrupulous subdividers. Unfortunately, Un-fortunately, there is no one at the state level inclined to apply it to Iron County. Had there been enforcement of that law, we would not have a multitude of sub standard subdivisions, and a few promoters would no longer be running around loose. During these weeks of feigned interest in-terest in our area, perhaps we could get some committments from the Attorney General and his office that we too will be served. Florence Wofram Cedar City Letters To The Editor Presidential poem To The Editors: Carter is inept and his leadership is weak, He is struggling to climb but can't reach the peak. The job is too big, and he lacks the expertise, and there is brother Billy and the federal police. The Cabinet and Congress can't figure things out, And the intellectuals and broadcasters criticize and shout. Wonky Ronald "W" eagan is a willing man, And wishes to be president and thinks he can. He is pragmatic, a fair actor, and dying to try, As governor he doubled taxes and should not lie. His ' morals are questionable, his integrity too. He is liked by his Party, so what can we do? It must be acknowledged, things are in a mess, The inflation and unemployment unem-ployment are not easy to assess. The major candidates are like Tweedle Dee and Tw9dle Dumby, And say, "Vote for me, and I will give you some money," Isn't it a shame we can't get better men? But if the Lord will help them, I will say Amen. J.C. Croft Orem, Utah Thanks baseball officials I would like to express my gratitude to all those people who have made our baseball program so effective. As a parent and Cedar City Citizen, I give many thanks for the high caliber of leadership which made it possible for hundreds of our children to take part in ' the minor, little, and senior Little League programs in 1980. Although I cannot list all those who should be mentioned, may I pay special tribute to Dean Pearson, Kimball Weaver and Greg Nielson who were presidents of the Senior, American and National Little Leagues, respectively. The past two weeks, ' Cedar City hosted several Little League playoffs and championship tournaments. They wer beautifully done, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of people, especially field managers, umpires and scorekeepers. of special notice was the beautiful condition of the playing fields. A great effort by Steve Steffensen and his grounds keepers. Thank you all! Kent E. Myers , Cedar City. Proposition No. 2 is the only proposed amendment to the constitution that involves taxation. Utahns for Tax Reform has submitted opposing arguments for voter information. Following is the text of Proposition No. 2, the Revenue and Taxation Revision: "Shall Article XIII of the State Constitution be amended to allow the Legislature to exempt primary residences and personal property from preperty tax ; to allow the legislature to reimburse local governments for any reduction in revenue caused by exemptions of primary residences or personal property; to all the Legislature to establish a property tax on municipal property located outside of the municipality's own boundries; to exempt property owned by nonprofit organizations used for religious, charitable, hosptial, education, employee em-ployee representation or welfare purposes; to exempt livestock; to allow local government to share tax and other revenues; to remove the 75 percent ceiling upon the amount the state may fund for the public school program; and other organizational changes in the Revenue and Taxation Article." Arguments in opposition submitted for voter information are as follows: "The present exemptions under Article XIII already prevent Utah from having an equitable property tax. There should be a reduction of these rather than an addition of six non-profit categories. "The amendment provides that the Legislature could give toatl exemption exemp-tion to primary residences, property, tax is an important source of revenue for cities, counties and school districts and should not be tampered with by the Legislature in this way. As exemptions increase, the burden becomes greater on those who must pay the tax. To say that increases on business can easily be absorbed by business is to ignore the affect on consumers who must pay the resulting higher prices. "To say that the Legislature may reimburse local governments for Tax propositions The lack of interest in propositions on the November ballot reported in last weeks Iron County Record will hopefully change regarding the three tax issues. Initiative Proposal A calling for the elimination of the state sales tax on food is supported by the League of Women Voters and the Utah State Coalition of Senior Citizens. Initiative Proposal B would gear property taxes to 1977 assessment levels and limit increases to 2 percent annually. An opposition view for. voter information has been written by R. Milton Yorgason, Salt Lake County assessor. n |