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Show ! CR LIT C UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION 467 E. 300 SO. SIX, UT a 4 HI CO MP TP vernal Sff! When the Utah Legislature convenes con-venes Jan. 14, 1985 things will be different. dif-ferent. The main difference will be a Republican governor, fresh from the pomp and ceremony of taking the oath of office. But even though Gov. Scott Matheson will not be in office during dur-ing the Legislative session, his budget proposals will be there. Governor-elect Norman Bangerter will deliver the budget address to the Utah Legislature, but Gov. Matheson under Utah statues is required to complete the budget prior to that time. Bangerter has requested that Gov. Matheson complete the budget, however Bangerter may change it. The fiscal year 1985-86 budget was the first opportunity Gov. Matheson has had in six years to realistically address the state's fiscal needs. During Dur-ing the governor's first two years in office, Utah's economy was growing, and he recommended significant budget increases to accommodate growth. During the next five years the state was plagued either by sluggish slug-gish economic growth or recession. Matheson's total budget proposal is $2.6 billion, an 11.4 percent increase over fiscal year 1984-85. His budget includes no tax increases because of the projected economic growth for the state. Gov. Matheson supports an 8 cents increase in the state cigarette tax to fund health prevention programs. WR cautious, optimistic of Jan. 1 opener With the first ever year-round fishing season opening Jan. 1, the Division of Wildlife Resources officials of-ficials are cautiously optimistic about fishing prospects. Cautious because winter fishing (specifically ice fishing) is something new for most Utah anglers, requiring different techniques techni-ques and a basic awareness of ice fishing safety. Optimistic because many of Utah's lakes, reservoirs and streams will likely offer better fishing in the winter and early spring than in the summer. Although it is anybody's guess where the hotspots will be, Division fisheries biologist Glenn Davis has pinpointed "promising" sites. Among them: Scofield, Panguitch, Otter Creek and Joe's Valley reservoirs, reser-voirs, along with the traditional big summertime draws, Strawberry and Soldier Creek. Fish Lake is also targeted as a potential winner. Northern Utah possibilities include Newton Reservoir, in Cache County and Bear Lake. Although Bear Lake has been open year round for a long time, Davis says it is still one of the best winter fisheries in the state. The Blacksmith Fork and the Logan River, often unfishable due to high runoff on the traditional summer openers, should offer excellent fishing for trout and whitefish during the winter months, according to Davis. There may be some problems at Strawberry and Soldier Creek because the Bureau of Reclamation will begin equalization of the two reservoirs Jan. 4. "Strawberry Reservoir will drop three to six feet, while Soldier Creek Reservoir is expected to rise ten to thirteen feet; the process of equalization equaliza-tion will take place over of period of two to three months," said a Bureau of Reclamation spokesman. Along with the new season comes a new fishing proclamation. This year's edition has had a face-lift, and Davis says it should be a lot easier to understand than the old one. Proclamations Pro-clamations are available now at most sporting goods stores throughout the state and at all Division of Wildlife Resources offices. Davis advises anglers to read the new proclamation carefully before going afield. Of particular importance impor-tance are winter trout limits, which differ in some areas. Continued on page 2 Since the federal tax is slated for an 8 cent reduction Oct. 1, 1985, there will not be an overall increase in the cigarette tax. Matheson's budget is predicated on the assumption that Utah's economy will grow throughout 1985, but at a rate slower than 1983 and 1984. Key recommendations of Matheson's budget include $120 million in new state appropriations for public and higher education which will support the full costs of growth, $18.9 million for an expansion expan-sion of the career ladder program, and $8.6 million for a one-time 2 percent per-cent salary increase for teachers, counselors and other classroom per sonnel. Matheson's education budget also includes $5.8 million for class size reduction, $1 million for programs for gifted and talented students, and $2.3 million for education of the handicapped. han-dicapped. For higher education, his budget allocates $7.8 million for faculty and staff salary equity, $3.1 million for library acquisitions and equipment on a one-time basis, $3 million for new programs, $7.4 million in increase in-crease for the Division of Corrections and $5.3 percent increase for state employees. A new governor and Republican dominated Senate and House cast large doubts on whether Matheson's budget recommendations will hold up, a fact that has frustrated Matheson in past budget proposals. Rep. Gayle McKeachnie, majorit whip district 56, said that a big issue of the Legislature will be answering the question, "How do yon increase economic development in the state?" Economic development in the state was a key issue of the Bangerter campaign as a way to not increase taxes and provide services. "I expect the new governor will zero-in on where dollars are going out of the state, and will emphasize development of present businesses," McKeachnie said. v. 1 U u, I El.'. LJM.MUM.1. I I Wi ifirimnii 30-POUND Mackinaw trout was hauled in by Gary Merrell of Vernal who was fishing with his brother-in-law at Flaming Gorge. The fish measures 42 inches and was caught on the Wyoming side, Dec. 23. "P3) ((u ((U J Most legislators agree that education educa-tion will again be a big issue. The move will be more money for programs that reward teachers and de-emphasize extra-curricular activities. ac-tivities. The legislature will also be facing three bills coming out of committee which will increase wildlife license fees from 15 percent to 80 percent. The combination license would be raised from $23 to $35 and the general fishing license would increase from $10.50 to $18. Conservation easements and an in-stream in-stream flow bills were accepted in concept by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, but were sent back to its staff to address a few specific problems. The idea of conservation con-servation easements is to guarantee access to lands for wildlife purposes without having to buy the land. The concept of instream flows is to insure that streams do not become so low as to kill aquatic life and destroy fish habitat. Another controversial bill coming from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will a requirement require-ment that public utilities share in the transmission of power, provided that it does not prove to be a detriment to the owner of the lines. The committee's concern about power utilities developed over the monopoly that Utah Power and Light has on the transmission of power throughout the state. . The Legislature will also consider allocating the anticipated budget surplus. The surplus was generated by increased economic development in the state. Since -the surplus is a. one-time thing, McKeachnie hopes the surplus will not go to programs that require continued funding. The Legislature will be in session until Feb. 26, 1985, in accordance with the new 45 days sessions. "Actually it is difficult to predict what will happen in the Legislature until we get there," McKeachnie said. "But with the governor and administration, ad-ministration, it will be interesting." 4 i " r . ' I ' ' 4 4 WEDNESDAY, January 2, 1985 Vernal, Utah 84078 92nd Year No. 105 24 Pages Single Copy 25' ';. -S.i-i,--- 1 nr. . v fv! ,: . SCOUTS participating in the 1984 John H. avalanche victim during one of the many skill Smith Klondike Derby, render First Aid to stations in the derby. Utah Foundation report on federal tax returns In the 1982 tax year, taxpayers in Vernal paid $18,447,000 in federal income in-come taxes and this sum averaged $2,863 for each federal tax return filed fil-ed last year. Facts on taxes in the communities and counties throughout the state of Utah were released by the Utah Foundation based on a study recently completed by the Utah State Tax Commission. According to the Foundation report, taxpayers in Vernal filed 6,443 federal income tax returns for the 1982 tax year and reported gross incomes totaling $136,253,000. The gross income in Vernal for that year averaged $21,147. Uintah County, Coun-ty, however only showed an average of $19,718. The statewide average for that year was $18,665. Duchesne County was more in keeping with the state total with an average income of $18,192. Daggett County was lower than the state totai with an average of $16,192. Carbon County had the highest average income that year of $22,840 and was closely followed by Emery with $22,381. Piute County showed in with the lowest average at $11,651 the closest county to Piute was Garfield with an average of $12,982. Community wise, Stansbury Park showed the highest average at $27,589. The lowest was Hildale at $6,866. Hildale is a small community located in Washington County along the Arizona border. For the state as a whole, Utahns paid $1,617,000,000 in federal and state income taxes on their 1982 earnings. earn-ings. The total reflects a decrease of approximately $12 million from the taxes paid in the previous year. One of the major factors in the reduced income tax burden, according accor-ding to the report, was the federal cuts provided for in the Federal Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. As a result of this act, federal income taxes paid by Utahns for the 1982 tax year were reduced by $33 million. The decrease in federal payments, however, was offset by the increase in state income taxes. Foundation analysts point out this makes the first time during the past 12 years that the percentage of gross income going for federal and state income in-come taxes has declined. Combined ; INSIDE $ Kidney stone removal .3 I Complaints over student loans 12 Predictions for 1985 13 'In the Good Ole Days 17 ; Winter sports 20 Referees take the heat 22 $ Editorial 2,3 Classified Ads .... 10-1 1 TV Guide ::: Obituaries 3 Expressions 1319 Two Ac v Inserts Public Notices 8,9 Sports 21-24 . 5-1 federal and state income taxes paid by Utahns amounted to 15.7 of gross income for 1982 tax year compared with 10.3 percent in 1981. In 1970 Utahns paid only 13.7 percent per-cent of their income into federal and state taxes. In 1974 the percentage increased slightly at 14.0 percent. One of the largest increases in the past 12 years was when the percentage percen-tage jumped from 14.2 percent in 1976 . to 15.0 in 1978. The report explains that the increase in-crease in the effective tax burden between 1970 and 1981 was the result of the progressive nature of federal and state income tax laws along with severe inflation experienced during this period. As incomes rose with inflation, in-flation, individuals and families were pushed into higher income tax brackets with larger share of such incomes in-comes being taken for taxes. In effect, ef-fect, this "bracket creep" place a heavier burden on such individuals and families without any actual improvement im-provement in their overall economic positions and without any legislative change in tax laws. Beginning in 1985, however, the federal income tax will be indexed for inflation to eliminate or lessen the bracket-creep problem. As a result, the ! rcentage of gross income going for federal income will remain fairly constant in future years. The study observes that the state income taxes will continue to be affected af-fected by the bracket-creep problem since they are not indexed for inflation. infla-tion. Most Utah taxpayers, however, now are in the highest state tax bracket. According to the report, a total of 550,727 Utahns filed income tax returns for the 1982 tax year. Of these, only 107,015 or 19 percent, reported an adjusted gross income for more than $30,000. More than 62 percent of the total federal income tax paid by all Utahns, however, was borne by this group of taxpayers earning ear-ning more than $30,000 per year in 1982. At the other extreme, 199,549 Utah taxpayers, or 36 percent of those filing fil-ing returns reported a gross income of $10,000 or loss in 19H2. The low-income low-income group paid only 2.9 percent of the total federal income taxes in Utah. i .... . ; i. 7 -i ...... J , V v4 V! 5-6 t i ' Skills shine at Klondike scout derby Many years ago men raced by means of dogs and sleds across the frozen wastes of Alaska in search of gold. Saturday district scouters simulated the "Klondike Days" during dur-ing the 1984 John H. Smith Klondike Run. Each patrol in the five Vernal Scout Troops participating in the event built a dog sleigh on which they carried all their gear for the derby. , At each station, Juneau, Fairbanks, Fair-banks, Polar Cove, Attu, Skagway and Kodiak, the patrols were called upon to perform a scouting skill. See Photos on page 3 Their reward were gold nuggets (candy) which they received in amounts proportionate to how well they performed. Skills tested at each station were orienteering, scout judging, emergency operation, First Aid and knot tying and rope rescue. At the skill stations, scouts did everything from starting a fire from flint and steel, rending First Aid to a avalanche victim, to rescuing a stranded sled. Thf sleighes were pulled by members of the patrols to each station. sta-tion. Most of the scouts spent the night at the Rod and Gun Club where the derby took place. Three Maeser patrols in Troop 231 took first, second and third place in the derby. According to Robert Oswald, district scouting director, the derby was named after John II. Smith, because of his contributions to scouting. "When there is something to be done he (Smith) is usually there and has someone there to get it done," Oswald said. Smith was honored during a brief closing ceremony of the derby, Each Scout was give a patch which featured some of the accomplishments ac-complishments of Smith in scouting and the out-of-doors. |
