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Show r WedNtsdiy, January 20, 1988 ChnofticU Paqc Five CSI: LEGISLATURE MUG 1 1 .2 ww,,,.;. .1 ' 11 v. 3 f i 5k , JftiJ run'' ,.fM i ' CHI . -- gf ! tcFi 4 sirw- -. j m i ,Jtl -- ? ' - iiii Utah's Legislature is playing to an empty house The contrast is a bit startling. Last year near this time, thousands of tax protesters voiced their disapproval of Gov. Bangerter's tax increase. This year, the tax protesters are busy gathering signatures and are working more behind the scenes. But their cause is still alive. Meanwhile, the Legislature is considering measures University of Utah students should be concerned about most importantly, a budget that doesn't even compare with what university administrators believe they need. So far, the budget consists of a mere 2.2 percent increase for higher education, a figure that will probably only go lower. And while tuition will probably rise and services will most likely decrease, the Capitol foyer remains suspiciously empty. If you alter a cliche, you capture the meaning: If an axe falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, the only ones who know it fell are those it hits. Taxes, education funding remain as hot issues Coalition wants tax cuts, but ASUU hopes to influence educators say it would hurt legislators with its lobbying By Higher education officials warn that Scott Hall Chronicle staff writer Utah legislators are once again battling with the state's budget, trying to balance the growing jequests of state agencies against shrinking funds. This year, however, they must do so in the shadow of another fight one led by tax protester Greg Beesley. Beesley, chair of the Tax Limitation Coalition of Utah, is working with radio personality Mills Crenshaw to place four initiatives on the 1988 ballot. If passed, two of those initiatives would cut local and state taxes sharply. "What we're trying to do is say to state officials, 'Look, we have no money. The economy is going downhill and we believe in economics.'" Lower taxes, stimulate Utah's business will said, Beesley new jobs. and create economy would cut taxes in two initiatives The would limit state initiatives ways. One of the supply-sid- e property taxes to three-quarte- rs of a percent. Some local governments and special districts would be hard hit by such a change because they rely heavily on property taxes for their funds. Salt Lake County would be affected most by the property tax limit, losing almost $30 million, or 54 percent of its budget. Granite, Jordan and Ogden school districts would each lose about 45 percent of their revenues. Salt Lake County libraries would also lose, having more that $3 million cut from their funds. The second half of the cuts could directly affect the University of Utah. "The People's Tax Reduction Act" would roll back the tax hikes voted into effect by last year's Legislature. That move would cut about $169 million dollars from the state's revenues. Beesley's plans will mean disaster for the state. Gail Norris, associate commissioner of budget and finance for the Board of Regents, said higher education would lose about $24 million if both initiatives were to become law. In an analysis titled "Disaster," Norris listed several ways the money could be cut from Utah's colleges. "You would have to close some things," Norris said. Simply trimming back in areas would not cut enough, he explained. After the past few years of lean budgets, there is little fat left to trim. "We would have to cut out whole major schools and colleges within the universities and Weber State College," Norris said. "Almost certainly one or more of the smaller colleges would have to be closed totally." Asked what he would cut out at the U. if his tax protest became law, Beesley said he was in no position to decide. "President Peterson has a big administration here," Beesley said. "If they can't figure out where the fat is, if they can't figure out where to cut back, that's a pretty poor reflection on him." He said that same principle applies across the state. "A half million people cannot that's the By Lori Bona Chronicle campus editor Although most of the issues the Legislature is considering during its 1988 session don't directly affect students at the University of Utah, ASUU hopes its lobbying and communication efforts will influence legislators as they debate issues concerning the U. as a whole. Since the beginning of fall quarter, members of ASUU's Public Affairs board have been working to establish a better relationship between legislators and U. students. Students have been calling, writing letters and meeting personally with state representatives to help them better understand the operations and financial status of the U. Flynn Andrizzi, board chair, said although the legislature is not considering many issues that directly concern students, it will be making important decisions affecting the U. Such issues include a proposed sales tax increase, animal research for the U. Animal Resource Center and the state budget for higher education. Andrizzi and his board began lobbying legislators early last year. Andrizzi felt early contact would eliminate the need to pester decide how to cut back representatives right before the session Legislature's job," Beesley said. In fact, Beesley said it may turn out no one has to make those decisions. Beesley said he believes the state's predictions of huge cuts in revenue are wrong, because state officials are not looking at how the tax reductions will make the business environment grow. "I think the tax cuts are going to increase the tax base," Beesley said. "This has been proven in four different situations in four see "taxes' on page ten began. "One thing you have to understand about a part-tim- e Legislature is that you lobby them before the session. Then, when they're in session, you follow through," Andrizzi said. While the Legislature is in session, Andrizzi and other students and members of ASUU will be at the Capitol almost every day, keeping close tabs on legislation that affects the U. "It's strategically-importa- nt that we're not up there hounding them all day, every day," Andrizzi said. When the legislators need a student opinion on certain issues, ASUU President Jacque Morgan will be called upon to testify on behalf of the U. students. Andrizzi said student opinion may be needed when the Legislature considers bills such as animal research overhead and the U.'s budget. "Issues that are not directly related to students in general still affect them, because they affect the university," Andrizzi said. Morgan said establishing good, relationships was ASUU's intentions when it began lobbying efforts early in the fall. ASUU will also be working with the administration on tracking important on-goi- ng legislation. Andrizzi said ASUU has been working hard with U. administrators and has received tremendous support for its lobbying efforts. "Bill Loos, who is the director of governmental relations, went to all of our legislative relations campaigns. And they are all very active in the sticker campaign (one of ASUU's campaigns to increase public awareness on the U.'s community influence)," he said. Andrizzi said Peterson is also actively involved in ASUU's efforts. For example, when ASUU brought him a roll of "I'm a student at the University of Utah" stickers, Andrizzi said Peterson tore open envelopes containing checks he'd already written out and placed stickers on each one. "He loves that campaign. He was thrilled about it," Andrizzi said. Although ASUU has the administration's support, both Andrizzi and Morgan stressed the importance of student support while the Legislature is in session, especially when the U. presents its budget Feb. 3. t |
