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Show 4 f The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, March 11, 1973 i An Innovative Session V ' I" ' - 1 I t, Legislature Cut Taxes, Flowed New Ground Continued From Page One lations for the tax changeover indicate generally those in lower income tax brackets will see asavings in their state tax returns and those in higher income brackets may have to pay slightly more to achieve simplification. Utah drivers will be required to buy minimum automobile insurance coverage for 1974 that would provide medical payments automatically out of an accident by the insurance company up to $2,000 for medical expenses, a maximum of $150 a week for a year for economic loss, plus a household allowance of $12 a day if house work cant be done and funeral and survivor benefits of 1,000 and $2,000, respectively $500. What it will do to insurance premium rates no one can accurately say. Modifying amendments opened the door for fewer provisions. no-fau-lt believe its workable, and it will at least give us a chance to analyze the matter, said Sen. E. LaMar Buckner, sponsor. (Associated legislation was also passed attempting to curb arbitrary cancellation of insurance policies and increasing the amount of bodily injury liability coverage that Utah drivers must purchase.) Criminal Code new criminal code, representing four years of study and contained in a bill, was cleared with new provisions for penalties and classes of crimes, and for such subjects as capital punishment, abortion, child abuse, dealing in stolen property and control of pore nography. Backed ,by an interim study in attempting to further equalize opportunity for public education in the state, a major school finance bill containing the biggest annual financial increase ever was passed with a wholesale revamping of formulas used in distributing money to local school districts. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises coming out of the legislature was the fact that no constitutional amendments were proposed to be placed on the 1974 general election ballot. Amendments Fail Lawmakers, feeling no pressure to act on the matters with a budget session and a possible special session due before the election, let proposed amendments go vote neo under for the lack of essary, largely due to partisan maneuvering seeking a trade-of- f in votes. Lost was a proposed Executive Article revision, providing for a lieutenant governor, which had been studied and two-thir- proposed by the Constitutional Revision Commission. Also failing were Gov. Calvin L. Ramptons proposed amendments for a "Residential Greenbelt" law to permit lower assessment of residential prope commercial areas, and erty in to permit mortgages for industrial and recreational developments as a stimulus to business development. Other Proposals Die high-valu- d i Other measures dying w itiiin the legislature were the proposed purchase of a wildlife preserve from Deseret Livestock Co. (abandoned for a study), ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, manpower planning revision, a landlord-tenan- t act, Great Salt Lake regulatory legislation and allowance for a agency shop for labor unions. All but the Deseret purchase were recommended by the governor. But bills expanding state authority for inspection of mine safety and occupational health and safety inspections were enacted, as recommended, to permit the state to retain administration without such matters being taken over by the federal government. Transit Assistance Lawmakers provided assistance to the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake's metropolitan' bus service facing extinction with abandonment permit some liquor profits to keep the bus system alive and also allow a countywide vote on more permanent and expanded financing from a property tax. Bills Will will be able to have studded tires during the winter time, with a $1 tax cost per studded tire jirj 1 i I I New Ventures Okayed 1 t Some new ventures approved by the legislature included establishment of a Provo-JordaRiver Parkway Authority, a Utah American Bicentennial Commission to commemorate 1976, and a Judicial Council with a state administrator and staff to seek uniform administration and records for all courts in the state, perhaps a step toward a unified court t n system. i The Parkway Authority was given a first year appropriation of $3 million, and the sponsois of the legislation expect most of that money, to be matched partially by Salt Lake County, to be used to acquire property for the eventual construction of two small dams and reservoirs in the southern part of the county. Utah liquor profits will go toward operation of Utah Transit Authority buses beginning July 1, It would be the first major step in what sponsors see as a many-year- , project to clean up river pollu- Lake County to add continuing support of the Salt Lake Valleys bus services. Solons Give Nod To SI Million Utah Public Transit Finally Sells tion and provide flood control to reclaim areas along the rivers for recreation. Another legislative nificant increase in mens compensation disease compensation benefits for injuries result of work. then the people will decide in November, 1974, whether to levy a two mill increase in Salt Good Mystery Story Project g action saw a sigthe states workand occupational laws. Both provide or deaths as the Benefits were boosted from 60 to 66 percent of average weekly wage, but more important, for the first time unmarried widows would be able to get benefits for life, and for dependents until 18 years old, and to collect all Social Security benefits as well as the state compensation. Solons Okay Laws On Womens Lib By Clark Lobb Tribune Political Writer Meanwhile, back on the House floor, Lake City, Rep. Lorin N. Pace, As in most good mystery stories, the handled some maneuvering of his own. solution wasn't revealed until the last few He lifted the premise of SB88 and placed it in a killed bill, HB297, changed it to a pages. per capita distribution of liquor profits The problem was not whether to proand got the bill through with a $2 million vide financial assistance to Utah Transit designation. Authority, but, rather, how to do it. The Senate refused to accept that There were three bills with possible aniount and finally succeeded in having answers SB88, which would have disthe figure set at $1 million with distributributed $1 million in state liquor profits tion still on a per capita (all counties) only to counties with public transit sysbasis. This meant $400,000 or more for tem (Salt Lake County); SB89, levying UTA. two mills in counties with transit disSB89, the mill levy bill, and HB41, tricts, and HB41, Rep. Samuel S. Taylors Sams bill, awaited action. At one highly publicized and propoint Rep. Pace asked for the lifting of posal to hike the sales tax a quarter of a SB89 to kill it, but changed his mind and cent in such counties with the approval of finally brought it out for passage with an the voters with the proceeds going for fithe idea would important stipulation bus system. be put before the voters at a special or nancing a fare-fre- e general election. The Senate concurred Pass HB41 and HB41 was to die in Senate sifting. The Senate passed SB89 and (lie It was a bitter pill for Sam Taylor House let it languish in committee. The and he was not able to conceal his disapHouse passed HB41 and the Senate held pointment. He collared several who had it. voted for the alternative SB89 and, he Six separate attempts were made in the House mostly, but not entirely, by Democrats to bring SB89 onto the floor and kill it on the premise this Reuters News Agency would force the Senate into accepting A British cruise liner in LONDON Rep. Taylors bill. The Sait Lake City of Biscay Saturday reported a Democrat worked feverishly on saving the Bay fire on board and called on other ships to the measure during the final days, butstand by to help if neeaed. But a few tonholing lobbyists, representatives, 10,427-tonewsmen and just about anyone else who hours afterwards the ship, the call. its distress canceled Blenheim, would listen. lt much-debate- d Although lawmakers spurned ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment early in the session, the Utah Legislature did approve a series of laws affecting discrimination against women. Among them were bills doing away with any limitations on hours that women may work and to specify that equal pay should be given for equal work. The civil rights law was amended to direct there be no sex bias in public accomendation or by firms regulated by the state, such as banks, insurance companies or utilities. A law was clarified to do away with limitations on women handling estates. Cruise Ship Afire, n said, learned many had voted for the bill thinking the Senate would pass HB41 and leave it up to the voters to decide which financing plan was best. UTA Pleased The eventual outcome pleased UTA. Were confident the voters will support the two mill levy at the next general election, said William L. Fields, UTA president, adding there would not be a special election. When subsidization of the bus company was put to a vote in Salt Lake County, the lowest support we received from the south end was and support in Salt Lake City was as high as He said the liquor money likely will not be enough to support operations untif the 1974 election. We may have to sit down w ith the county communities w hich have been helping us and ask them to continue support until the people decide about the mill levy, the official said. two-to-o- nine-to-on- Ironically, a House conference committee had fully intended to hold out for a $2 million liquor disbursement, but William D. Oswald, UTA legal counsel, had told another joint committee the bus company would be content with the lower figure. That settled that. Well trust the peoples judgment, Mr. Fields said, and work with the liquor money plus matching funds from the communities. I think were going to be able to work things out just fine. Publisher on Road Commission Senate Votes Approve Rampton Appointments new member the State Road Commission was included in several gubernatorial appointments confirmed by the Utah Senate just before adjournment of the Utah Legislatures general session early Friday. of A Samuel J. Taylor, publisher of the Moab Times Independent, was appointed to the road commission to replace Francis Feltch, Vernal, who has served on the commission since 1957. Former State Senator Mr. Taylor, a former Republican state senator for seven years, was confirmed for a term expiring in 1979.. Ross H. Plant, Richmond, was reappointed for a similar term by the governor. new appointments were confirmed for the State Board of Corrections, including John P. O'Keefe, former general manager of the Utah Division, Kennecott Copper Corp., and Milton J. Hess, Farmington attorney. They were appointed to terms expirTwo ing in 1977. Other Choices Utah drivers juu- i With final approval, persons who buy 1 will register their vehicles within the month they acquired the car on an annual basis. Those who dont change cars will continue to license them during January and February. 1 - y I vehicles after July Partial of local subsidy. f I charged dealers. Another law will allow motorists to register and license their cars on a staggered monthly basis instead of all at once. The legislation is only partial because property damage claims will be handled as they are now, and law suits may continue to be sought for more damages out of severe accidents and in cases where medical benefits exceed A w-- r Other reappointments to state positions included Paul Fordham, Pleasant 'itia - jrrLT-Lru- Grove, and R. Milton Yorgason, Ogden, as state tax commissioners; Hal S. Bennett, Salt Lake City, public service commissioner; Stephen M. Hadley, Salt Lake City, industrial commissioner, and W. Smoot Brimhall, commissioner of financial institutions. Following are other gubernatorial appointments in which the Senate advised and consented to as required by law: Board of Water Resources Marion Olsen, Paradise; Edward Southwick, Ogden; Wendell Anderson, Grantsville; David Sam, Duchesne. State Lands Board Board of State Lands Phillip Christensen, Provo; Whitney Floyd, Logan; Kenneth A. Middleton, Cedar City. They also serve as members of the Board of forestry and Fire Control. Board of Oil and Gas Conservation Robert Norman, Moab; Guy Cardon, Logan; James P. Cowley, Salt Lake City. Board of Wildlife Resources Paul G. Stringham, Vernal; Leland Swaner, Salt Lake City; Leslie J. Anderson, Manti. State Course-of-Stud- y Commission McRay Cloward, Cedar City; Dorothy B. Watkins, Ogden; Edna Ericksen, Salt Lake City; Dr. Eugene Garcia, Salt Lake City; Joyce Craig, Midway. Advisory Council Advisory Council for Schools for the Deaf and Blind James E. Ferguson, Provo; Norman L. Fay, Salt Lake City;. Ned C. Wheeler, Ogden. Board of Industrial Promotion H. Dee Hutzley, Ogden; Loren C. Dunn, Salt Lake City. Board of Aeronautics Glenn W. Adams, Ogden; Stewart L. Ashton, Vernal; Jerome H. Mooney, Salt Lake City. Board of State History Juanita Brooks, St. George; Helen Z. Papaniko-las- . Salt Lake City; Milton C. Abrams, Smithfield; Elizabeth Skanchy, Midvale. Expositions Board Board of Expositions L. Ray Robinson, Logan; James Young, Salt Lake City; Marwin F. Warren, Springville; Jesse Conover, Ferron. Board of Mental Health Thurman, Salt Lake City. , m Mae Reed- er, Ogden: Shirley Olmstead, Mt. Pleasant; Harold Pope, Bountiful; William T. m - Board of Family Sendees Jerry Crouch, Ogden; Bruce J. Parsons, Murray; William L. Price, Salt Lake City; Clarence Miller, Cedar City. Winn L. Richards, Board of Health Ogden; William C. Crockett, Salt Lake City; Helene P. Williams, Holladay; Dr. William H. Hale, Logan. Board of Parks and Recreation Harold B. Lamb, Salt Lake City. Safety Board Passenger Tramway Safety Board Roy C. Nelson, Ogden, and James Quigley, Salt Lake City. Victor Kassel, Salt Board of Aging Lake City; Bruce A. Walter, Salt Lake City; Eldon T. Gray, Ogden. Board of Alcoholism and Drugs Alice Jensen, Orem; Dr. Ewart A. S Salt Lake City; L. Robert Simpson; Salt Lake City; George R. Edison, Salt Lake City. e A. State Retirement Board Higgins, Salt Lake City. J. Ralph Macfarlane, Others Ogden, Air Conservation Council; Paul Steven Penrod, Provo, Committee on Water Pollution; Morris Young, Midvale, Pesticide Control Committee. win-yar- Law-renc- In Exemptions More than $1 million in special tax ex- emptions were approved by the Utah Legislature. Leading the list was a bill increasing the amount of estate that can be exempt from the inheritance tax from $40,000 to $60,000, estimated to cost about $500,000 in state revenue. Sales tax exemptions were voted on laundry and dry cleaning sendees and on food and beverage sales of less than 15 cents from vending machines. The loss in reenue was estimated at about $400,000. Jr. Tribune Staff Writer The - $648 million budget appropriat- ed by the Utah Legislature for state, spending in the coming fiscal year is at least $8 million more than Gov. Calvin L. Ramptons recommended figure. But when youre talking about that kind of money, he conceded that a 1.7 percent increase isnt significant. Assessing the competency of the 40th Legislature as the dust began to settle following Thursday's adjournment, Gov. Rampton said the body hard working" but "worked was more slowly" than legislatures have in the past. He attributed the slowdown to an inord.nate number of new makers in the House. "When youre new in the Legislature, it's hard to distinguish the voice of the people from the voice of pressure groups. That's why some important legislation such as the Land Use Bill w as never reached. disap- Rampton expressed pointment over the failure of a few other bills he had backed to be acted upon favorably. They included strip free textbooks mining, landlord-tenanin schools, the Great Salt Lake causeway and a package of election bills. Gov. t, The governor said he would probcut ably veto two bills that' would taxes because they were passed after the constitutionmidnight Thursday and al deadline for adjournment constitutional probinto run might lems. Id hate to dispense several - - million dollars under a possibly invalid act, he said. The bill to give each citizen an income tax credit of $6 can be rehandled in a special session this fall or in the budget session next January, he said. The bill to cut the state property tax from 4 6 to 1.6 nufls is not as critical, he added, because the tax udion can be handled administratively by the chief executive. Any bills do not that passed after midnight affect state government will be signed, the governor said, and it will be left up to the concerned parties to get a court decision on their constitutionality. The budget appropriation, if not a significant increase over the gover- - nors the 3 General government $34.7 mil- year, $43.8 million next year, an increase of 26 percent. Bonding lion this $6.3 million to $6 mil- commission lion, slight decrease. Public safety, $15 million to $13.2 million, a 13 percent decrease. Social seivices, $111.4 million to $123.3 million, up 11 percent. Public education, $167.3 million to $198.2 million, up 19 percent. Higher education, $99.6 million to $109.2 million, up 10 percent. Natural resources $23.8 million . up 55 $15.2 million to percent. Develop- ment services, $4.3 million to $4.8 lion, up 23 percent mil- ' Other Bills business reorganization and from pollution control devices that are installed by industry between now and 1980. . A new type of exemption from special fuel taxes was voted. Its cost isnt exact- ly known. It would permit propane-powerevehicles to qualify for a fuel tax exemption if buying a special license from the state. Sponsors urged the mea- sure to encourage use of the fuel considered low in pollutant emissions. . d 2 Tax Changes At the county level, there were a couple of tax changes. One was to remove the enabling legislation permitting a county option tax of $5 on each vehicle ; . registered. The other allowed for an increase in the abatement from property tax of $50 to $100 for the elderly poor. The law expanded those who can qualify to persons at least 65 with property valued less than $20,000 and whose annual income less than $3,500 if single or $4,000 if mar- ried. And a new provision was included to permit counties to forego tax payment entirely from indigents if they can't pay the tax and a lien is placed on the property to assure eventual payment by heirs or by new owners if the property is sold. Legislature Reports Stand on Abortion By resolution, the Utah Legislature took a stand to reverse two issues drawaboring considerable public attention tion and a University of Utah department merger. A Senate resolution directed that until, further study there shouldn't be a merger of the College of Mines and Mineral Industries with the College of Engineering at the university. In a House resolution, the legislature called upon Congress to propose a federal constitutional amendment to permit states to provide their own abortion laws in a rebuff of the U.S. Supreme Court decision liberalizing the opportunity for abortions. -- increase or decrease between 1972-7and 1973-7fiscal years: , Other bills exempted the sales tax from motor vehicles transferred in a mm recommendation, reoresents a healthy jump over the present fiscal year. Excluding $8 million budgeted this session for a new Utah Technical college at Provo and $3 million for the Jordan River Parkway, the $640 million operating budget for the state next year is an 11.5 percent increase over the $566,271,400 for the present fiscal year ending June 30. The biggest hikes are in building allocations and the up 62 percent Department of Natural Resources for parks improve- up 55 percent ment and new building projects. The following figures reflect the present fiscal budget, followed by the governor's recommendation for next year, followed by the legislatures: appropriation and the percentage of; ; d - $648 Million State Budget Tops Ramptons Proposal by $8 Million By Max B. Knudson , Highway department, $104 million to $103.8 million, down .2 percent. Building Board, $8.5 million to $13.6 million, up 62 percent. The funding from the estimated $51,258,080 surplus at the end of this fiscal year has been broken up as follows: one-tim- e Building Board schedule Jordan River Parkway $3 million; Utah Technical College at Provo $8 million; Parks and recreation $10 million; wildlife resources $800,000; Critical school building aid $5,500,000, Higher education working capital $830,000; State archivist $120,700; Alcoholism and drugs $45,000; Great Salt Lake study $75,030; Insurance reserve $125,000: cushion to be left" $3 million. $13,292,000; " |