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Show PACE 4 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY MAY 9, 1988 CAMPUS, CITY OFFER SUCCESSFUL BALANCE Gov. Norman Bangerter announced Wednesday that he would support a $50 million tax cut in 988. In his first public statement on the issue, Bangerter added that he wants rebate to Utah taxpayers due lawmakers to consider a to the surplus of funds collected from 1987 taxes. While educators cry that the rollback might destroy Utah's higher education system, support for the action appears to be growing with the public at large. The Thunderbirdhas discussed at length the rollback's possible effects on higher education. As government officials join in the rally for a tax cut, we must now address the grave consequences the rollback would hold for Utah's college towns, specifically Cedar City. The Festival City could very well become a ghost town if SUSC brings $27 million into Cedar City SUSC e annually, easinesses throughout southern Utah depend upon SUSC to provide employees and, perhaps more importantly, customers. SUSC's closure, a more realistic possibility now that Bangerter has voiced support for the rollback, would leave a significant void in cash register tills around town. By supporting the rollback, Cedar City residents would be condemning themselves to economic ruin. Admittedly, the closure of SUSC is an extieme possibility but other, more realistic effects would accompany a tax cut, specifically a 25 percent tuition increase. The personal finances of college students are shaky at best. An additional $75 tuition cost per quarter would drastically lessen the disposable income of SUSC students. Nearly 3,000 college students support Cedar City's merchants to the tune of about $9.3 million annually. Although tourism dollars make up for lost student revenue in the summer, many Cedar merchants still miss the income. With one of every 10 Iron County residents employed by the college, growth at SUSC is imperative to the healthy future of the community. Another of SUSC's contributions to Cedar City is less obvious, but just as significant. The cultural enrichment SUSC provides couldn't be obtained from any other community institution. Campus programs provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, while college facilities and events make Cedar City an attractive convention site and tourist stop. The symbiotic relationship between Cedar City and SUSC is threatened by the tax rollback initiative. A tax decrease will be detrimental to SUSC and erase the future of Cedar City. Cedar City merchants and residents should consider the future consequences of the rollback before making a hasty decision to pocket some change in 1989. 1 one-tim- e THE STUDENT NEWS AND VIEW'S OF SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE C EL)AK CITY, UTAH VOLUME 82, NUMBER 29 Editor Nicole Bonham Associate Editor Lisa lane Laird Copy Editor Mitch Connell Photo Editor Richard Engleman Sports Editor Tiftame Florence Entertainment Editor Dann Stewart Senior Staff Writer Betsy Thomas Production Manager Lynn S. Dennett Advertising Manager Chris Udy Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body oi Southern Utah State College and is not attiliated in any way with the College's department of communication. The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges. Letters must be submitted by noon Friday for inclusion in the following edition. The Thunderbird: editorial and advertising offices in SUSC Library 103. Mail at SUSC Box 7758. 9184, Cedar City, UT 84720. Phone (801) IT" L- -. ir- j;C n r DXQ. K1 Minimum wage increase defended by doing without some luxuries like eating and living indoors!! TO THE EDITOR: Last week's editorial opinion concerning the minimum wage hike qualifies for publication in the next Doublespeak Dictionary. Telling people that making more money is going to hurt them is absurd. Using The Thunderbird as a mouthpiece for corporate America and the Reagan administration is insulting to thinking people! The editorial avoided saying that a person working 40 hours per week at minimum wage makes $134 before taxes. A single parent could easily live on this amount By living in the street, one can avoid high rent costs. This seems to be a growing trend in the United States. Also, by foraging in dumpsters behind supermarkets a person can save a large part of this $134 per week. having to part with any more of their wealth. If the writer of last week's editorial wants to work for The current minimum wage is easy to live on, if you like the outdoors. Those of you who believe what the Reagan administration says are either naive or have very short The memories. corporate response to this issue has been very predictable. Of course corporations are going to oppose poverty level it is certainly your right. But please don't try to keep other people in poverty with you!! John L. Rhodes Thunderbird letters policy is explained The Thunderbird, as part of its responsibility to meet the needs of the students and the college, will print letters to the editor whenever they are received. The letters need not express any particular point of view, but they may not be libelous. The editors of The Thunderbird reserve tne right to edit or reject any letter for any reason at their discretion. Letters should be typed and include the writer's name, student number (if any) and telephone number. Only the name will be printed. Letters between 500 and 800 words receive priority attention. They should be submitted to The Thunderbird editorial office no later than noon on Friday to be considered for publication in Monday's paper. Readers are reminded that 'Access,' a recurring column, is available for opinion sharing as well, and The Thunderbird actively solicits lengthy articles for this space. |