Salt Lake Tribune | 1995-02-25 | Page 4

The Salt Lake Tribune UTAH/NATION Saturday, February 25, 1995 A4 $1.g Billion Earmnarled for Schools, But Is It Enough? House Sen. Stephen Rees, history — $1.8 billion — butthe largest teachers union says schoolsstill got the short end of the pencil. After Gov. Mike Leavitt and Republican legislative leadership agreed on a $90 million property-tax cut Thursday, the joint executive appropriations committee came forward Friday with its budget recommendations. In addition to funding the minimum school program, capital outlay and uniform school fund, the committee funded ing Utah’s largestclasssizes in the nation. The teacher-student ratio is 1:24 here, and some priorities, people will stop coming and wewill classes have as manyas 40 students. growth ™@ $3 million for class-size reduction for kindergarten through fourth grades. $6.5 million for textbooks and instructional materials Oneof the hotly debated requests that was makecritically needed school improvements that, considering the relatively small costs, could have made hugedifferences,” said Lily Eskelsen, president of the Utah Education Association, which represents 85 percent of Utah's public schoolteachers. Eskelsensaid it is clear that lawmakers are acted,” said Rep. Marty Stephens, Tax Relief: R-Farr West, and House budget chairman. 1/3 of Utahns Won't Benefit With the four-step relief pack- age, a $100,000 homein Salt Lake County would be in line for a $45 cut But averagesdon’t tell the story well, because homeowners in most valley areas prebably will have their taxes increased. @ Continued from A-1 The entire $140 million tax-relief package will affect residents differently, depending on where theylive Salt Lake Countyresidents — and that accounts for half the state's population — are expected to see the smallest reduction on their 1995 property taxes. The reason is because of soaring real- estate values in Salt Lake County, and the related increasein taxes. “There would be huge increases if the Legislature hadn't Sales Tax: Utah Legislators OK Exemptions A $100,000 homein Salt Lake City’s east bench would average an estimated $187 increase next November after the tax cuts. Comparethat with a $579 boostif there werenocuts. In WestValley City, a $100,000 homeis expected to absorb a $13 increase. No tax relief would have meant a $356 increase. The bottom line on the tax cuts in other areas of Salt Lake County are projected to meanthe following for a $100,000 home’staxbill: main problem, added Leavitt Chief of Staff Charlie Johnson, is the loophole extendsto big-ticket federal projects. The Utah House approved HouseBill 391 restoring that exemption by 60-12, with supporters citing the tax’s hardship on schooldistricts. @ Continued from A-1 A majority of House members set aside about $7 million this year to fund sales-tax slashing bills so not all the proposals will becomelaw. The governorsaid Friday heis not pleased with attempts to restore loopholes closed in 1994. “I don’t like backtracking on what I thought were good decisionsat the time,’ Leavitt said. As to vetoing thebills, he said, “the extent of my resistance has yet to be determined.” He panned a $7.6 million salestax exemption on building materials purchased for government and school construction. The Troopers Branded Over also backed an exemption for health clubs and spas,costing the state more than $892,000 annually. Sponsoring Rep. Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said HB323 is meantto correct unintended taxation of health clubs from priorlegislation. But the bill brought a fiery outburst from Minority Assistant Whip Grant Protzman, D-North Ogden, “When is the feeding frenzy to appease every special interest in the universe going to end?" Protz- man asked. ‘We're in candy land and we're handing out exemptions to everybody.” Two dayslater, Excell got a call from Rep. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, who complained about the cow’s death. Hatch contends the incident was mishandled. “They more or Cow’s Death @ Continued from A-1 Unable to herd the stubborn bovine or locate the owner, Dunlap knewhe had to do something or a car would hit the cow. With the approval of his ser- geant, David Excell, Dunlap less took the law into their own hands,” Hatch said Thursday. Ina letter dated Feb. 7, Roberts wrote to Hatch equatingthe killing of his cow with “cattle rustling, stealing or thievery.’ “I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got [troopers] who can make these decisions,” Lt. Robert Flowers, who supervises 26 troopersin Beaver, Iron, Millard and Wash- called a butcher who destroyed the cow, which was pregnant, then “NowI'vegot two guysgetting ul- butchered it on the spot. cers over the thing.” Two hours after the incident, Dunlap got a call from the animal's owner, Ronald Roberts, who vented his anger over the death of his cow. Because the cow was branded and tagged, he said the state branding inspector should have been notified. Two weeks ago, UHP superin- iad “As far as budgets go, this has been a productive year,” he said. “One of the things I would like to have seen is $10.3 million in As they have throughout much of their march toward fulfillment of their Contract With America, Republicans imposed an impressive degree of party-voting discipline on their membersduring debate on the moratorium. Aidedbyseveral dozen moder- ongoing funds for textbooks.” duction. Estimates therecall for a $154 cut on a $100,000 home. Some lawmakers feared a tax revolt next winterif they allowed the value-driven tax increases to take effect withoutacting to blunt them. Leavitt and Republicanlegislative leaders joined arms Thursdayand called their plan the best andfairest that could be devised. But not everyone was enthralled with the plan. A bill im- taxes on purchases of regular authority to exempt routine rules and those whose interruption could pose an “imminent” threat to health or safety But whenit came to a possible interruption or cancellation of duck and goose hunting, a sport that engagestheinterest of 3 million hunters, the GOP leadership suddenly became flexible. An moratorium would not apply to hunting and fishing passed overwhelmingly. So, too, did another amendment extending the moratorium for an additional six months for rules affecting small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. KAWAI KG-2 \ The Kawai KG-2 Piano has been the single best selling Grand Piano in the intermountain area for 10 years. “T hope there’s a change next low-incomefamilies. Earlier this week, the Senate called it an equity issue, given that the state does not levy sales visions giving the administration cess — with every legislator assigned to a budget committee in one area of government — is a farce. Manufacturers in Utah got a big boost from the Senate, where members voted overwhelmingly to pass a $36 million exemption for machinery parts. Tax activist and Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said $B105 would help lure high-paying manufacturing jobs to Utah “so we're not in the basement on Committee, ments, nuclear-waste disposal standards and the Family and Medical Leave Act Mostof those pendingrules, argued Republican sponsors, would be protected underthebill's pro- suggested that the current pro- mittee,” Taylor said. Senators also passed a $1.4 million-a-year exemption on mobile homes. Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan and headof the Senate Reve- cial-aircraft safety improve- amendment specifying that the property. 7 “It’s like we're playing this hot opposingit. our average annual wage.” tions reduce the value of their new board gamein town — who can givethe biggest tax cut.” Even a few Republicans, although voting for the plan, criticized the way it came about in closed-door meetings with GOP leaders and the governor. Sen. Craig Taylor, R-Kaysville, year in the wayit’s handled, otherwise we just needto go to a [single budget] Ways and Means Com- Now Only approved removal of sales taxes on admissions to participatory $10,895 sports, such as golfing and skiing. If signed into law, the change will be a boon to Utah’s $440 mil- Suggested Retail Price - $19,433 Regular Summerhays Discount Price - $12,195 Limited Stock Available lion-yearly ski industry. Officials have soughttherelief for years, saying state taxes dull their competitive edge over Colorado, where skiing is free from sales taxes. Atthe last minute, senatorsinserted into the sports-admissions bill an exemption for taxicabs, free of sales taxes until last year dueto the administrative difficulty of charging them. SUMMERHAYS MUSIC CENTER 1006 South State Street Orem, Utah 84058 [phone] 5450 South Green Street lurray, Utah 84123 [phone] 2540 East Bengal Blvd. Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 [phone] homes And in the same string of votes, Senate members approvedlifting sales taxes on coin-operated devices, such as laundromats, car washes and video-amusement devices. That $1.39 million loophole was closed last year, in spite of claims the tax fell heaviest on tendent, Col. Richard Greenwood, was broughtinto the fracas when he wasasked to meet with Hatch; Hickman; Rep. DeMar “Bud” Bowman, R-Cedar City; and Rep. Met Johnson, R-New Harmony,to explain the cow’s demise . Greenwood told the lawmakers it was dusk on a Friday with weekendtraffic looming, and the cow Ce on the freeway presented seri- ous threatto the safety of drivers. The cow's owner was reimbursedbythe state forhis loss. It's just a “Computer!”unless it’s a ta !lmnouation COM PL MURRAY TAYLORSVILLE PROVO OGDEN faite Sign up with U S West Cellular February 1st through 28th and get off to a running start! FREE weekend and evening calls for two months when you sign up for a year of US West Cellular Service on one of our selected calling plans. And FREE* Flip Phone! NEW AUDIOVOX MVX 450 On Sale For HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY 10 AM-8 PM > BIS snd promotion vehd withnew U8 West seserow Certain Restrictions FREE FLIP PHONES! iSWEST CELLULAR FREE FLIP ®HONES! CUSTOM Guaranteed Savings, FURNITURE_ 355-2777 355-8000 uality & Value Mon-Sat 10-6 Tae LIQUIDATION.. The Brand Name Computer From Utah! HIT THE ROAD RUNNING With FREE weekends and evenings for two months Vi wn 9,000 Square Foot Display & Design Center yee ie “PC Innovation Computer!” ae Utah’s Best Selection of Phones & Accessories Democrats trashed the $90 million tax cut as irresponsible. “The way we are diminishing the state's tax base frightens me to death,” said Senate Minority Whip George Mantes, D-Tooele. plementing the cut passed the Senate on a straight party-line vote, 19-10, with al! Democrats Taxation the more sweeping regulatory overhaul and separate legislation pensation when government ac- ago, is expected to see a net re- and ernment intrudes on American lives. Next week, they will take up to expand greatly the ability of property ownersto collect com- ditional requests, such as $5 million to im- $140increase in the Avenues, $68 increase in South Jordan and Riverton, $53 increasein Sandy, $29 increase in West Jordan, and $13 increase in Rose Park. Only Holladay, which was socked by tax increases two years nue long-lasting changes in howgov- prove transportationorsalaries for special coordinators, were refused, Utah studentsstill cameout ahead P PHONES! PA oy 4 =} eo a a | irs mv ry 4 ra ington counties, said Friday But Scott Bean, State Superintendent of Schools says although manyof education's ad- iF Stele BE Ete] FREE FLIP PHONES! “FREE FLIP PHONES! “Modest improvements were made,” Eskelsen said. “Baby steps were made when we had the wherewithal to makegiantsteps for ‘childrenkind’.” not funded was $3.1 million for teacher sup- buy supplies with their own money “The Legislature had the opportunity to The regulatory moratorium approved Friday is viewed by the House GOP as a critical initial step to more fundamental and Morefunds could have been put into reduc- have a different process.” plies and materials. This would have given teachers $200 each so they would not have to @ Continued from A-1 than tax cuts. “We have done somegood things for public education,” said Rees. “But if the [education] committee does not have the ability to set its @ $1.2 million for the growth of the applied- ‘m6f8 million for student-enrollment makers overlooked public-opinion polls that indicated Utahns would rather see money used wisely on schools or road improvements nity. But someof their recommendations were not accepted by the executive appropriations committee. technologycenters. eefemillion for the bilingual education Votes Freeze on Federal Rules more concerned with roadsthan they are students. She said the UEA does not oppose tax cuts, but it does question the amount. Law- and iS3NOHd did 3344 biggest public-education budget in the state's R-Salt Lake City, Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Orem, co-chaired the public-education committee for weeks, facing intense lobbying from the education commu- ED Let EeEEte By Samuel A. Autman THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Utah lawmakers signed off Friday on the ate Democrats, the House GOP easily defeated amendmentsthat would have exempted from the moratorium rules covering food and workplace safety, commer- > wt LOS EOU ae ais ntic Now olaHDentory * Go!! Is Taree) Down to nd the World Rugs from Arou 50%, 60% eve Yo entage means nothing Final Price Is Everything! 3939 South Highland Dr. OPEN MON-SAT 10-6 277-8480