OCR Text |
Show News SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2004 EPA Head Michael Leavitt to give SUU 2004 Commencement Address Michael O. Leavitt, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, will deliver the keynote address to the 2004 graduates of Southern Utah University in the campus Centrum Arena, Saturday, May 8, 2004. Leavitt was sworn in as the 10th Administrator of the EPA on November 6, 2003. Prior to leading the Agency, he served as Utahs 14th governor for nearly 11 years. In that position he proved to be a national leader on homeland security, welfare reform and environmental management. Six times during his gubernatorial agement, Leavitt implements his Enlibra philosophy that he with former Oregon governor, John Kitzhaber. Enlibra, derived from Latin roots meaning to move toward balance, operates on the basis of eight principles which form the prism through which Leavitt conducts his management of the EPA. http:www.epa.gov adminwebleavitt In addition to Enlibra, Leavitt has held to pursuing and maintaining three goals throughout his public service: to leave things better than he found them; to plant seeds for the next generaadministration, independent tion; and to give it all he has. public policy analysts ranked The 2004 graduates of SUU, Utah among the their friends, family, professors states in the nation. Federal and mentors anticipate receivgovernment leaders called on ing no less than these from Leavitt regularly to help resolve Leavitt during his next visit to national issues that directly af- his alma mater as the 2004 Comfected the states, and sometimes mencement speaker. best-manag- ed beyond. Leavitt led Utah through the preparation for and days of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. These were recognized as the most environmentally-sensitiv- e Games ever. Organizers achieved net zero air emissions, zero waste and full compliance with all safety and environmental regulations. One hundred thousand trees were planted as a lasting legacy of the environmental accom- plishments. Bom and raised in Cedar City, Utah, Leavitt is a son of southern Utah, and Southern Utah University, as he earned his bachelors degree from Utah State College (SUSC) in economics and business in 1978. Nineteen years later, SUU was happy to bestow upon Leavitt, an honorary doctorate degree of Humanities during the 1997 Commencement ceremony. Leavitt is an ongoing and enthusiastic supporter of SUU programs; he makes frequent visits to campus to endorse and participate in events like the Utah Summer Games, the Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Utah Rural Ecothen-Southe- Earned Income Tax Credit information As the clock ticks down to April 15, working families who earn less than $35,000 should take a moment to review the rules for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For eligible taxpayers, the credit can mean bigger tax refunds. recent study by the Brookings Institution conA firmed what we at the Internal Revenue Service already knew. People who qualify for the EITC are a diverse group. The EITC taxpayers are almost evenly divided between urban and rural communities. They could be people in your community. The Earned Income Tax Credit was created in 1975 as an offset for other federal taxes workers. paid by low-inco-me Initially, it was limited to people with children. In 1993, it was workexpanded to ers without children. low-inco- me But we find that folks often make errors. The law is complicated. That's why were encour--. aging everyone to review the rules. Also, were providing resources to help taxpayers get the information they need to prevent mistakes. Know the rules We are doing what we can to make it easier and to make more help available. But taxpayers should carefully study the rules. Dont guess if you are eligible, know. Here are some basic guidelines to get you started. This year, the maximum credit with one qualifying child or less than $11,230 if there are no children. Income limits are $1,000 higher if a married couple files jointly. If you meet those income limits, it may pay for you to look at other EITC rules. Those eligi- bility requirements are available at many places. You should seek out help if necessary. Help is available If you have computer access, you also can visit yww.irs.gov. Our popular web site has an entire page devoted to the EITC. Taxpayers also can order helpis $4,204 for a family with two or ful publications such as Publimore qualifying children, $2,547 cation 596, Earned Income for a family with one qualifying Credit, by calling child and $382 if there are no or download publications from the IRS Web site. IRS toll qualifying children. For the 2003 tax year, income free telephone assistbrs are limits have increased. Taxpay- available Monday through Friers must earn less than $33,692 day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and if they have two or more qualify- Saturdays from 10 a.m, to 3 ing children, less than $29,666 p.m. at CMMlDD HDD3 (MM) DBQDg07 m nomic Summit. SUU appreciated and benefited from Leavitts causes as a state leader, including his drive to create better schools and empower states. A tireless advocate of his states economic growth, he cut taxes 16 times in five years. Armored with foresight in planning for future development, Leavitt took advantage of the tools of advanced technology in programs like, 21st Century Communities, Envision Utah, and Utah: Where Ideas Connect. Now, as a thoughtful leader on national environmental man H n n on winter weather!! ALL TIRESONSALE! KTC Kanab Tire Center 1 |