Show Arguments For Rebuttal to Agriculture has long been recognized as Utah's most basic industry In fact the lifestyle we eijoy in this state is highly dependent upon a strong healthy agricultural economy Profitable conditions for our farmers and ranchers not only mean that grocery store shelves will continue to be full offering Utah's consumers a wide variety of wholesome food at some of the lowest prices found anywhere in the world but that a large number of businesses and jobs related to our agricultural industry will also be preserved It is therefore in everyone’s best interest to ensure favorable conditions for agriculture Arguments The Utah Legislature recognizes that agriculture and other businesses are struggling financially but the real Issue Is equity Our constitution intended for tax burdens to be distributed equitably but over time an inequity has developed regarding personal property While the average Utah taxpayer pays about 3 of his net income in property taxes and the average business pays about 5 our Utah farmer now pays nearly 49 of his net Income in property taxes each year The Legislature overwhelmingly passed Proposition 2 because your lawmakers recognized the need to amend the constitution to allow for a more equitable distribution of the property tax burden Your "yes" vote will ensure that Utah agriculture will continue to produce the highest quality food and fiber found anywhere in the world at the lowest possible cost and protect the viability of many Utah businesses whose future depends on our farmers and ranchers Senator Peterson Cary G 406 East Nephi 500 North Utah 84648 believe it is in the best interest of every Utahn to vote “FOR” Proposition 2 for the following reasons: We It is a matter of equity The average worker in Utah pays just over 3 of his income in property tax The average business pays an average of 3 to 5 of its income in property tax The average farmer and rancher in Utah during the last ten years paid 27 of his income in property tax and during the last two years paid 49 of his net farm income in property tax Property tax on Utah farms and ranches has increased 129 since 1975 yet their income has decreased 2 It will cost Utahns more for food if Utah farmers and ranchers are forced out of business If the average family of four pays $100 per week for food a 2 rise in the cost of food means each family would have to pay $104 more per year for food The trucks that deliver Utah produced beef cheese and flour to California bring back lettuce strawberries oranges and vegetables If that food had to be trucked in from California without Utah products to California food would cost more than it now does 3 The total cost of this proposition is under $1 per person That’s less than an average hamburger! A yes vote will tell Utah's farmers and ranchers that we believe in equity in taxes and will help hold the price of food down for all Utahns Representative Evan South 3200 West 2009 Young Page 12 Ward L Olsen Route Utah 84339 in Favor of Proposition So 2 The supporters of Proposition 2 claim the average Utah farmer pays 49 of his net income in property taxes This claim is misleading! It implies that Proposition 2 would reduce property taxes on land Farmers pay the majority of their property taxes on land In fact Proposition 2 will not affect taxes on land only property taxes on farm equipment Taxes on farm equipment are a very small part of a farmer's property taxes Only two tenths of one percent of gross income is needed to pay personal property taxes (on equipment and machinery) by farmers in Utah Passing Proposition 2 will hardly effect the average farmer’s overall property tax burden We have already given farmers breaks on property taxes To be fair to farmers the Green Belt exemption on farms lowered the property tax on farmland Also there are no property taxes on irrigation systems no taxes on livestock and no sales tax on farm equipment Proposition 2 would apply to all "farmers" regardless of need If it passes it will become just one more tax benefit that may be abused by people who take unfair advantage of the tax benefits available to farmers Other citizens who don have the income to use these tax dodges will have to bear more taxes Proposition 2 will be difficult to administer No one knows what it will cost the state since no one knows what be considered “farm equipment" Administering it will be expensive will Proposition 2 will encourage abuse and make property taxes less fair Vote “AGAINST" Proposition 2! Senator Karl G Swan 347 Upland Tooele House Chairman Utah Drive 84074 Representative Franklin W Knowlton Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee Box 426 Layton Utah 84041 |