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Show Enterprise Review , March 31t 1976 County Transient Room Tax Shows 137 The rosy projections for a booming winter travel season last year were borne out today with the release of transient room tax figures which show an increase of 137.3 percent in the amount of tax collected for the last quarter of 1975 compared to 1974. The tax is a levy of 2.50 percent on all accommodations within Salt Lake County renting for 60 days or less. Since most hotel, motel and trailer court spaces are taken the tax is by most of consistent and one the accurate gauges of the growth of the Visitor industry in the non-residen- ts, county. From October to December, 1975, the County received Wes MXTAVOV WORK $152,140.37 in transient room tax. That compares to $64,112.10 for the same quarter of 1974. While the increase from the 1974 period to 1975 is 137.3 percent, the tax also increased from 1.50 percent to 2.50 percent. Adjustments to the figures to allow for the increase in the tax show a growth rate of 42.3 percent, still the largest single increase ever recorded for a quarter. Several factors accounted for the dramatic increase. A big percentage of the nonresidents in Utah during that quarter were skiers. The increased promotional efforts of the Salt Lake County Development and Promotion Board iwa (JgiO IT POesiiT tOORX FCR. WOMAUf MB-I- Increase and the ski resorts to bring County. more skiers to the County accounts for portions of the For the entire year of 1975, increase. Another factor was the amount of transient room the poor snow condition in ski tax was 61.1 percent greater areas throughout the country-exce- pt than 1974. The increase in the Utah which forced tax came at and the to 1975 the total adjustments still show an increase of 19.7 The thriving business of conventions also took a consi- percent, again the largest derable hike with 1975 figures single increase ever recorded. showing the number of deleSince the tax is 2.50 percent gates in town rising by 142 percent over last quarter 1974. of the total spent on hotel, And the final factor which motel and trailer court affects the others is a national accommodations during the economy on the upswing and quarter, the tax revenue of the subsequent growth of $152,663.89 represents an spendable income which can expenditure of $6,238,000 on be used by the traveling public housing alone during the to spend vacations in Salt Lake quarter. National and many skiers to ski Utah. IM BOR6Q IM IRRITABLE rn cmesseo snu- - i tflUHAPPY mid-yea- IM r studies done on the spending habits of skiers, conventioneers, businessmen and other travelers, show the amount spent on housing to be an average of 28.06 percent of the total dollar. Close behind the amount spent on housing is food which has been estimated at 27.3 percent of the total dollar or $6,142,407. Other costs are transportation (10.93 percent) which converts to $2,429,841, Retail (15.7 percent) $3,499,149, Entertain- ment (13.16 percent) $2,925,591 and Services (4.48 percent$995,946. The total amount spent by in Salt Lake County during the last quarter is estimated at $22,230,934. non-residen- ts 000051 I'M ACTIVE' om uib OT.W mio- UU b)ow?wi- - miwp m YOUR MAUTTSA? m Km THAT5 My VO T suppose? tI kfEIM- - BUT... i(J6 H6 UU I 'M W lOOVPeR TM SDIClPM,. THEY MB A 6A MAUTRA? (51RL.S to, Pragmatic Dogmatics The Once and Future Kampton it is only a matter of time until a Republican is inaugurated Governor. Many of my Democratic friends, who figure the by Kent Shearer Calvin . L. Ramptons announcement that he will not seek a fourth term had immediate ripples. For one, it made an otherwise routine reelection announcement by Representative McKay into a genuine media event because it included Gunns declaration that he was not a gubernatorial candidate. For another, it has brought forth feelers by aspiring Republicans who unlike Attorney General Romney and Davis Commission Chairman Smoot - lacked the fortitude to announce so long as there was the possibility that their Democratic opponent might be the formidable Rampton. Some of my GOP brethren are overjoyed at the turn of events. With Rampton and McKay out of it, they calculate -- same, are despondent. There is evidence to support their views. Of the six Democrats now mentioned as possible gubernatorial nominees, only State Chairman John Klas has not previously suffered a multi county primary or general election defeat. And that, perhaps, is because John has never entered such a race. On the other hand, Romney, Smoot and most of the latecomers have been always elected. I reserve judgment, and I do so due to one man: the outgoing Rampton. He will play a role in the campaign, make no mistake. The past has demonstrated him to be hesitant to work for fellow Democrats when his own name is on the ballot, but when it isnt. This year by his choice it wont be on the hell-tumed-loo- se ballot, and he will want to leave office in a blaze of Democratic glory by doing in every Republican in sight. Whats more, he has the tools to do the job. First, he has his position and staff. At the wink of an eyelid, Rampton can call a press conference reporters will attend and report. The Capitol establishment can cireven as lame culate, and ducks exchange favors for - support. Second, he has enormous credibility. An able advocate, Rampton traditionally has had the media in the palm of his hand (with the Deseret News Rod Decker a recent exception). He has been able to convince them, and through them the public, that tax increases are requisite. Later, through them, he has proclaimed to the citizenry that resultant budgetary surpluses are the fruit, not of excessive taxation, but rather of admin istrative excellence on his part. His credibility extends even to the business community. Jack OKeefe, whose Kennecott Rampton once tried to punish with a discrimatory severance tax, dutifully endorsed his 1972 reelection bid. These tools, moreover, Rampton has no reluctance to n use. In the 1970 Senatorial struggle, good old Cal was Ted Moss hatchet man. Every day, in every way, he cut Larry Burton to pieces. That year, he also managed to unfrock some Republican legislators. So, I think it possible that Moss-Burto- Republicans celebrate and Democrats shed tears too early. The campaign is yet ahead, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Cal Rampton will be in the thick of it, praising Democrats, besmirching Republicans, and being devastatingly effective. |
