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Show fitmibrnaSwaUmmut m ga$jg Wrfc Sfcw&$S& 4 wgrau UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. April 17.2001- - ov Taxpayers Association denounces automatic income tax increase AsUtahns rush to the post office to mail their Anal etete and federal tax forma, their etate income tax check will be significancy larger than taxpayer in moat other states, for UUh taxpayers eamingav-erag- e incomes. In addition, they will collectively pay a $3.9 million state income tax increase, accordingto the Utah Taxpayer Association. Ther son Utahs wags earnen pay mote income taxea relative to others ia due almost entirely to Utaha refusal to index income tax brackets for inflation for 24 years, IS said Wesley Quinton, Vice President of lUBh Taxpayers Association. Every year Utah taxpayers pay a tax increase of (4 to 6 million because we dont index for inflation. legislative efforts to index Utah's tax brackets for inflation have mostly foiled. For several years, legislation haa received little support. Most recently, during the 2001 legislative There is sufficient state revenue that impose income taxes plus Washington, D.C. Utah is almost a ftill percentage point above the average. Also, in contrast to 12other states, any sort of earned income tax credit earners. Utahs higher-incom- e taxpayers found themselves also shouldering a relatively higher burned until $200,000 of income at which point they are slightly above the average. Over 62 of Utahns who file a state income tax return this year fall into the highest incomebncketwhich begins at $7600. "Based on a recent Tax Commission study, ifthe income brackets had been adjusted fbr inflation since 1973, a family of four with a Utah taxable income of $27,300 would pay $526 less in annual Income taxes, Quinton said In addition, Utahs top income bracket would be $26,250 compared to the $7,500 currently. Utah's high income tax burden is a result of anticipated tax brackets, not excessively high rates. Of the 34 states, including the District of Columbia whose income structure uses more than one income bracket, the average minimum tax rate was 2.48, compared to Utahs minimum rate of 2.3. The average maximum tax rate was 7.16 compared to Utahs to low-inco- 41-sta- te 1 an$18milliontaxcut. Although the $18 million will offer some relief, it was only a one time adjustment. Taxpayers will still be hit with a multimillion dollar tax increase every year thereafter, Quinton said "The let islature fisiled to do the right thing in a year of record surplus. According to a recent study , Utah taxpayers with incomes of$3, 000 or $50,000 shoulder a much higher income tax burden than residents of other states, rankingas the 8th to the 1 1th highest atate. When comparing these average income levels to the effective tax rate (total income divided by total taxes) of the 41 states ing the District of Columbia whose income tax structure uses more than one income bracket, the average lowest income bracket for married filing jointly was $7,930. The average maximum income bracket was just over $59,000. In Utah, any AG1 after deductions and exemptions over $7,500 is taxes at the highest rate, Court, saying she cannot go along with the proposal at this time. There are too many unansweradquestions. Commissioners Larry Ross and Guy Thayneboth voted inuvor ofexpanding the court However, Commissioner Thayne stated he was not in favor of the program except for the fact that the county is already paying for it The county is mandated by the state to have a mental health program, 15peraentofthatmoneycango to Drug Court. County Attorney Herb Gillespie and SheriffRalph Stansfield are both in favor of the program. "If we can save just one or two individuals its Udministrator and deputy bounty DucheeneCountyC have voted to expand Uintah County's 8th District Drug Court into Duchesne County. A two to one vote by commission- era gaveago ahead for the expansion, offered by Uintah County. Commis- sionerLornaStradingeryotad against the Drug Court. Accordingto proponents of Drug Court, the expansion is ideal for Duchesne County because they share judges with Uintah County. The judges ars familiar with Drug Court and its procedures. In addition Duchesne'sDrug Court will be headed by a seasoned Drug Court Administrator, Ken Wallen tine, who qJQ.. serves ssUintahCounty'iDrug Court . attorney. Drug Court will be re la- tively cost free for the county. Their main expense will be the use of a vehicle. Drug Court seems to be working well in UintahCounty.Statiatics have shown that Uintahs total felony, misdemeanor, drug and alcohol offenses have decreased steadily, fbr the most part, since their court became permanent in 1998. Since 1998 Duchesnes felony, misdemeanor, drug and alcohol offense have been on the irise. According to statistics', Duchesne County also has one of the worst meth problems in the state. County officials hope that a Drug Court will curb drug use within the county. Stadinger voted against Drug I .&sgU SAYING .. GOOD-BYThe Union High cheer squad held their banquet last week, handing out special awards, thanks to their cheer advisors Essie Zager and Andre Wall and saying good-by- e to the seniors on the squad: saying Jazlyn Richard, Brittany Yama, Linda Berrett, Lynzie Huber, Melissa Wall, Natawni Quick, and Phillip Whiting. E VOTER S.1581HR2823 Naval Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2 To: Uncompahgre Business Committee: B. Coopera tiveAgreement 5. 7. Hansen ' new revenues to index for inflation will not result in a fiscal crisis, Quinton said. The Utah Taxpayers Association calls on the Governor and State Legislature to pass legislation to elimi nate Utahs annual $4 million automatic, bidden income tax increase. After all, taxpayers know how best to spend their money, Quinton 7.However, of the 34 states, includ- 1 . ' anticipated nearly $196 million in new income tax revenues. Setting nual aside $4 to $5 million of the Split vote by commission clears way for Drug Court in county By Katie V-- PagfcT-- ..:. to pay for annually indexing Utahs income tax brackets, according to Quinton. "Just this legislative session there was about $300 million of extra ongoing revenues to fond any number of priorities, including brackdieting for inflation. Of Utah's verse taxes and fees, the individual income tax generates more revenue than any other. In fact, in FY 1899-200individual income tax revenues will exceed $1.65 billion. By comparison, state sales taxes generated while $1.37 billion in FY 1999-200- 0 state and local property taxes are expected to generate $1.42 billion. Income taxes are expected to account for 48.9 of all state tax revenues (excluding property tax) in FY 2002. In addition, Utaha individual income tax has been the state's most r revenue source. Over past four years, individual in-- Utahs income tax does not provide espe-cially w. . worth the expense, Stansfield. a. The honeybee was Introduced Into New England wound 1640. It Is believed to be native to southern Asia. stated Last week the expansion of Drug Court wot pending on commission approval, now with Jhaf gfam, p,m DuchesnttDrUgXourtisbffiikil. The Tribe'S commitment to manege At surface resources and occupancy of that land of tke Tribe that Is within mile Inland from tkt high water mart of the Green River to protect the resource: er HomeforSale Now, therefore, the members of the Umcompshgre Tribe, Ouray Indian Reservation, Utah, in consideration of the "Memorandum of Understanding concerning Transfer of NOSR 2, dated the 1 4th day of January 2000, NOSR 2 land west of the Green River and one quarter mile corridor above the second highest water east of the Green River to the Uncompahgre Tribe. 361 South Center of the Tribe prohibiting from occupying land of the Tribe within the corridor absent specific authorization fiom the Tribe or at many at may be agreed upon in Ike cooperative agreement; end d Tranter of NOSR 2 to Uncompahgre persons whose name appear on Roll ef March 37, 1936, pabRshed April S. 1936 In Federal Register 2200 etseq. which It signed by Roland McCook Uncompahgre Tribe on January 14, 2009; BiB Richardson, DOE, January 14, 2000; Bruce Bobbin, DOI, January 14, 2000; and Michael O. Leads t, Governor, January 14, 2000 Duchesne, Utah Sale' Price:. $68,006Jf! NoRmndnsAwlSiti CWiSUaiONy Contact at axt. 6 80 North 500 Wmi USDA-R- D Vtrrul, Utah & Full-Bloo- Leroy Topanotes, Jr. April 10, 2001 Equal Housing Opportunity iggyup AFE Health Fair Saturday, May a.m. to 9 1 1 2 p.m. XJ health screenings Roosevelt Jr. High School awy sponsor'd by Uintah Basin Medical Center Utah Highway Patrol J GROWING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ,: S3 & RJ irlt1,''' fcN-- T ; E ; f v;i fc . , t v ? -.- ft v 41 i-: - '5 :-- 'p- 4 Over 50 information booths on health and safety issues Booth I 'Food !: 'Child Restraint Check Bike Rodeo Admission is FREE 'GRAND Prize Drawing 'Nutritional Information copy! - CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES Ambulance Kid Care ID Roll Cage Fish Pond 1 Seat Belt Convincer I Fire Truck RJ The Clown : |