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Show J I UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. June 26. Utah's personal income levels off. The divergence of these two measures is the compelling story. Instead of only increasing spending proportionate to inflation and population, the state chose to spend the huge Projected $59 million deficit only tip of iceberg With Utah rapidly increasing atate budget during the past lOyears, the state is setting itself up for a potential fhndingdisaster when revenue growth returns to more modest levels. The Utah Taxpayers Association recently presented findings indicating revenue growth above inflation and population increases will lead to a deficit situation that many may try to address with tax increases in the future. Three studies have recently been released rating Utahs handling of public flinda by GovemingMagaime, the American Legislative Bariianga Council, and the CATO Institute. The Governing Magnsine Report The reasons are Utah does not run a deficit, surplus revenues are designated for one-tim-e spending so they do not require ftiture fUnding, and 25 ofany surplus goes into the rainy day fhnd. The study goes so far as to say Utah may be the nations model in financial management So with Utah receiving such good grades from Governing Magaxine, why do the two other reports give Utah a D? And why is the atate currently projecting a $59 million deficit in the state budget? The answer is simple, despite cumulative net tax cuts totaling $1.17 billion since FY 1995, Utah has ificxntly increased its expenditures asa soaring eainomy produced large revenue windfalls. The budget increases and pend- - 2001- - Pane 9 revenue windfalls from rapidly increasing personal income. The concern is also expressed in the ALEC study which also gives Utah a D in fiscal management. The study specifically rewards those states that are taking proactive approaches to returning taxpayer dollars back to the people. It also is critical of states that tax at a high percentage of personal income, Utah being one such atate, levying 6.8 of personal in-- 1 corns for general fond taxes. "State spending in all region has 'increased sharply toward the end of the 1990s. The reason for the steep growth can be partly attributed to the persistent presence of budget surpluses. This is an ominous trend withpotentiallyseriousconaequences for the fiiture. As states continue to push baseline expenditures upward, they are setting themselves up fora potential ftmdingdiaaater as revenue growth returns to its historic levels," tag deficit situation in Utah are not unique. Maqy of the states, Utah included, have recommended using the rapidly increasing revenues tor modest to mqjor new expenditures. Many of the states that hiked their budgets the most in recent years are talking of potential fiscal crisis in 2001 with the economic slowdown. $30 surplus. The CATO Fiscal Polity Card on Americas Governors cities their concern that "during the peat several years of prosperity" states have ratcheted up atate budgets instead of returningrevenue suiplusea to taxpayers. TheD grade whichUtah received was due to its failure to returaalarger portion ofsurpluses to taxpayers. The main criticism is the dramatic increase in per person state pending even when making adjustments for inflation. The study notes the report stated. In early February, the Taxpayers Association usingdata from the Legislative fiscal analyst office reported a possible $540 million dollar deficit in 2010. State money managers re- that during the eight years of the Leavitt administration, real per capita spending has increased by over 30. t : ft V, EMT BARBEQUE Emergency Medical Technicians from Tabiona, Altamont, Duchesne and Roosevelt were treated to steak last week during a summer barbeque. The annual event is sponsored by the Uintah Basin Medical Center in appreciation of the services provided by EMTs throughout the county. EMTs also received jackets from the hospital. ne . cently aiuiounceda$59million shortfall in this years revenues. Utahs student population is expected to The accompany graphs giveagood representation ofwhat has occurred in inflation sdjusted per capita spending since 1980. Since the early 90s, there has been a continual upward trend in per person spending. WhimtfiMmpinjrhM!wMiW are compared to personal growth, the graph is easentudly the same from 1980 to 1990. Beginning inl990, however, spending as a percent of Finding the disclosures in "freelnternet service offers Youve probably seen the ads for "free Internet service trial periods. Maybe youve even received a in the mail that promises hundreds of hours of free Internet CD-RO- ser-vic- e. If youre in the market for Internet service, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants you to know that some "free offers may end up items. being high coat, long-term That's because important restrictions and conditions on these offers are not always diaclosed clearly or conspicu- offers fin: "free Internet service are valid for only one month. At the end ofthe "free month, many rUefraervice, unlessyoucarmel at the end of the free month. Unfortunately, you may not know that you have to cancel because some service or providers hide this information dont tell you how to cancel should you want to. .. v. Costa add up in other ways, too. 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Do you have to cancel before the end of the free trial to avoid being charged for ser- vice? How do you cancel service? Can you cancel online or by calling the service providers phone number? Is there alocal phone number for you. to uae to accesa the Internet? When you get the numbers to dial from the ISP, ask your local phone company if its load or longdistance number. Make sure the back-u- p phone number you choose is local, too. If you call a long distance fin: Internet service, chances areyou will rack up big charges. Ifyou sign up for service, are you committing to paying for the service for a year? Longer? Some ISPs require you to agree to pay tor their service for at least one year and may charge a foe to cancel the service before your subscription has euded. Ifyou sign up for service, when are you billed each month? If you decide to cancel service, you may want to do so before you billing date so you don't incur a monthly charge for service you dont (dan to uae. 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