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Show Volume IX Issue II THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 13 November 1, 2003 SUMMARY cont. from page 12 from the state geologist and director of the Utah Geological Survey on the STATEMAP Program. The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act enabled the Utah Geological Survey (USG) to produce over 50 geologic maps throughout the state. The work has entailed original geologic mapping and digital compilation of previous mapping. Local, state, and federal land management agencies have used this new map information to address a variety of issues, including ground water location and protection, geologic hazards evaluation, resource protection and development, and education and tourism. Following this report, the committee reviewed the current federal milk marketing structure with the various Utah dairy professionals. The problem—milk retail and processor markups have drastically increased over the years while the price farmers have received for their product has decreased. In addition, the dairy industry maintains that federal orders, designed to do things like enforce minimum prices and define the terms of trade between buyers and sellers, have created regional differences in farm milk prices that are detrimental to those farmers who produce less than the national average. Rounding out the committee discussion was the issue of further modifications needed beyond last session’s “Agricultural Products Dealer’s Act Amendments.” Political Subdivisions Two issues of particular interest in the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee involved UTA’s rail corridor transit projects and municipal annexations in first class counties. First, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) told the committee that it wants to streamline the permit process for the construction of commuter rail to expedite the project. This would require legislation that would exempt public transit districts from local government regulation within railroad corridors. Passenger terminals, park and ride facilities or other auxiliary facilities owned by UTA would be subject to local government regulation. While generally supportive of the development of commuter rail, the Utah League of Cities and Towns expressed concern about exempting UTA from local regulations and providing a blank right-ofway check. Instead, the League believes that UTA’s goals can be accomplished through interlocal agreements with all of the jurisdictions along the railroad corridor. As a result of these concerns, the committee will discuss this item again in its November meeting. The second issue, a discussion of the draft bill “Municipal Annexation Petition, Notice, and Signature Provisions,” ended with the committee’s recommendation of the proposed legislation. If adopted in the 2004 General Session, the new requirements for annexations within a firstclass county would range from allowing an annexation petition signer to withdraw his or her name from the petition any time during the process to requiring the county to mail notice of the proposed annexation to property owners within the area proposed for annexation and property owners within 300 feet of the proposed annexation at the petitioner’s expense. Public Utilities and Technology This interim committee discussed two items at this month’s meeting—unsolicited commercial and sexually explicit email and Questar’s “Green Sticker” program. Relating to the former, the committee discussed the need to protect legitimate businesses, the status of the approximately 9001,200 lawsuits filed under the new Utah law, the needs for definitions and a Safe Harbor provision, and how to protect email recipients from “spam” email. Relating to the “Green Sticker” program, the committee sought clarification in their meeting about the need for consumers to get their appliances inspected in preparation for a new blend of natural gas Questar will be delivering after 2008. After inspection by a licensed professional, the appliance would don a “green sticker” showing its compliance. However, the state Committee of Consumer Services has been publicly critical of the green sticker campaign, questioning whether it was a public safety issue or a company profits issue. Questar argues that the public criticism has led to customer confusion and could jeopardize public safety. In the end, while interim committee members shared some concerns with the state Committee of Consumer Services about who should bear the cost burden of the program, no evidence was presented to dispute Questar’s assertion that the green sticker program is a matter of public safety. Revenue and Taxation Readdressing an issue that received a lot of press during the 2003 General Session, the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee delved into the first of a twopart proposed Education Funding Bill intended to improve student competency through increased school funding. According to the sponsors, this initial component would create a shift of tax burden to higher incomes and to families with more than four dependants. The second piece of legislation would put the money into an education fund. Regarding the tax shift, it would amend state tax law through a gradual elimination of personal exemptions on income taxes. Essentially, the exemptions for households with two dependents would remain the same, but the third dependent exemption would be reduced from 75% to 50%; the fourth exemption would be 25% and, finally, there would be no exemption Donations Needed for Ogden Rescue Mission Womens/Childrens Shelter New Items: - Fabric Remnants (to make pajama bottoms & blankets) - Socks (any size) - Diapers - Baby Shampoo, Lotion, Powder - Tooth Brushes Used Items: - Women’s Clothing - Women’s Coats beyond four. The other primary element of this bill would be an elimination of the 50% federal deductibility on state income tax. This legislation would have no effect on corporate tax or those on fixed incomes. According to the sponsors, it would provide $88 million new dollars for public education for the 2005 school year, $97 million for 2006 and from there incrementally increase as Utah’s population grows. The sponsor’s argue that the bill would result in lower taxes for an “average” family with four or less kids making $50,000 per year. Families with higher incomes or more children would pay more. While the committee took no formal action, many members expressed concerns ranging from whether this bill was merely a redistribution of wealth, to the impact it would have on high-income households. For example, one legislator said that 55% of all income tax revenue is paid by 12% of the population. If even one additional percent of this population moves out of state to avoid the impacts of this bill, it could actually lead to a net loss in revenue. After this lengthy discussion, the committee turned its attention to a few other tax issues, most notably, the discussion of proposed legislation to repeal the satellite television tax authorized at the end of the 2003 session. The original legislation removed the sales tax exemptions on cable and satellite and thereby generated enough money to fill a final budgetary gap. Since the general session, however, the anticipated revenue is no longer needed because the budget has been balanced without it. In addition, questions have arisen regarding the ability of local governments to collect taxes on these services because of a conflicting federal law. Transportation The Transportation Interim Committee, like other interim committees, spent part of its October meeting hearing an annual report on DUI-related issues. This report, given by the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, includes data being collected and maintained by the courts to allow sentencing and penalty enhancement decisions for repeat DUI offenders. From DUIs the committee turned its focus to uninsured motorists. Representatives from the drivers license division told committee members that since instituting a database system, administered by a company called InsureRite, the state has been able to track the number of uninsured motorists and has seen 11% decrease over the last nine years. One representative, however, questioned the numbers and asked if there were other contractors who perform the database service. In addition, the committee discussed concerns about the length of time between when InsureRite receives notice that someone does not have insurance and when the individual is assessed a fine. The final major issue of the afternoon was a discussion of fuel taxes for alternatively fueled vehicles. Under current law, an owner of a vehicle powered by a clean special fuel is required to purchase an annual clean special fuel tax certificate in lieu of paying the 24.5 cent per gallon state special fuel tax. The certificate requirement, however, has proved to be unenforceable and as such some are seeking legislative change. At the meeting, the Utah Petroleum Manufacturer’s stated no objection to modifications that would require retailers to collect the special fuel tax because they are already doing so. On the other hand, Salt Lake Clean Cities is opposed to any change because it may deter those interested in purchasing alternatively powered vehicles because of the perceived inconvenience. Workforce Services and Community & Economic Development The committee endorsed both pieces of draft legislation—”Unemployment Compensation: Social Security Benefits Offset” and “Employment Security Modifications”—before it this month. The first bill, supported by Utah’s Employment Advisory Council, seeks to reduce the offset of unemployment insurance from 100 percent to 50 percent. Supporters hope it will provide a safety net for unemployed Utahns 62 and older who cannot survive on Social Security. The second proposed bill makes changes to the unemployment insurance law as requested by the Department of Workforce Services. Do you have a teenage driver? In Utah, teen drivers make up 9% of licensed drivers but account for 20% of fatal crashes. Overall, teen drivers ages 15-19 have more total crashes, injury crashes, and fatal crashes than any other group of drivers. Do you ever wonder how your teen drives? We can tell you. In fact, the whole neighborhood can help watch after your teen. If someone sees unsafe driving by your teenager, they can call 1-877-4MY-TEEN. 1-877-4MY-TEEN provides you with: -a bumper sticker -reports on unsafe driving by your teen -a free monthly newsletter with safe driving tips for teens -peace of mind Call 1-877-4MY-TEEN today to join or for more information. - Children’s Clothing - Children’s Coats - Blankets For volunteers or more information, call Kari at 745-2573. IT’S PICTURE DAY BRING FAMILY OR FRIENDSAND HAVE PICTURES TAKEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS OR ANY OCCASION. WHEN: November 22, 2003 WHERE: Snowcrest Junior High TIME: 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 11 X 14 $15 (COLOR) 11 X 14 $20 (BLACK AND WHITE) 11 X 14 $20 (SEPIA) Other Packages will be available All pictures taken will be available December 6, 2003 For more information please call Tona Mahas at 745-1504 (Leave a message.) Vern Iverson DDS Mike Crookston DDS Iverson Family Dentistry offers all phases of general dentistry to you and your family. Nitrous oxide, and stereo and video technology will make your visit to the dentist much more pleasant. Extended hours available. 2627 N. Highway 162, Eden 745-3882 |