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Show A-14 The Park Record Buying or selling? Classifieds work! Sell your stuff under $200 for free. Pricier items? Free online & just $5 more in print for stuff under $3K Sat/Sun/Mon, December 28-30, 2019 Bipartisan groups push for referendum on tax reform Organizers protest income tax cut, hike on sales ASSOCIATED PRESS SALT LAKE CITY — Supporters of a citizens referendum have said that they have bipartisan support to overturn a new Utah tax reform law. One Democratic and two Republican gubernatorial candidates signed the petition during a news conference at the Capitol Monday, The Deseret News reported. Organizers said they submitted signed petitions to the lieutenant governor’s office, which oversees the state elections office. Utah Legislative Watch, Utah Tax Reform Coalition, United Women’s Forum and Citizens for Tax Fairness are among the groups opposing the new tax law. “This is not a Republican revolt. This is a Utahn revolt,” said Fred Cox, a former Republican legislator who helped organize the petition effort. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill in a special session earlier this month that lowers the state income tax rate and provides tax breaks to lowand moderate-income residents. The tax relief includes a larger dependent exemption and a grocery tax credit to offset an increase in the state sales tax on food to 4.85%. The law also imposes sales taxes on wholesale gasoline purchases in addition to what will be a gas tax of 31 cents on each gallon in 2020, which is expected to add at least 10 cents per gallon at the pump. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert signed the measure into law last week. An application to hold a second referendum on tax reform was rejected by the state, prompting a lawsuit. Steve Maxfield, the group’s leader, filed the lawsuit Monday in federal court challenging provisions in Utah’s referendum law. Brett Hastings, director of Utah Legislative Watch, said the groups opposing the tax law change view the referendum as an integral part of government checks and balances. “This referendum is in essence a vote of no confidence in our Legislature and in our governor, at least on this question of tax reform,” Hastings said. Parents of 2 missing Idaho children issue statement Kids, 7 and 17 years old, went missing in September ASSOCIATED PRESS ParkRecord.com/placead Give the gift that gives all year! Get a gift subscription to the PARK RECORD A great gift for New Neighbors, college students, second homeowners, etc. Mail or home delivery within Summit County: (Includes a free Sunday Tribune and The Park Record E-Edition) 1 Year $56 2 Years $98 Mail or home delivery outside of Summit County: (Includes The Park Record E-Edition) 1 Year $80 2 Years $138 The Park Record E-Edition only: $4.67 per month with auto pay Call today and talk to Lacy, our circulation manager, for details 435.649.9014 circulation@parkrecord.com REXBURG, Idaho — The parents named as persons of interest in their children’s disappearance in Idaho issued a statement Monday through an attorney, saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing “allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor.” Joshua Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, have not been seen since September, police say. The search for the children began in November when police tried to do a welfare check on the 7-year-old boy after a relative called because they hadn’t talked to him since September. The boy was adopted and has special needs. Rexburg police say the parents, Chad and Lori Daybell, never reported the kids missing, have repeatedly lied about where their children are — initially saying the boy was in Arizona — and aren’t cooperating with the investigation. The couple had disappeared from their Rexburg home when police returned with additional questions and search warrants. Police say it appeared the Daybells abruptly left the house and city. They said they don’t believe the couple had the children with them. How the couple left the city is unclear. Lori, 46, is the second wife of Chad Daybell, 51. Though Rexburg police haven’t disclosed the exact nature of the connection, authorities note the new marriage happened shortly after Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, was found dead at home in October. Initially thought to be a natural death, Tammy Daybell’s remains have since been exhumed in Utah, where she was buried. An autopsy has been conducted, but results haven’t been released. Rexburg police on Friday said the death could be related to the disappearance of the children, but didn’t elaborate. Lori Daybell’s former spouse also died earlier this year. Charles Vallow was killed in July in Arizona in a confrontation with her brother, Alex Cox. Cox said he shot Vallow in self-defense. Cox died on Dec. 12. Police have not released details. Chad Daybell, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a self-published author who writes about near-death experiences and doomsday events. Chad and Lori Daybell participated in podcasts for a group called “Preparing a People,” which the group said involves “the second coming of Jesus Christ.” The group has since removed those podcasts. Police say Lori Daybell has blond hair and blue eyes, is 5-foot-6 and weighs 125 pounds. Chad Daybell is described as 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, and having brown hair and blue eyes. |