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Show Editorial... TO TAX OR NOT TO TAX Once again Provo's Mayor, City Manager, and City Fathers are bedeviling the Utah County Commission in order to force the to adopt the county-wide one-half cent sales tax. Their argument is that "Provo needs the revenues that would accrue for capital improvements and more service for its citizens." Provo's civic leaders are no different than those of any other city they all say they need more money. This complaint com-plaint has been registered by politicians in office for many many years. So what? If Provo needs more money to provide extra services for its citizens let them raise the mill levy or charge more for sewer, water or electric services. Those who eat the pie should pay for it. The smaller cities of Utah County and that includes most of them would benefit little from the extra half-cent tax on sales. A fairly recent survey conducted in Pleasant Grove, revealed re-vealed that only 17 per cent of the local shoppers dollars went to Pleasant Grove business houses. The same is likely true in other small Utah county cities and 'particularly true in Orem. So, if the sales levy were adopted, 83 per cent of the extra taxes. paid by Pleasant Grove shoppers would be collected collect-ed by other cities, mainly Provo and Salt Lake City. Really, the parking meter fees imposed by Provo City on all out of town shoppers should be sufficient tribute to pay for the right to .spend money in Utah Valley's largest city. Utah County's Commissioners have rightly maintained that they represent all the people of all the County. They should not be permitted to forget this fact. |