Writing on tax reform back in December, I quoted Thomas Jefferson: “Politics … holds up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.” Well, apparently state political leaders saw the glow of firelight coming over the hillside, because the tax reform in question was quickly thereafter thrown out. This leaves the issues that motivated reform unresolved.
To give Utahns a better idea of what that means, Utah Foundation recently released “Now What? A Citizen’s Troubleshooting Guide to Tax Reform.” The report addresses three basic issues that appeared to be at the center of reform efforts: the adequacy of general fund revenue; the competitiveness of income tax rates; and a large constitutional earmark. It explores the various choices — or, depending on your point of view, potential consequences — on the table following the reform effort’s demise.
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