October 08, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation releases A Lighter Load: Utah’s Changing Tax Burden. The report looks at data over a 24-year span from 1993 to 2016 (the latest data available) and calculates Utah’s tax burden as a ratio of governmental revenue per $1,000 of personal income (the proportion of Utahns’ earnings that are used to fund local and state governmental services). It finds that Utah’s tax burden has seen a strong decline since 2007. While the property tax … Continued
October 08, 2019(Salt Lake Tribune) - Utah’s state and local tax burden decreased significantly in recent years — and is at its lowest point in a quarter century, according to a Utah Foundation report released Tuesday. It looked at data from 1993 through 2016 (the most current available) and calculated how much state and local governments spend as a percentage of overall personal income. Utah’s tax burden in 2016 was $103.86 per $1,000 of personal income. About a decade earlier, in … Continued
October 06, 2019(Salt Lake Tribune) - It can be said that the modern history of Utah began with water — and a bet. The year was 1824, and Jim Bridger was sitting around with his fellow mountain men in Cache Valley, on the banks of the Bear River, laying bets over where the water flowed. To settle the bet, Bridger followed the river down and found a giant, briny inland sea. Ever since, water has shaped the contours of Utah’s history … Continued
October 02, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation releases Paying for Water: A Brief Summary of the Series. In this executive summary of Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series, Utah Foundation provides a brief overview of its findings. It reveals that, when considering the role of property taxes alongside water rates, the preferred approach may depend on the water provider’s priorities. The four reports in the series are: High and Dry: Water Supply, Management and Funding in Utah (August 2019) … Continued
September 26, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation releases Getting Clear on Water: Practical Considerations in the Tax Versus Fee Debate. In this fourth installment of Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series, Utah Foundation addresses property taxes and water rates in the context of fiscal impacts, focusing on cost, price for consumers and revenue stability for water providers. It also addresses differences in local needs, transparency and representation. Previous reports provided an overview of water management in Utah and examined … Continued
September 25, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - In light of the legislature’s discussion over whether to reform Utah taxes, the United Utah Party will be hosting a summit on tax reform on Saturday, September 28, at 10:30 am at the Day-Riverside Branch located at 1575 W. 1000 N., Salt Lake City, 84116. The Tax Summit is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about the debate over tax reform. Various perspectives on tax reform will be presented on how or even whether … Continued
September 18, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation releases Who Gets the Bill? Water Finance and Fairness in Utah. In this third installment of Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series, the property tax versus water rate debate is examined from the standpoint of fairness. Specifically, the report looks at fairness issues pertaining to the use of property tax revenues and water rates to pay water providers’ bills. It finds that, depending upon the revenue approach, certain water users may pay … Continued
September 18, 2019(Deseret News) - In Utah, you’re either dying of thirst, metaphorically, or you’re drowning. But mostly, you’re dying of thirst. All of which means you should be paying more for the water you use. Probably a lot more. The Utah Foundation, an independent, nonprofit research group, is in the middle of a three-part series of reports on water costs and conservation in the state. The latest one contains this bit of wisdom, which ought to be self-evident: “Utah … Continued
September 16, 2019(Enterprise) - Utah Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization, has announced several changes to its board leadership. Chad Westover, CEO of University of Utah Health Plans, is the new chair. He previously served as Utah Foundation vice chair. He succeeds Elizabeth Hitch as chair. Hitch is retiring from her position with the Utah System of Higher Education and is departing Utah Foundation’s board. R. Dan Eldredge, general manager of Intermountain Power Agency, is the new vice … Continued
September 14, 2019(Salt Lake Tribune) - At the public hearings of the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force, one of the most commonly heard refrains was the declaration that “Utah does not have a revenue problem.” Would that it were so! Alas, the unfortunate truth is that, after many years of tax cutting, Utah finds ourselves unable to keep up with the needs of a fast-growing state. Separate research reported by the Utah State Tax Commission and by the Utah Foundation … Continued
September 12, 2019(Deseret News) - Changes in water rates and taxation that make water prices more market-based must also be considered. In general, it makes sense to use graduated water rates that charge more for higher water use to encourage conservation. It also makes sense to mostly use water rates to pay for water, rather than property taxes that might mask the true costs. However, these are complex issues and the generalities don’t apply in every circumstance. The Utah Foundation … Continued
September 10, 2019(Daily Herald) - The Utah Foundation announced several changes to board leadership Monday. According to a press release, Chair Elizabeth Hitch is retiring from her position with the Utah System of Higher Education and departing the Utah Foundation board. Chad Westover, CEO of University of Utah Health Plans, is the new chair. He previously served as vice chair for the foundation. Other new officers include R. Dan Eldredge, general manager of Intermountain Power Agency as the new vice … Continued
September 09, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation announces several changes to its board leadership. Chair Elizabeth Hitch is retiring from her position with the Utah System of Higher Education and is departing Utah Foundation’s board. The new officers are: Chad Westover, CEO of University of Utah Health Plans, is the new chair. He previously served as Utah Foundation vice chair. A. Dan Eldredge, General Manager of Intermountain Power Agency, is the new vice chair. He previously served as treasurer. Raymond … Continued
September 08, 2019(Daily Herald) - The Utah Foundation recently released a study titled, “Making the Grade? K-12 Outcomes and Spending in Utah” that tries to make sense of why Utah, which spends less on K-12 education than any other state at $7179 per pupil — $5000 below the national average — still does well in most areas measured and even outperforms many higher spending states. Although Utah lawmakers and other state leaders may congratulate themselves on these academic outcomes at … Continued
September 08, 2019(Salt Lake Tribune) - UCC has been studying Utah public education financing and concludes that legislative removal of the income tax earmark would be a serious mistake. The income tax was earmarked exclusively for public education in 1946, protecting public education as the long-term, prime responsibility of state government. The earmark is under legislative reconsideration at a time when investment in a quality education for Utah’s children has never been more important to meet national and international challenges. Moreover, … Continued
September 08, 2019(Salt Lake Tribune) - According to the Utah Foundation, rural teachers make up to 40 percent less than comparable teachers in urban districts. And while it’s risky to draw bright lines connecting school funding with success, it’s probably safe to say that those lower salaries contribute to lower test scores among rural students. As Utah focuses on trying to bring the rural economy up to something approaching the high-flying Wasatch Front, it’s worth remembering that quality education is always … Continued
September 08, 2019(Standard Examiner) - The Utah Foundation recently released a study titled “Making the Grade? K-12 Outcomes and Spending in Utah” that tries to make sense of why Utah, which spends less on K-12 education than any other state (at $7,179 per pupil, $5,000 below the national average), still does well in most areas measured and even outperforms many higher spending states. Although Utah lawmakers and other state leaders may congratulate themselves on these academic outcomes at bargain basement … Continued
September 05, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Utah Foundation releases Drop by Drop: Water Costs and Conservation in Utah. In this second installment of Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series, the property tax versus water rate debate is examined from the standpoint of conservation. Specifically, the report outlines how water pricing can encourage conservation. It details the current effects of water rates and property taxes on water use. It then explores conservation in terms of fixed fees and variable rates. Lastly, … Continued
September 05, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - During the Task Force “study phase” I anticipate considerable discussion around the constitutional guarantee that all Utah income tax goes to fund education. This is a promise forged in our Utah State Constitution to ensure our state has an educated population and our public schools are funded in perpetuity. A 1996 Constitution change permitted the income tax to be used for higher education in addition to K-12 public ed. What was once a small percentage … Continued
September 04, 2019(Daily Herald) - When women are elected to political positions in a state legislature, more attention and money tend to be given toward efforts directed at poverty, sexual assault, domestic violence, education and healthcare. “There really is a connection, not just in Utah, but nationally and globally to those topics being addressed more often and money being given to those when there’s women,” Madsen said. A 2016 survey by the Utah Foundation showed that women in Utah are … Continued
August 27, 2019(Standard-Examiner) - The Ogden City Council will soon hold a series of public meetings designed to help residents learn about and sound off on a topic of growing concern: housing. From Sept. 3 through Oct. 1, the council will host four fact-finding discussions on housing — each taking place at 7 p.m. at the Ogden Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd. The first meeting, on Sept. 3, will feature a look at national and local trends and what … Continued
August 27, 2019(Utah Public Radio) - Utah spends less money per pupil than any other state in the country. “And we’re always last, so what’s the point of talking about that all the time?” This is Shawn Teigen. He works with the Utah Foundation, a non-profit organization that does research on government organizations. They recently released a report on how Utah schools compare to other schools across the country.
August 27, 2019(UtahPolicy.com) - Given Utah’s position as both one of the driest and one of the fastest-growing states, getting water management right is critical. Among the most basic – and contentious – components of water management is how we pay for water, with property taxes versus user fees at the heart of the debate. Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series will examine the key areas of concern related to this debate, including conservation, fairness and practical considerations. … Continued
August 28, 2019(KVNU) - A new series of reports published by the Utah Foundation, detail how Utahns are paying for water in an arid state. The report shows that there at least 308 public water suppliers in Utah and the fact that the population is expected to double over the next 40 years, the managing of this vital resource becomes even more important. On KVNU’s For the People program on Wednesday, Peter Reichard of the Utah Foundation talked about … Continued
August 27, 2019(KTVX) - How we pay for our water in Utah has long been the center of a heated debate. It’s one of our most precious resources, but it’s not always treated that way. “Every Utahn sees their neighbors watering in rainstorms, watering sidewalks, streets and gutters. We need to stop that practice,” said Zach Frankel with the Utah Rivers Council. Frankel says the problem is the way water is paid for in our state. A new study … Continued
