Utah Site Visit 2007

2007-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mountain View Corridor & I-15

2007-08-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

The Utah Department of Transportation has announced its preferred route for connecting the proposed Mountain View Corridor highway into I-15, and I believe it is ill-conceived and will permanently damage my neighborhood and further dissect Lehi, which is already divided by I-15.

I know that building a bridge to connect into I-15 at the county line would be more expensive, but I'm sure it would cost less, all individual costs considered.

I feel powerless about this decision. What can be done to reverse the UDOT position?

Stephen K. Thomas
Banker
Lehi

Thank you for your question and concern regarding the best alignment for the connection with I-15 in Lehi.

Recent discussions have suggested that a bridge at 4800 North may actually cost significantly less and have much less impact on the environment as well as the community, while at the same time, being more efficient in addressing traffic flow and congestion.

We recently went on a site visit to the proposed 2100 North / 4800 North area by legislative leadership, Lehi City leaders, and the Chair of the Transportation Commission. After the visit, we asked UDOT and the Transportation Commission to re-visit the proposed alignment decision to address the concerns and alternatives suggested by many, many Lehi residents.

Stay tuned, and stay involved.

No decision has been made, but many in the legislature are now aware of this issue and are looking into it.

Sincerely,

Curt Bramble
Senate Majority Leader

Need closer scrutiny on appropriated $$

2007-08-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Why is there not closer scrutiny on appropriated $$$. For example, money to districts for increasing teacher's salaries in at least one district NEVER got to TEACHERS. Administrators use it to multiply administrative positions. With the only type of accountability being submission of paper reports it's easy to obfuscate and do what you want. The more layers of bureaucracy, the easier it is, i.e. the federal government.

In our state, we hear persiflage and bombast from too many of those so-called leaders. It would be easy to go on, but is there any use?

Jerry
Fielding

Site Visit Day 2: Salt Lake County

2007-08-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Participating in the Electronic Town meeting! President Valentine, Representatives Carl Wimmer, Curt Oda, and David Clark all using their Blackberry powers for good.

On the Bus: Lane Beattie, President of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, guides a tour of the Valley.

The Oquirrh Mountains from the bus

A stop on the way; the budding Daybreak community

LDS Temple under construction near Daybreak.

Former Governor of Utah, Norm Bangerter, speaks to the group about the future of the far-western third of the Salt Lake Valley.

Lane Beattie, Senators Dmitrich, Goodfellow and VanTassel.

Tom Dolan, Mayor of the City of Sandy, addresses the group.

ReAL Salt Lake stadium under construction in Sandy.

Happy Birthday Senator Goodfellow!

City Creek Development - Downtown Salt Lake.

Toy trucks.

Viewing the work going on downtown.

Its a bird, its a plane....

Take a last look. This building will disappear Saturday Morning at 6:45 a.m.

This ZCMI structure will be carefully removed and restored. When the downtown construction is nearing completion it will be placed on the new building.

The Historic Utah Theater on Main Street in Downtown Salt Lake.

Utah Theater's Tiffany Skylight.

The once and future balcony of the theater.

A look inside the Frontrunner commuter rail. It was air-conditioned so the afternoon group took refuge inside.

Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, discussing the future of downtown Salt Lake City.

View from the U. Beautiful sunset tonight, but the photo didn't catch it.

Approaching Adjournment

2007-08-16T20:42:00.001-07:00

We have arrived at the moment in every town meeting when the moderator weighs the pile of 3x5 cards in his or her hand, gauges the weariness of the participants, glances at the clock and realizes there will not be time to answer all the questions before it's time to go home.

This is not that kind of meeting.

We'll post the questions on which we are still gathering answers. We'll post the statements and the diatribes. As more legislator responses arrive we'll post those too.

Salt Lake and Davis County residents (or anyone else, for that matter) can continue to read - and will continue to freely discuss the issues by clicking the time stamp at the end of each section. Legislators or legislative staffers may continue to add information.

The On-line Town Meeting will adjourn on Friday at 9:00 a.m., but how, exactly, do you define adjournment in a gathering of this nature? We certainly appreciate you for your concern for the state & community and for joining this on-line experiment.

Henry's Law

2007-08-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

I first want to thank all of you who have the compassion & sense to support Henrys Law. Utah is one in only 7 states that does not make animal torture & cruelty a crime. As the horrific details of the Vick case unfolded, I could not help but think our Utah Representatives have to do all possible to pass this law. These (dogs) innocent living beings deserve to live a life free of torture and abuse.

Utah is too great not to have animal cruelty charged as a felony crime. As it stands, Utah has a welcome mat out to all "dog fighting" betting rings. The money that is made from these sadistic events, far outweigh any misdemeanor charge, if caught. Please pass this very important bill. We as humans have to protect those that cannot protect themselves. Because we can. King, Mathis, Gibson & Clark need to wise up.

D'marie
Realtor
Cottonwood Heights

Note: This question was at least partially addressed in an earlier post.

Embarrassing Moment?

2007-08-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

All the questions have been so serious. What was your most embarrassing moment as a legislator?

Abbie Evenson
Centerville

In one of my first general session meetings, I raised my right arm to the square instead of placing my right hand over my heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. What makes this more embarrassing is the fact that I sit on the front row. It must have been freshman jitters.

Wayne Niederhauser
Utah State Senator, District 9

That's a loaded question. The answer is: when I answered this exact same question in a public meeting!

Dan Eastman
Senate Majority Whip

One of my personal "moments" occurred during a floor debate on a tough bill I was sponsoring. We had debated for over an hour and it was going to be a close vote. After finishing summation, I sat down for the vote count. Many Senators were explaining their vote, so it was taking a long time. I was called away from the floor by a Legislative Staff member for "just a moment" . . . And I missed the vote on my own Bill! Luckily, it passed without my vote and the body let me cast a late affirmative vote on my Bill (after a sound ribbing...).

John L. Valentine
President of the Utah State Senate

Property Tax? Shift to Income and Sales Tax

2007-08-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

With the property evaluations going through the roof in Davis and other counties raising the property tax several hundred dollars placing a great financial burden on "fixed income" Utah citizens, is it not time the legislature reduced or, even better, eliminated the most unfair tax placed on those least able to pay?

I keep reading where some of you and our present governor are spending time trying to enact a flat tax on income which is already a flat tax on about 90% of the population because the brackets are about 40 years behind income. Property tax could be replaced by simply following the IRS and have "real brackets in a "graduated" income tax placing the tax burden on those that can best afford it not on retired who have worked a lifetime just to obtain a home.

The fairest tax of all is sales tax. We choose what we buy. If we feel the tax is to high we can choose not to buy or postpone till we have enough money to buy. Even with food we can choose less expensive items or watch for sales. We have control over both income and sales tax by our choices. You as legislatures choose what we pay for property tax by giving that authority to agencies to turn on their adding machines telling us to pay whatever figure they come up with or lose the home we spent a lifetime paying for.

Please listen to your own conscience and do what is right by capping or eliminating property tax and allowing income and sales tax to cover the cost to run the schools and state. Thank you!

Ray Jones
Retired
St. George

I live in Iron County. During 2006 appraised values increased on the average 51% (some raw lands went up as much as 1000%). This caused considerable frustration to landowners since those whose value went up above average saw huge property tax increases while others saw their property taxes drop.

The property tax is the most hated tax because it is not predictable and because it is generally paid in a lump sum. There are 22 states who have addressed this problem. A few like California limit the amount of increase a homeowner can see any given year. This results in great inequities. Most states who have addressed the problem allow for a deferral of payment of increases in taxes until the property sells, at which time the taxes become payable and the taxpayer has the money to pay them. Representative Froerer and myself ran a bill last year to allow seniors to have this option; however, it did not pass. We are planning to try it again in the 2008 session. If you are interested in looking at this option, please E-mail us.

Dennis Stowell
Utah State Senator, District 28

Clean Air Questions

2007-08-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

The citizens of the State of Utah have become more concerned as of late regarding the quality of our air and environment in general. Rather than supporting the construction of new coal fired power plants in Utah could the legislature invest some money in Utah companies that are developing renewable solar and geothermal technologies?The investment capital market has not paid attention to this market, and they could use some seed money to make them viable.

Also, are we going to oppose the construction of the proposed Nevada power plants that will place the Wasatch front directly downwind from the particle, and mercury emissions that they will release. The emissions from these plants will worsen the air quality along the Wasatch front and contribute to a mercury problem that is already at a critical level.

Cris G. Cowley, M.D.
Physician
Salt Lake City

Don't Increase the Tobacco Tax

2007-08-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Mr. Rush Hamrick, carpenter, Sandy resident, called the Town Meeting Hotline with the following comment:

Mr. Hamrick called to express his opposition to another increase on tobacco. If the proposed increase is successful, it would mean that the price of cigarettes will have increased 156% since the year 2000. He opposes the increase and says it is unfair to raise the price that much in such a short time. He pointed out that his wages have not increased that much. The proposed increase for tobacco is unjust.

Special Session on Wednesday

2007-08-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Greg Hartley just stopped by our office and dropped off a mighty official-looking document with a golden seal and the following text:

WHEREAS, since the adjournment of the 2007 General Session of the Fifty-Seventh Legislature of the State of Utah, matters have arisen that require immediate legislative attention; and,

WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Utah provides that the Governor may, by proclamation, convene the Legislature into Special Session;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Utah, do by this Proclamation call the Fifty-Seventh Legislature of the State of Utah into a First Special Session at the State Capitol Complex, in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the 22nd day of August 2007, at 10 a.m., for the following purposes:

1. To consider legislation modifying provisions related to the creation of a new school district;

2. To consider legislation regarding equalization of funding for school district capital outlay in counties of the first class;

3. To consider legislation providing for enhanced penalties for animal cruelty: and,

4. To consider a resolution approving Garfield County expansion of correctional facilities.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand . . . yada, yada, yada.

Yeah!

Carlene Walker
Utah State Senator
District 8

Education's Role in Building Community

2007-08-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

If it is done right, one of the merits of a public school education is its emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of everyone in our community; that all of our citizens belong, that we are obliged to make reasonable room for each other, that regardless of differences of opinion or background, we are fundamentally one community.

My question is: Are there provisions in the school voucher bill(s) that ensure that public funds aren't used to support teaching children divisive (or even anti-American) ideologies?

Ross A. Collier
Salt Lake County

Teacher Morale

2007-08-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Considering all the press concerning the recent teacher shortage, I am amazed that rarely is teacher morale addressed when discussing possible solutions. Yet, it seems obvious to me that teachers encouraging other teachers would be a number one resource in recruiting good teachers to the profession. Therefore, how do you plan to make teachers feel respected and appreciated in Utah so that they will come here and/or stay?

Kristy Johansen
School Teacher
West Jordan

That is a very thought-provoking question. First, the state is not the employer of teachers. Hiring and all other labor-related issues rest with the local school boards. The state sets general guidelines - usually after hearing from parents, teachers, and boards. We also give money with emphasis on funding priorities, but we do not negotiate contracts. Each district is different.

So, the first place to address your concerns is with the local school boards. Don't let them pass the buck. No one wants the state, either the Legislature or the State Board, to run each local school. Second, most occupations are facing shortages in the future because our children are losing their willingness to take the necessary education needed to qualify to fill the positions. We, as parents, are giving our children what they want so they don't tend to worry about the future. We need to awaken our people to the price of what not caring brings. I'm out of time, but would be willing to discuss this in more detail later.

Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, District 25

I think we are very concerned about our teachers' morale as they have our future and our economy in their classrooms. Although the ultimate responsibility and authority lies with the local school boards, the Utah State Legislature tries to augment the WPU every year. This year we became so concerned with the salary situation that we funded a raise and bonus pay plan for our teachers with strings attached that would make it very difficult for districts to not pass the extra "morale" pay on to teachers working in the trenches. We also funded public education at unprecedented levels and most of us hope that will continue.

Senator Michael Waddoups
Representing Taylorsville & West Jordan

Audio response from the back of the Site Visit Bus.

I think you hit the problem right on the head. Our teachers will never be happy until their morale improves. Years ago I worked for Martin Marrietta Corporation in Oregon in a management position and soon learned that until you could create good morale among the workers, there was a large turnover. Certainly money is a factor in a teacher's morale but there are also many other things needed to create morale. I am interested to hear from our teachers what some of those other factors are. Please E-mail me.

Dennis Stowell
Utah State Senator, District 28

Prop. 13

2007-08-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

A Calif. Prop. 13 type initiative has been suggested as an appropriate solution to the continuing pressure on County residential property tax. Here is a slightly different perspective:

Since the State legislature has several more sources of revenue than the County, why doesn't the State pay it's "fair share" of County expenses? Here are only two examples:

1) jail remuneration...current statute says the State is obligated to pay only 70% of the expense of a State prisoner in a County jail. That means residential property tax pays what the State doesn't... As anyone watching knows, when the appropriated fund for remuneration is exhausted, the State stops paying jail remuneration for the rest of that year.

2) Court Bailiff: County budget is only compensated for time in court (not training, vacation, etc.) even though the Bailiff may be assigned full time to the Court. One could also discuss examples from other County services.

My question: Will the State step up to its "fair share" before a Prop. 13 type initiative is pressed by the over-burdened residential taxpayer?

Robert Hood
Retired
Davis County

Payday Lending

2007-08-16T14:08:00.001-07:00

Why won't the Legislature consider reforms on payday lending businesses? Utah is one of the friendliest states to these predatory lenders, and it shows. The Deseret News reported that Utah has more payday lenders than McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, and 7-Elevens--combined. At interest rates of around 500%, these places can devastate a family's fragile finances. Utah doesn't need more bankruptcies. Why not consider some intelligent regulations?

Tim
Salt Lake City

Payday lending is a lucrative business. The Legislature has been concerned with its usury-like pricing. However, it is also one of the least-complained about consumer industries. Customers seem quite satisfied with the service it provides. We will continue to study its practices and regulate as needed.

Dan Eastman
Senate Majority Whip

Litter Control

2007-08-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

I'm committed to having a world that works for everyone. Westpointe is probably one of the most diverse (religiously, ethnically, etc.) districts in the state. Because many of our residents are new to this country, they (or their parents and grandparents) weren't around when Lady Bird Johnson did her "Keep America Beautiful Campaign". So, we're doing a mini-version in our area. It's called, "Lift us Up, Don't Throw it Down, Put Litter in its Place".

It's a saturation campaign, with yard signs, posters in the schools and businesses, additional garbage cans on Redwood Road and stickers on private garbage cans saying, "Thanks for your litter, For lifting us Up." Rep Neuenschwander gave me the contacts, before he left on vacation, to make much of this possible. And I want to tell him that the Rose Park Stake and the Rose Park North Stake will "Adopt a Highway" and will handle the litter clean-up of Redwood Road on a monthly basis. Thank you, Paul.

Leslie Reynolds-Benns
Author, Educator, Ordained Minister
Westpointe (Salt Lake - but Davis in the Legislature)

Thanks for your post, Leslie. It's refreshing to hear a success story. Thank you for sharing this with us, and thank you Paul for your efforts.

John L. Valentine
President of the Utah State Senate

Unfunded Mandates

2007-08-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm concerned with the number of "unfunded mandates" that come down from the Legislature, impacting our taxes on the local level. In a similar vein, the legislature often promises matching funds, for things like "corridor preservation", which entices counties to raise taxes/fees that would otherwise remain low.

These policy decisions allow local, as well as state officials to be "little Pilate's" as they shift blame for taxes and fees imposed upon citizens.

What is the proper role of the legislature in offering incentives and mandates for how local governments prioritize spending?

Tyler Farrer
Technical Support
North Salt Lake

Dear Tyler,

You make a good point. Un-funded mandates pose a major problem for local government officials across the state as well as the nation. As state leaders we have sent a strong message to the Federal Government: “no more un-funded mandates.” The Utah State Legislature has made real efforts in the past few years to stop the practice of passing un-funded mandates along to county or city governments. Over a third of the members of the House and Senate have had extensive experience in local government, many serving as mayors and city council persons as well as city and county administrators. These legislators know first hand the problems with mandates of any kind. Many of us ask the question before we vote for any legislation, “how will this affect local government?” We will continue our efforts to stay out of the business of telling local government what to do and how to do it.

When it comes to the transportation problems our state will face in the coming years, we believe that both state and local government must develop partnerships in seeking solutions. The corridor preservation efforts over the past two years is a perfect example which will benefit everyone in Utah. Experience shows that when local governments have a stake in the problem as well as the solution, all our citizens are winners. We can no longer ignore the need for transportation corridors throughout Utah. The Corridor Preservation fund as well as other transportation partnerships will save billions of tax payer dollars over the next few decades while at the same time sustaining the lifeblood of our state's economy.

We believe the proper role of the Legislature is to involve our city and county officials in the process of providing better more cost effective government. The people deserve it, and our system of government demands it.

Brad Dee
Utah State Representative, Assistant Majority Whip, District 11

Bike Lanes

2007-08-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

This question was called in to the Town Meeting Hotline:

Can the Legislature look into creating safe, designated bike lanes for commuters to ride their bikes to and from work safely between Davis County and Salt Lake County?

Alex Pashley
Bountiful

Mr. Pashley, thanks for your participation and your interest in the topic of biking as a part of commuting. As you may know the Legacy Parkway has an exceptional trail for both bikers and pedestrians, which will link up with the bike paths along the Jordan River. However, that will not help commuters from the east side of Davis County to get to downtown. Getting through the Beck Street area is, as you surely know, very difficult. I will pass your concern on to UDOT, and in the long term, as I-15 is rebuilt in several years I will push to see that this will be addressed.

In the short term, I will ask UDOT what they suggest, but my guess is there is no funding for this and even identifying a safe route will be difficult. I suggest that you have any biking organizations contact me so we can arrange a meeting with UDOT to discuss what routes and safety protections are necessary to protect biking commuters and bikers generally along this corridor. It will be necessary to show that there are sufficient numbers to justify the expense.

Best,

Greg Bell
Utah State Senate, District 22

Note: we received this E-mail from UDOT (thanks for the quick response!):

>>> Carlos Braceras 8/16/2007 11:22 AM >>>
Senator Bell and Ric, we are actually under construction of a bike lane on Beck street that should be completed this summer. The Cities are also working to tie their east-west trails into the Legacy trail system, so the future looks bright for bikers. The web site (UDOT.utah.gov), if you go to the "public" tab, has additional information on biking.

Air Quality, Sex Offenders and Utah's Children

2007-08-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Why can Utah not have the same air quality standards as California or another state in which they are activiley trying to clean up their air? They have done all the work why not copy what they are doing. I too am planning to move and have convinced my extnded family to move because of the air and the lack of concern by the citizens in this state. A state that allows a medical incinerator to be less then a mile from a neighborhood or wants to build more coal plants is just frustrating and maddening to me. There is a reason why we have a high rate of Autism and asthma in this state. I am scared to have anymore children here.

Another maddening and unbelievable problem in Utah is that we allow SEX OFFENDERS to live anywhere they want!!!!! They can live right next to a school!!! How assinine is that!! I was told when I moved here that this was a state that loved children. I have only seen the opposite here, i.e. bad air, sex offenders, lack of parks, bad healthcare. So my question is this, WHY DO WE ALLOW SEX OFFENDERS TO LIVE NEXT TO SCHOOLS? WHY ARE WE GIVING THEM ACCESS TO OUR CHILDREN? WE ARE FEEDING OUR CHILDREN TO THE LIONS! We have more sex offenders then 27 other states. More then VEGAS(sin city) They come here because we are a nieve state. Please protect my children. I feel like to be a good mom I need to move to somewhere, where I feel like they care about the well being of the people. Please Utah WAKE UP!!

Becky Laroza
Mother
West Jordan

Preserving Open Space

2007-08-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

In the rush to pave over Utah and feed land sales greed, insufficient consideration is given to preserving natural open space.

Like Southern California, the people who profit from sprawl will be long gone in time. The mass development is like a swarm of locusts who feed on the crop and leave the damage in their wake. I'm sure Watts, California was a wonderful place to live once. The future of Salt Lake Valley deserves more.

A prime example is the soccer field complex that will take over the one-time state park and migratory bird area in Rose Park. Rather than preserve some of the last natural open space for generations and wildlife, another cookie cutter field will take its place.

When I was in my birth state of California, a man at a golf course I visited couldn't visualize the surrounding hills as open space whatsoever, nor the golf course as a place I hiked in my youth.

We need to preserve parts of the state so generations to come will see what land looks like without man's heavy handed stamp. I have little hope anyone will care about my words, with the exception of Ralph Becker, whom I thank for his years of dedication and forward vision.

Lucy Knorr
Paralegal / Photographer
Salt Lake City, Avenues

Ms. Knorr, Rep. Becker has been strongly committed to open space preservation. There are others on the Republican side as well. Republicans sponsored the Quality Growth Commission and the LeRay McCallister Critical Land Conservation Fund. We funded $3M for this budget year for the acquisition of critical lands in the state. That is a significant commitment, but clearly not enough to buy/preserve all the critical lands we would like to...even though the Fund leverages by combining with municipalities and private preservation groups as well as state agencies and landowners who want to preserve open space, habitat, watershed and other critical lands.

There continues to be a vigorous debate in the Legislature about the proper policy for preserving open space in a state which is owned almost 80% by government entities, principally the federal government, on which lands development is severely limited. Moreover, the majority in the Legislature has taken the tack that preservation is more of a local than a state issue. Park City and Draper, for instance have passed bonds to acquire and preserve open space for their communities.

Greg Bell
Utah State Senator, District 22

Bear Lake

2007-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Apparently some Bear Lake fans have joined the town meeting. We received these three comments.

We need to try and get moving on the marina at Bear Lake. The old one is way too small (waiting lists are years) and too old. One of our boating friends was hurt when the dock arm failed to support his 175lbs. I really would love Utah to keep making more and more money on the use of the marina. It must be a money making profit center for the State.

Marie Phipps
General Contractor
Farmington

Please issue funding to build a Deep Water Marina @ Bear Lake State Park. Due to the dry years the Marina's use is limited. There is a waiting list for slips and Bear Lake to the top Money producer in the State Park System. The current design creates havoc because so many boats travel through the 30 foot wide entrance. The time to act is now.

Jeff Cohen
Park City

In 1996 Bear Lake Marina was reopened and has received inadequate funding to maintain the docks, picnic area and sanitation facilities. The docks on the North side are over 30 years old presenting safety issues. The mouth of the Marina is less than 25 yards wide presenting safety issues with boats crowding, trying to get into the Marina.

I understand that Bear Lake is one of the few State Parks that actually shows a profit and the waiting list for slips ranges up to five years. My two questions are, why has the Park been allowed to deteriorate? 2. What are the plans for the replacement of the North side docks and or a new Marina?

Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake and Willard Bay all have received additional funding and their usage is minimal in comparison.

Richard Walsh
Retired/Consultant
Davis

Bear Lake is in my district so I'll answer this one. I believe the marina was improved 5 or more years ago but is now on both the Governor's and Division of State Park's list for the next session's top priority. The plan is to build a much larger marina adjacent to the present one. We have not done a good job in funding for normal wear and tear to our parks until last year when we gave State Parks an unrestricted $2.0 Million for that purpose.

We actually visited the State Marina at Bear Lake during the site visit two years ago (here's a picture) and we got to see and understand the problems you mentioned first hand (so, see - some good things do come from these site visits). Thank you for your question. If I run into you at the lake this summer I'll treat you to a Raspberry Shake.

Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator
District 25

This comment arrived 8/20/07:

Name: Mayor Kenneth Hansen
Community: Town of Garden City

Comments: The expansion of the Bear Lake Marina will be a great addition to the marina. My concern is the already congested highway leading to and from the marina. That state road is not adequate to handle the traffic in that area and the expansion will only add to the congestion. We have had numberous accidents on that road just this summer. If the expansion is approved I request that the state look at lowering the speed limit in that area and widening the road in front of the marina so we don't add to the number of accidents.

What am I missing?

2007-08-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Always encouraging/subsidizing new business to come into Utah only brings the same equivalent of new residents, with the net result being just more people, conjection and complication of social problems that go along with it.

So why are you and the Governor always on that bandwagon?

Warren S. Wright
Retired
St. George

Property Tax Discussion

2007-08-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

What can be done to replace the property tax or revise the property tax so people on fixed incomes will not be forced out of their homes. Why are we one of the highest taxed states in the US, when we have natural resources which could provide a substantial severance tax.

Crae Carpenter
Retired in Layton

An hour later Mrs. Raye Kirkman of West Valley City. phoned a similar concern into the Town Meeting Hotline. From our stellar staff on the phone lines:

Mrs. Kirkman is a senior citizen. She and her husband are on a minimal fixed income. Her property taxes are $1,400 per year. She asked why the legislature did not adjust senior citizens' property taxes. Many states have capped their property taxes at the rate it was when the individual retired. She questioned why seniors need to keep paying into the Granite School District. Families that have children should pay more taxes. People should pay their fair share and pay their own way. She lives in West Valley and questioned why she is paying taxes for places in Magna. She said that the requirement to make less than $26,000 before being eligible to receive circuit breaker help is ludicrous. Legislators should put constituents before the church. The church should not be the first call they make until they vote.

Thank you for speaking out on the property tax issue. The legislature cannot change much with property tax without changing the constitution. This requires a vote of the people. The system we have today fairly distributes the property tax based on value. I have seriously looked at other ways, but none are as fair and objective as value.

In Utah, parents don't pay for a child's education while the child is in school. It takes a lifetime of paying property and income taxes. Today, the state pays $7,500 per year to educate a child. That is almost $100,000 from kindergarten through high school in today's dollars. A little over half of your property taxes go to schools. That would be a little over $700 for you, which would take almost a century and a half to pay for one child with property tax alone. Despite some of the draw backs, the structure of our property tax system is well founded. I do feel that we need to make some reforms by making it harder to raise property taxes. This can be done by requiring a vote of the people before property tax revenues are increased. We also need to adjust the circuit breaker because of recent inflation in property values. Hopefully, these reforms can give you some relief in years to come.

On the child issue, having a young population is good. There are many states and countries struggling to support older populations because they the younger generations are small.

Wayne Niederhauser
Utah State Senator, District 9

Why Concealed?

2007-08-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

I read in the papers this morning that several (4) legislators had to surrender their concealed guns before being allowed to tour the Chevron Refinery. What struck me were the comments about their apparent need to protect themselves while on this legislative bus tour.

I do not understand the logic of the concealed weapons law.

Wouldn't people be safer and better protected if all weapons were worn in holsters and in full view for the public to see? No criminal would dare attack a legislator (or his family) if they could see the gun from the outset. No bank robber would dare rob if half the people in line were obviously packin'.

Susan Atkin
Salt Lake County

Smokestack Emissions Statement

2007-08-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

I was sitting next to a guy in Farmington who sells nationwide monitors that GE produces that require emissions to be monitored 24/7/365 on computers. He told me that UTAH was the only state in the nation who does not require the remote monitors and we have the pollution to prove it. I have had to purchase these $5000 monitors for insurance companies to regulate humidity/temp/polution on residential water damages. I am small time to the big boys. I think its time we required monitoring on those stacks.

Marie Phipps
General Contractor
Farmington