Despite a nearly $700 million state budget shortfall only smokers in Utah may see their taxes increase this year.
“Whether the people believe it or not, most of us legislators abhor taxes just like the citizens do,” said state Rep. Mel Brown, a Coalville Republican who represents most of Summit County. “The cigarette tax was the one that got the call this year.”
Increasing sales tax on cigarettes by about $1 per pack could generate $44 million next year, Brown said in an interview.
Lawmakers were able to avoid approving additional tax hikes by dipping into the state’s Rainy Day Fund, Brown explained.
“We have tried to make the state government a lot more efficient and a little skinnier while still protecting the essential services for the public,” Brown said.
He expressed optimism about the budget outlook.
“We’ve had some significant budget cuts,” Brown said. “But I don’t think we have done anything that will significantly affect the quality of government.”
However, there remains pressure on state lawmakers to balance the budget before the session ends at midnight Thursday, according to state Rep. Christine Johnson, a Democrat who represents parts of the Snyderville Basin.
Public education could take a 4 percent cut in funding by the time the spending plan is finalized, Johnson said.
“That is just too much,” Johnson said in an interview. “I don’t think that our teachers and I don’t think that our education system can take it.”
Lawmakers should have considered other tax hikes to help fund public education, she said.
“It is shortsighted and a decision I think we’ll regret,” Johnson said.
“My constituents are very willing to take a small tax increase in order to preserve programs and the quality of public and higher education.”
Brown said public education could lose about $21 million, which would be about a 1 percent cut.
“The Legislature made a commitment going in to try to hold education harmless with last year’s budget even though our revenues compared to last year are down another $180 million,” Brown said.
Trimming more from funding for public schools could mean fewer teachers with larger class sizes.
“You basically are sacrificing a lot of kids’ educations because teachers can’t handle that many kids,” Brown said.
Health programs, economic development, corrections and public safety are expected to experience more significant cuts than public education. But funding will likely not be available for new students entering the school system next year.
“Education funding is going to be about what they had last year but we’re not funding new growth,” said state Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, a Vernal Republican who represents Park City.
Meanwhile, Van Tassell said his constituents are concerned that lawmakers will vote to cut funding for tourism promotion in Utah.
Van Tassell said he has supported funneling millions of dollars into state tourism coffers.
“It’s a big deal to the state,” Van Tassell said. “My ultimate goal is to try to do everything we can to contribute to economic growth so we can come out of this as soon as possible.”
Message bills
The Legislature has wasted time debating so-called “message bills” this year, which take aim at the federal government on a number of issues, Johnson lamented.
Lawmakers have sponsored legislation challenging the U.S. government on gun rights and the designation of national monuments.
“Some legislation has also sought to rebuke climate-change theory, and they unfortunately passed,” Johnson said. “I’ve been certainly disappointed by some of the legislation run by those who seek backlash against the Obama administration.”
However, Brown said the bills that send a message to the federal government about the importance of state rights are vital to the legislative process.
“I’ve always been in agreement with the fact that I think state rights have been taken away by the federal government beyond what the Constitution intended,” Brown said.