This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As a family economist, I am 100 percent in favor of increasing taxes to fund education. However, I strongly oppose the current "Our Schools Now" proposal to increase regressive taxes that will burden low and moderate income Utahns.
Do not increase the sales tax. While the proposed sales tax increase is only a one-half percent, sales taxes are regressive, meaning they fall most heavily on those who can least afford to pay.
The flat income tax is also regressive. It costs low and moderate-income earners more in relation to income than high earners.
As Robert Gehrke wrote: "Bring back the progressive income tax!" A review of the organizers suggests that these prominent business leaders can easily afford higher taxes. According to Gehrke, "raising the income tax rate to 7 percent for individuals making more than a quarter million dollars a year, or couples making double that" would provide $322 million for education.
I would gladly pay higher income taxes to support education under a progressive income tax. Taxes are essential to an educated democracy.
"Our Schools Now" promoters need to go back to the drawing board to craft a more equitable funding proposal.
Increase taxes for education, but get it right.
Jean M. Lown, Ph.D.
Logan