Macdonald nearly lost his job almost 20 years ago over nearly the same issue that got him in trouble recently - expressing opinions contrary to those of the administration.
According to news reports this week, Macdonald decided to retire after receiving three letters in one day from commissioners warning him "when staff is representing the Tax Commission . . . they are not free to express their own positions, opinions and views."
In 1988, Republican legislators representing affluent districts were under pressure from their constituents because a year earlier, the Legislature did away with the federal income tax deduction on state income tax returns. That hit high-income taxpayers hard, because for them, those deductions were substantial.
The Republican-dominated Legislature passed the measure at the behest of a little band of Democrats whose votes were needed to pass Gov. Norm Bangerter's nearly $200 million tax increase. In addition, the Democrats forced the Republican Goliath to increase the number of low-income people exempt from income taxes.
Bangerter was in the political fight of his life for re-election because of the tax increase, and a special session was held to return a portion of the federal tax deduction to appease the fat cats.
An internal memo within the tax commission expressed concern that the refunds being proposed were too much and would hurt the economy.
The chicken feathers hit the fan when Frank Prante, a Democratic representative from Logan, got hold of the confidential memo and read it on the floor of the House during the special session.
Bangerter, it was reported, reacted in a way that disturbed the slumber of Governor's Mansion neighbors far more than when Gov. Mike Leavitt's kids had a late night rock-band party on the mansion's grounds years later.
Heads were sought and Macdonald's was in clear sight of the guillotine. But in the end, he survived to dissent another day.
Back to the future? You wonder why the American auto industry is in trouble?
The 2007 Chevy Tahoe came out in January - of 2006.
The Wayward Bus: The Utah Transit Authority's campaign to educate commuters on all the bus route changes effective later this month fell short in places.
Riders on the west side of the valley were scratching their heads over a flier's partial explanations, like Route 327, which will "turn north on 4000 West, continue east to 2700 West . . . " It never says what road it takes between 4000 West and 2700 West.
One rider followed the flier's advice and got onto UTA's Web site for more information.
Nothing.
He called UTA and got a woman who said all she knows is what's on the flier.
