Call it the Joint Committee on Governmental Overreach.
The Utah Legislature has begun this session, as it often does, with a promise of minimal government and a reality of inserting itself into other people’s business.
But legislative leaders may have reached their Waterloo with House Bill 175 creating a Joint Committee on Governmental Oversight. The bill would give a super-committee of legislators leverage over local governments, school boards and even the state agencies under the governor. The bill’s sponsor compared it to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee recently led by former Rep. Jason Chaffetz. And he meant that as a good thing.
But the bill stumbled Thursday when cities and counties joined the governor to push back. It didn’t even make it out of the House Government Operations Committee, although that may not be the end of it. Even if it does advance, it may not pass constitutional muster. It is up against the separation of powers. The legislative branch can’t go mucking around in the executive branch.
What we should be seeing instead is a robust and open debate on taxes, which unquestionably is the Legislature’s responsibility. It’s highly likely there will be legislation to raise taxes to benefit schools. Faced with the possibility of voters doing it themselves in the form of the Our Schools Now initiative, legislators are hard at work on formulating a counter proposal.
But we’re not seeing that debate. Between closed caucuses by the GOP super-majorities in both houses and rules that allow bills to be sprung in the final weeks, we are all primed for a legislative ramrod at the end of the session. When we reach that point, get ready for someone to say there isn’t time for more debate.
And that’s too bad. It’s a good debate, one that covers sales, income, gas and probably other taxes. Income tax increases can bring lots of cash, but they also have the biggest impact on both families and businesses. And, given Utah’s flat tax structure, middle-income households feel income tax increases the most.
Meanwhile, sales taxes have become slippery. First there’s the battle over internet sales, which has to be solved at a federal level. Then there’s the rise in services. Should we be paying sales tax for those? Without them, sales taxes may not produce enough.
The conversation also pulls in transportation funding. Money that goes there may go to schools instead, meaning road money could come from elsewhere. That, in turn, may reflect on air quality priorities.
School funding is always the biggest cost and concern for Utah taxpayers, and this year is looking like change may be afoot.
Instead of meddling in others’ work, legislators, let us watch you do your own jobs.