In Utah, as per the state Constitution, all income tax revenue goes towards funding public education. So, any debate about reducing income tax in Utah is really a debate about reducing the funds available for public education.
Although many of the wealthier people in our country and in our Legislature have a publicly stated ideological opposition to a progressive tax based on income, it is also one of many tools used to balance the tax burdens on different segments of society. In Utah's case, maybe it was seen as a way to ensure that the wealthy and business interests who benefited directly from an educated populace that helped maintain the profitability of their workforce as well as attracting business to our state, were also chipping in.
Sales tax is a regressive tax that burdens the poor and lower incomes disproportionately in comparison to the burden of the same sales tax on the same purchase on a higher income person.
Progressive taxes, regressive taxes, user fees, flat-rate taxation, administrative fees, permit and licensing fees — they all have pros and cons but, in a complex way, can all be used to provide appropriate revenues to run our government in a fair and balanced manner.
In this age of tax cut mania I hope our legislators can see past the narrow interests of one group over another, continuing to support the commitment to public education envisioned by the founders of our state.
Keith Homer, Midvale