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Letter: Tax reform plan would fall on the poor

Gov. Gary Herbert’s 2020 budget recommendations are not the way to “modernize” Utah’s tax code.

While he states that taxing services in addition to goods will “broaden the sales tax base,” any type of sales tax places a larger portion of tax responsibility on the poor. Although Herbert suggests lowering the sales tax rate in an attempt to balance the expenses for consumers created by this new tax, the tax would still disproportionately burden those of lower income.

Who would be the purchasers of these newly taxed services? The same people who are already paying sales tax on goods. This would not increase the base of people who pay sales tax, but would instead add additional burden to those who already are.

Herbert is relying on a regressive form of taxation, which inequitably burdens people of lower income brackets. The more equitable solution entails amending our state Constitution so that our state income tax — which is currently responsible for our budget surplus — can be allocated for expenses other than education.

Do not support Herbert’s feeble attempt at tax modernization. We are a state of innovation and we can do better.

Erin Drum, Salt Lake City

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