Feathering One's Nest
The Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has rolled out the public relations cannons to convince everyone, or at least those people whose decisions will make a difference, that God, flag and country will be better served if the Legislature allows counties to add a sales tax to pay for mass transit expansions instead of a property tax increase to pay off a voter-approved bond.
The argument is that a sales tax will be more regionally accepted so transit needs can extend beyond Salt Lake County to other areas that have needs. And it will raise more money than the alternative, they add.
They don't say much, however, about who will benefit from a sales tax increase over a property tax increase and who will be hurt by that scenario.
Just remember who makes the chamber of commerce. It's representatives of Utah's biggest businesses, therefore its largest property holders. They are the ones who would pick up the lions share of the property tax. While small residential taxpayers -- the little guys -- would be impacted less. But the little guys would be hurt most on the sales tax increase because that would take a larger proportionate chunk out of their income availability.
Remember the chamber has many members, but those with the loudest voices are the ones with the biggest holdings.
What I don't understand is why the chamber is pushing for a special session to get the legislation done now.
One of the big pushers behind the idea is Zions Bank, an influential player in the chamber. The way Zions has been getting its own employees to run for the Legislature, and being very successful at it, you'd think the strategy would be to wait until January when the new Legislature is seated, with a few more Zions guys, to better insure the desired outcome.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
The argument is that a sales tax will be more regionally accepted so transit needs can extend beyond Salt Lake County to other areas that have needs. And it will raise more money than the alternative, they add.
They don't say much, however, about who will benefit from a sales tax increase over a property tax increase and who will be hurt by that scenario.
Just remember who makes the chamber of commerce. It's representatives of Utah's biggest businesses, therefore its largest property holders. They are the ones who would pick up the lions share of the property tax. While small residential taxpayers -- the little guys -- would be impacted less. But the little guys would be hurt most on the sales tax increase because that would take a larger proportionate chunk out of their income availability.
Remember the chamber has many members, but those with the loudest voices are the ones with the biggest holdings.
What I don't understand is why the chamber is pushing for a special session to get the legislation done now.
One of the big pushers behind the idea is Zions Bank, an influential player in the chamber. The way Zions has been getting its own employees to run for the Legislature, and being very successful at it, you'd think the strategy would be to wait until January when the new Legislature is seated, with a few more Zions guys, to better insure the desired outcome.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
2:50 PM
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