NFIB will closely monitor task force for any proposals detrimental to small business
It bit off more than it could chew and would have created more problems than it would have solved, but the intent of House Bill 441 to smooth the unevenness existing in Utah’s current tax system will now shift to a tax force to solve.
NFIB Utah was part of a coalition of business groups that stopped HB 441 from passing, but the problem remains. Here’s how House Speaker Brad Wilson puts it:
“Utah is growing – which is a good problem to have. However, Utah’s revenue structure will not allow us to keep meeting the needs of Utah citizens in our rapidly growing state.
“Over recent decades, what we previously consumed and what we now consume has changed drastically as we have shifted from a goods-based economy to a services-based economy.
“Without reform, significant aspects of our state could be jeopardized such as transportation, air quality, and access to recreation. In order to avoid this, and to maintain a flexible and balanced budget, we must adjust our taxation and revenue structure.”
To address the revenue problem, leadership in the State House and State Senate formed the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force, which will hold its first meeting, May 30. Click here to see the members and staff of the task force.
Sen. Lyle Hillyard and Rep. Francis Gibson, co-chairmen of the task force, plan to hold between five and eight meetings around the state to get public input on the direction the task force will take. After the panel’s statewide tour, members will meet to develop options that will be reviewed and then possibly sent forward for the Legislature when it reconvenes for its 2020 session.
“Everything is on the table!” said Candace Daly, Utah state director for NFIB. “The task force is starting from scratch. Every option will be explored, including extending the sales tax to services.”
NFIB will be closely monitoring not only all task force meetings but also the subsequent meeting on the plan to hand to legislators next session. NFIB encourages its members to attend one of the task force meetings if they can and check in regularly with the NFIB Utah web page for progress reports.
Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force
First Meeting
Thursday, May 30
5 p.m.
Room 210
Senate Building
Utah State Capitol
Salt Lake City
