Taxing Times
March 24, 2011
2011 Taxpayers Association Legislative Scorecard – NOW AVAILABLE
The 2011 Taxpayers Association Legislative Scorecard is now available. The 2011 scorecard rates Utah’s 104 legislators on fourteen key taxpayer related bills. The average score in the Utah House of Representatives is 68 percent and the average State Senate score is 75 percent. View the full scorecard to see how your legislators scored.
Taxpayers Association: 2011 Legislative Scorecard
Tax Foundation: Siphoning Off The Gas Tax
The Tax Foundation reports that numerous states are looking to siphon off increasing gas tax revenue in response to budget needs. Coincidently, during the 2011 legislative session, Utah legislators siphoned off and spent $5 million in gas and oil severance tax revenue instead of depositing the revenue into the Permanent State Trust Fund for future generations.
Tax Foundation: As Prices Rise; Select States Siphon Off More Gas Tax Revenue
Utah Tax Revenue Down by 17 Percent Over Last Two Years
New census data shows that Utah’s total state government tax receipts dropped by 17 percent in the last two years. 39 other states also received less in taxes in FY2010. State legislatures across the country have been forced to find solutions to balance their budgets. The Utah Legislature continues to lead the charge to reduce government spending instead of raising taxes and pushing a greater burden on taxpayers.
Deseret News: Census Reveals Recession’s Toll on Utah Tax Revenue