Issue Position: Tax Reform

Issue Position

It's no secret that last year the State Legislature tried to tackle a massive overhaul of our state tax system. The legislation that passed was repealed earlier this year, as a response to voices from the community. Despite the contention around this important topic, I am grateful to live in a country where the people can participate in the legislative process through public forums, committee attendance, and when needed, referendum.

The tax reform overhaul wasn't perfect, but it did bring an important topic to the forefront of Utahns' minds. As Utahans spend more money on services and less on goods, I believe we will have to update our state tax system (much like we did to account for lost revenue dollars to online sales). Modernizing our tax structure over time will protect funding for healthcare, roads, and students.

Recently, we've had to put together the state budget in the face of an economic downturn, which has forced the Legislature to make hard decisions and do more with less. I believe the lessons learned from that budgeting process and the feedback we received during tax reform will drive the conversation around improving our tax structure and preparing our state for a modern economy.

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