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Show the State of Utah·;lt' · ·- .. . - At the first biennial convention of the .League of Women Voters of Utah the following state agenda i tern was adopted~ _ "A Study of the Fina~cia~ Structure of the State of Utah with Possible Support of Measures to Provide Equitable Taxation and Appropriate Distribution of Revenues." The continuing responsibility was adopted at the 2nd biennia} convention held in 1957. Summary of the Finance Study Part I~ The chief -sources of income for the State of Utah are tax~s, fees·,.liquor profits and federal grants-in-aid. The Utah State r Legislature has full power to enact revenue laws except as limited by the federal and state constitutions. Part IIo The tax structure of Utah has grown from a general property tax in 1849 to a structure including almost every possible kiqd of tax in 19580 The major revenue sources are ._. ~ale _s and use tax, · •• federal grants-in-aid, taxes on motorists, and indtvidual income tax. The Utah State tax commission administers and supervises all state tax laws. Part III. _ The three major expenditures in Utah are for highways, education,. and welfare. Revenues are disposed of i~ -a: variety of ways, either by means ·of the general fund (free revenue) orspecial funds whiclJ. -are designated for a particular spending agEfocy., The budget is the ~i~iponsibility of the governor. Since the major proportion of the stc3:_tes ~evenue i -s "earmarked_" for the various spending agencies without r ·egu1)ir l _eg_~_sl-ative appropriation, the expenditures included in the :~~dget constitute only a part of the total state expenditure. Summary of Leag}~e Consensus and Action League consensus on the finance item dealt primarily with improved . budgetary procedures o During the )-957 legislature, the - state league· • •• suj:iported SB24 which authorized the creation of a legislative auditor or examinero The bill passed. In addition, letters were sent to papers and the appropriate legislators expressing the League's views on budgetary procedure; •. Thus the necess2.ry requirements for a CR had been filled; i.e. study, consensus, action. - In recommending that this CR be adopted, the state board had . the feeling that continued membership attention should be given to this area as other measures develop which would further improve budgetary procedures. Pos~itl ~ Future Action There has been some discussion at the· capital about improvin~ ·the budgetary procedure and related matters. As yet however, no bills have actually been drawn up and presented to the Legislative Council, although the situation may change daily. Sources Utah's Finances and You, Parts I, II,· III o League of Women Voters of Utah Convention Handbook, 2nd Biennial Convention, LWV of Utah 5 Connie Wallace |
