Utah Democrats proposed a 5% tax hike for the wealthiest 2% of Utahns in order to cover a 400 million dollar hole in Utah's higher education and public education budgets. Utah currently taxes its citizens at a flat rate. That's right. People earning more than $750,000 a year pay the same rate as people earning $20,000 a year.
Of course, Utah Republicans rejected the proposal...'Cause it sounded like Communism to them...
Monday, February 22, 2010
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They are also considering removing the 12th grade. They like 'em dumb in Utah.
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/16/conservatives-eliminating-12th-grade/
FYI, here are some the things they have proposed to cut:
"For example, it would require the early release of more than 200 prison inmates, eliminate 29 Highway Patrol troopers, cut off prenatal care for 5,600 poor mothers, chop domestic violence services and reduce funding for the victims of child abuse.
" While the skeleton budget spares public education from the reductions, it does not provide any additional funding for the net increase of 11,000 students who will be in classrooms next year.
As a result, Utah's already last-in-the-nation per-pupil spending would drop by another $90 -- a per-pupil reduction of about 3 percent."
Naturally, these decisions have led Utah lawmakers to say things like this: "This is why I believe Utah is the best-run state in America."
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14456164
Holy shit, Utah. You'd have to have gone through the Utah education system to be able to utter the phrase: "This is why I believe Utah is the best-run state in America."
Utah isn't alone. Illinois also taxes everyone at a flat rate, and the reason for it is clear: when moments of crisis arise, the flat rate insulates the rich from tax increases since any increase in the flat rate hits everyone (including the worst-off).
Since the flat-rate shit is literally written into the state constitution (and thus requires an amendment to change), it has been difficult to try to raise the money to cover the budget deficits created by the crisis that financiers and speculators brought upon us.
Still, the funds exist in IL to ensure that no schools are closed, that transit is comprehensive, and that nobody goes without medical care. And if the party in power (i.e. the Democrats) actually had any intention of tapping these funds, it would not be difficult to do. Let us not forget that it is also the Democrats (at the state level and federal level) who are cutting services, closing schools, cutting scholarships, and throwing people out on the street. This is occurring all over the country, not just in "red" states.
Watch it fwoan. I came out of that Utah education system ;)
Oh, just a harmless joke! I'm out of the Florida system so it's not as if I have any right to brag.
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