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Tax modernization and revenue restructure town hall meetings begin Tuesday, June 25

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Utah Capitol 29

A series of revenue restructure town hall meetings start Tuesday, June 25 in Brigham City. The town hall meetings are part of a statewide listening tour being conducted by the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force. In the 2019 General Legislative Session, the Utah Legislature created the task force to look for ways to address the state’s outdated tax structure, get public input and suggest solutions.

“Because we’ve always had the foresight to build for tomorrow, our state has always been at the forefront of economic stability,” said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, co-chair of the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force.

“Let’s work together to take the long view and act now to preserve for future generations a quality of life defined by economic prosperity, incomparable recreation, first-rate education, advanced transportation and clean air,” says Rep. Francis Gibson, co-chair of the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force.

The town hall meetings will begin with an open house for attendees to learn about the issue, the task force process and have questions answered. Following the open house, the task force will provide a presentation on the challenges the state budget is facing and the public will have the opportunity to provide input. Additionally, an informational website will be available with an online form for the public to comment and provide feedback throughout the process. Listed below are town hall dates, times and locations:

  1. Tuesday, June 25 – Brigham City, Utah State University Brigham Campus, Multi-purpose room, 989 S Main St. Brigham City, UT 84302
    • Open house – 6:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 7:00 p.m.
  2. Thursday, June 27 – Salt Lake County, Chamber West, Element Event Center, 5658 S. Cougar Lane (4800 W.), Kearns, UT
    • Open house – 6:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 7:00 p.m.
  3. Friday, June 28 – Richfield, Sevier County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, 410 E. 200 S., Richfield, UT
    • Open house – 5:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 6:00 p.m.
  4. Saturday, June 29 – St. George, Dixie Tech, Auditorium & Lobby, 610 S. Tech Ridge Dr., St. George, UT
    • Open house – 1:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 2:00 p.m.
  5. Monday, July 8 – Davis County, Davis Tech, Business Resource Center, Main Conference Room, 450 S. Simmons Way, Kaysville, UT
    • Open house – 6:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 7:00 p.m.
  6. Tuesday, July 9 – Roosevelt, Crossroads Senior Center, 50 E. 200 S., Roosevelt, UT
    • Open house – 6:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 7:00 p.m.
  7. Saturday, July 20 – Moab, Grand Center, 182 N. 500 W., Moab, UT
    • Open house – 1:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 2:00 p.m.
  8. Tuesday, July 30 – Utah County, Silicon Slopes/UTC, 2600 Executive Parkway, Suite 140, Lehi, UT
    • Open house – 6:00 p.m.
    • Town hall meeting – 7:00 p.m.

Currently, Utahns enjoy a high quality of life and the benefits of a strong economy. As a result, the state is experiencing significant growth as businesses and families increasingly recognize Utah as an exceptional place to work, live and play. This growth and the state’s modern economy, however, have outpaced an outdated 1933 revenue structure. This imbalance in state revenue sources, combined with restrictions on revenue use, could affect the quality of life for which Utah has long been known. If the imbalance is not addressed, it will negatively impact important funding priorities such as transportation, water, air quality, public safety, recreation and health care.