2016 UT Governor's race: on Tax Reform


Mike Weinholtz: Convert 5% flat tax rate to progressive tax & raise $179M

A balanced budget is important for the good of the state and, as a successful business owner, I know how devastating high tax rates can be for business and families. However, cutting taxes year after year has had a disastrous effect on our schools, roads, public works, and social services. In 2007, Utah moved from a progressive tax to a 5% flat tax, costing us $479 million each year. Without an educated workforce, safe roads, efficient water systems, and safe communities, businesses will not want to set up shop in Utah--and that is not a Utah I want to live in.

As governor, I propose an income tax increase for the top 1.5% of all Utahns (including myself): a 1% increase for those households earning between $250,000 and $1 million a year and 2% for those earning over $1 million. This small change will bring nearly $179 million to our schools.

Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com Jun 17, 2016

Jonathan Johnson: I will not raise taxes as governor

I oppose new taxes and, as governor, I will not raise taxes. Last year, I voted against Prop 1 in Salt Lake County. Utahns deserve a break from ever increasing taxes. I will actively look to shrink government, not expand it. I will look for ways to reduce taxes, including corporate income tax and income taxes on military and social security benefits.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website HireJJ.com Feb 2, 2016

  • The above quotations are from 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform.
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Candidates and political leaders on Tax Reform:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018