Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Todd Taylor is "Just Wondering?" about the true intent for tomorrow's special session

By Todd Taylor
Executive Director, Utah State Democratic Committee

Just Wondering?

On a day that is supposed to be mostly ceremonial with the visit of President Fox, the legislature called into special session is scheduled to take up 14 bills.

The governor is to be congratulated for putting a humanitarian item on the call by providing for a minimal appropriation for emergency dental and vision for the poor. Too bad that given the $70 million they didn't spend on income tax relief, they won't do the right thing and fund it properly.

I wonder though whether this humanitarian move isn't just cover for item 8 on the call -- a pay raise for the executive branch: governor, lt. governor, attorney general, auditor, treasurer and others? Or is the whole thing to cover changing the definitions on removing the sales tax from food items? Or is it to cover that by giving confidential tax information to three other offices outside the State Tax Commission, voters won't know who to hold responsible for leaking data?

Sadly, we can't count on the MSM to tell us until its too late for the voters to have their say in these matters. They'll be focused on President Fox, immigration, and maybe helping the poor (or the bill increasing the parking at the State Capitol).

4 comments:

The Senate Site said...

"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin."

- Henry Louis Mencken

Anonymous said...

There they go again, attacking any opinion other than their own.

Flowers? A idiot is a man who smells crap and looks for a vase.

The Senate Site said...

Apologies, anonymous. Didn't mean to come across that way.

Todd's questions are appropriate - they add some perspective and depth (and demonstrate that government continues to be scrutinized - which is healthy).

I just thought the Mecken quote was apt as well.

Anonymous said...

FWIW, I was flattered by the Mencken quote. My father would be proud of the sentiment expressed. I think it’s a Taylor family trait.