Consultant Judy Weeks Rohner, R-West Valley Metropolis, believes that saving even just a few {dollars} on the grocery retailer checkout line could make an enormous distinction within the lives of all Utahns. Particularly the working center class and people who find themselves on a set revenue. That is why Rohner is supporting a invoice to do away with the state’s 1.75% gross sales tax on meals as an alternative of slicing private and company revenue tax.
Consultant Rohner proposed a invoice to the state legislature earlier this 12 months, sadly the invoice didn’t cross or obtain a listening to. However that does not imply the struggle is over. The truth is, Rohner believes that passing this laws is extra essential than ever, because of the ongoing results of inflation.
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Though the Republican supermajority presently favors the revenue tax lower over repealing the meals tax, Rohner hopes she — and the voters — can change some minds. Listed below are just a few of her causes for supporting the invoice.
Working households profit extra
Between slicing revenue tax and the gross sales tax on meals, Rohner argues that the latter is extra useful to working households. That is as a result of they spend a better portion of their revenue on groceries in comparison with the rich.
Photograph: Leszek Glasner/Shutterstock.com
In response to a survey launched by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, she’s proper. The Bureau reported that working households spend virtually twice their share of annual revenue on meals than these within the highest-income bracket. After housing prices and transportation, meals at house is the best spending class for many households. For the highest-income households, it is fifth.
Folks ought to be capable to afford the requirements
Rohner believes repealing the gross sales tax on meals is the compassionate factor to do as a result of nobody ought to have to fret about placing meals on the desk. A current examine from Cornell College helps her views.
Harry Kaiser, the Gellert Household Professor on the Charles H. Dyson College of Utilized Economics and Administration at Cornell, co-authored the examine, which discovered that even a slight grocery tax hike may harm households.
“A rise of 1% to 4% might sound small, however after a number of journeys to the grocery retailer, the additional prices can create severe burdens for the lowest-income households,” Kaiser mentioned. “We discovered that even the slightest improve in tax price correlated to an elevated probability of meals insecurity. Grocery taxes that rose by only one share level led to a better threat of starvation in households.”
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Backside line: Eliminating the gross sales tax on meals would lower meals insecurity.
Utah is one in every of solely 13 states with a grocery tax
With regards to states that tax on groceries, Utah is within the minority. Solely 12 different states impose a grocery tax. Rohner additionally factors out that the state advantages from rising inflation because it collects extra tax income as costs go up. It is a observe she calls “despicable.”
Curiously, a Dan Jones and Associates ballot discovered {that a} majority of Utahns favor slicing the gross sales tax on meals over different tax cuts. KSLTV.com reported in February of this 12 months that of the 814 Utahns polled, 33% most popular that the legislature cut back the gross sales tax price on meals. 32% favored a diminished revenue tax price for all Utahns, 17% needed to scale back gross sales tax on all items and 15% most popular an revenue tax credit score for meals based mostly on revenue degree. Three p.c mentioned they did not know.
Photograph: LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com
Will the gross sales tax on meals be repealed?
It is a lengthy street for Rohner and her supporters to get their invoice handed — however it’s additionally not her first expertise combating for tax reform.
Rohner led a referendum effort to cease the 2019 Utah Legislature tax reform package deal, which might have created a 3.1% improve on the state gross sales tax on groceries, a 4.85% tax on gasoline and a 7% gross sales tax on companies. After gathering sufficient signatures — in document time — lawmakers finally repealed it.
In a Deseret Information article from earlier this 12 months, Rohner mentioned that this present effort reminds her of that previous struggle.
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“I stored telling individuals,” she mentioned. “It is like that little practice … ‘I believe I can, I believe I can, I believe I can.’ And we did it. And that is what I am telling individuals now. … I do know we are able to.”
In the event that they help repealing Utah’s gross sales tax on meals, Rohner urges individuals to contact their legislators in order that the invoice can achieve traction.
“I do know they hear,” she mentioned. “They did in 2020, and they’re going to in 2022.”
As the ski season has started, many wonder when’s the best time to hit the slopes. Ski season in Utah runs from November to May, though dates vary by resort.
Every skier and snowboarder has their own idea of the perfect day. Let’s figure out when it’s right for you to go.
Over the years, you’ve probably curated your own unique mountain style. With a seven-month season, there are different windows — each offering something different to fit your needs.
Whether you’re an après enthusiast, a powder fanatic or a fair-weather shredder, we’re here to help you figure out the best time to hit Utah’s resorts.
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When the après-loving skier should hit the slopes
While the early months of the ski season — November and December — may offer fewer inches of snow, they still bring high-quality mountain memories and a vibrant ambiance for skiers and snowboarders alike.
That’s especially the case for après-loving punters — which “is a catch-all phrase that marks the shift from leg-burning ski runs to the social activities that follow,” according to Travel and Leisure.
Snow may be unpredictable in the early season, but the hustle and bustle of social skiers fills the lodges.
For a livelier vibe, Timberline Lodge at Powder Mountain offers live music, great food and dancing — perfect for warming up those cold limbs.
We all know skiing works up an appetite. If your stomach growls while riding the lifts at Solitude, head to St. Bernard’s for a tasty après buffet. One thing’s for sure: Whether or not the snow’s arrived, Utah’s ski resorts will never disappoint in a good time.
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When the deep-powder skier will find the best conditions
Peak ski season runs from January through February, according to Canyon Services, since those months offer the best conditions of the year.
“Cold weather and abundant snowfall allow the base to settle, creating well developed bases with deep powder,” the article states.
While champagne powder calls your name, so do the long lines and crowds — January and February are the busiest months. But don’t let that discourage you.
With 15 resorts and hundreds of runs to choose from in Utah, there’s always a place to carve out your own perfect day.
When the fair-weather skier should make their mountainside appearance
Spring skiing runs from March through May. Many fair-weather skiers eagerly await the perfect bluebird day. Bluebird days involve bright sunny skies, calm conditions and often maintain average to above-average snow conditions.
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On average, Snowbird enjoys 22.4 bluebird days between March and May, according to Snow Forecast.
As temperatures rise and layers come off, ski season starts winding down. To keep the stoke alive, Utah resorts host fun events and competitions to distract from the melting snow beneath our skis.
At Alta, skiers don wild costumes for the famous Frank World Classic event where skiers come together to celebrate the season and ski community, according to FreeSkier.
At Solitude, you can cheer on skiers at the Pond Skim Beach Party, according to their website, and relive the season at their Ski DJ parties. Snowbird invites you to rock your ‘80s gear while showing off your tricks in style.
Whether you join in on the festivities or just watch the entertainment, one thing’s certain: You’ll bask in the warmth of the sun, maybe even shedding your coat for the last runs of the season. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Miami Heat (18-17, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (9-26, 14th in the Western Conference)
Salt Lake City; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Utah is looking to end its eight-game home slide with a win against Miami.
The Jazz have gone 2-13 in home games. Utah allows 118.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.9 points per game.
The Heat are 8-10 on the road. Miami is 10-6 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Jazz’s 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.5 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Heat give up. The Jazz average 111.3 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 118.5 the Jazz allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Sexton is averaging 17.9 points and 3.9 assists for the Jazz.
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Terry Rozier is shooting 40.0% and averaging 12.1 points for the Heat.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 4-6, averaging 116.1 points, 48.8 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.0 points per game.
Heat: 5-5, averaging 109.3 points, 42.1 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.7 points.
INJURIES: Jazz: Keyonte George: day to day (heel), John Collins: day to day (personal), Jordan Clarkson: day to day (plantar ), Taylor Hendricks: out for season (fibula), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (illness).
Heat: Dru Smith: out for season (achilles), Josh Richardson: day to day (heel).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Florida State came up short in its pursuit of a top running back transfer.
On Tuesday, Utah State running back transfer Rahsul Faison announced he was committing to South Carolina. Faison chose the Gamecocks over FSU, Alabama, North Carolina, UCLA, and UCF.
The Seminoles hosted Faison for a visit last weekend but he continued to take trips elsewhere. Florida State could very well kick the tires on another transfer during the spring window.
Faison spent two seasons with the Aggies and had a career year in 2024 where he rushed 198 times for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 99 yards. He had five games of 100+ rushing yards, including a season-high 20 carries for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 55-10 victory against Hawaii on November 16. He was named second-team All-Mountain West for his performance last fall.
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During his first season at Utah State, Faison rushed 118 times for 736 yards and five touchdowns. In total, he appeared in 25 games, making 13 starts, and totaled 316 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Faison also caught 33 passes for 151 yards.
The Pennsylvania native signed with Marshall as a two-star prospect in 2019. He ultimately spent that season at the junior college level at Lackawanna College and was with the Thundering Herd in 2020. Faison didn’t appear in a game with either program and elected to go back to the JUCO level with Snow College. He rushed 88 times for 355 yards and six touchdowns prior to transferring to Utah State.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back has at least one season of eligibility remaining due to the new junior college ruling.
READ MORE: Elite FSU Quarterback Commitment Gets First Chance To Meet New OC Gus Malzahn
Florida State has six scholarship running backs eligible to return in 2025; redshirt senior Roydell Williams, redshirt senior Caziah Holmes, redshirt junior Jaylin Lucas, redshirt sophomore Samuel Singleton Jr., sophomore Kam Davis, and redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy.
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The Seminoles signed four-star Ousmane Kromah during the Early Signing Period.
READ MORE: Standout Utah State Running Back Transfer Lists Florida State In Top-Six
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