October 24, 2005 For Immediate Release

Contact: Andrew Stephenson 972-8814 or 891-1385(cell)

Utah cities and counties spending millions on lobbyists!

Utah’s largest cities and counties are paying over $1 million annually to contract lobbyists which state agencies are prohibited by law from hiring, according to a recent report by the Utah Taxpayers Association. Association Research Analyst Andrew Stephenson said, “ Utah’s 30 largest cities and 5 Wasatch Front area counties already pay more than $1million dollars a year to the League of Cities and Towns and Utah Association of Counties to lobby the state legislature and congress. We don’t see the need for spending an additional $1 million on contract lobbyists.”

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10:30 PM FRIDAY
Thursday, September 29, 2005
RE: 50-State Property Tax Comparison
CONTACT: Mike Jerman, Vice President, 972-8814 or 808-8814 (cell)
Utah Property Tax Burdens Lower Than U.S. Average
Truth-in-Taxation protects property owners without harming local governments.
Utah ’s state and local tax burden is one of the highest in the nation, but Utah’s property [...]

Monday, May 9, 2005
RE: 2005 Taxpayer Advocate of The Year
CONTACT: Mike Jerman, Vice President, 972-8814 or 808-8814 (cell)
Rep. David Clark Receives 2005 Taxpayer Advocate of the Year
The Utah Taxpayers Association has awarded Rep. David Clark (R-Santa Clara) the 2005 Taxpayer Advocate of the Year for his sponsorship of HB213. HB213 reformed the process [...]

Monday, May 9, 2005
RE: 2005 Taxpayer Advocate of The Year
CONTACT: Mike Jerman, Vice President, 972-8814 or 808-8814 (cell)
Supreme Court Decision Violates Civil Rights and Sound Tax Policy
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo et al v. City of NewLondon violates basic American civil rights and allows cities to continue the insidious practice of using [...]