Tax reform is high on the list of priorities for the Utah Legislature and Gov. Gary Herbert.

To meet the challenge of tax reform the Legislature created the Tax Restructuring and Equalization task force to come up with a tax plan that Utahns would support.

Lack of public support is the reason why the Legislature scrapped a tax reform bill during the closing days of the 2019 Legislative session.

The proposed law would have placed sales taxes on services such as haircuts, piano lessons, and lawn services, which were previously not taxed.

The task force has scheduled a series of town hall meetings.

Rep. Patrice Arent, a member of the Utah House of Representatives, says the town halls are designed to let task force “get input from the public and to talk about, ‘Do we need to change our tax system, and if so, how?'”

“Public input is critical,” Rep. Arent emphasized.

Rep. Arent made these comments on “A Woman’s View with Amanda Dickson.”

The first town hall is scheduled in Brigham City on June 25.

House Majority Whip Mike Schultz has told a House GOP caucus that the task force will consider new plans on how to deal with a shrinking sales tax base. Utah consumers are reportedly spending more on services and less on goods.

There is a PDF by the Tax Restructuring and Equalization task force that explains the factors behind Utah’s interest in tax reform. The PDF can be seen or downloaded by clicking here.

Town hall meeting schedule

June 25: Brigham City, Utah State University Brigham Campus, multi­purpose room, 989 S. Main

Open house – 6 p.m. Town hall meeting – 7 p.m.

June 27: Kearns, Chamber West Element Event Center, 5658 S. Cougar Lane (4800 West)

Open house – 6 p.m. Town hall meeting – 7 p.m.

June 28: Richfield, Sevier County Fairgrounds, exhibit hall, 410 E. 200 South

Open house – 5 p.m. Town hall meeting – 6 p.m.

June 29: St. George, Dixie Tech, auditorium and lobby, 610 S. Tech Ridge Drive

Open house – 1 p.m. Town hall meeting – 2 p.m.

July 8: Kaysville, Davis Tech, Business Resource Center, main conference room, 450 S. Simmons Way

Open house – 6 p.m. Town hall meeting – 7 p.m.

July 9: Roosevelt, Crossroads Senior Center, 50 E. 200 South

Open house – 6 p.m. Town hall meeting – 7 p.m.

July 20: Moab, Grand Center, 182 N. 500 West

Open house – 1 p.m. Town hall meeting – 2 p.m.

July 30: Lehi, Silicon Slopes/UTC, 2600 Executive Parkway, Suite 140

Open house – 6 p.m. Town hall meeting – 7 p.m.

The whole conversation with Rep. Arent can be heard in the link below.