Tax cuts, teacher salary raise among budget recommendations by Cox

SALT LAKE CITY — Significant tax cuts and a salary increase for every teacher in the state are among the recommendations by Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to be included in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

The announcements of $1 billion in tax cuts and a $6,000 salary compensation increase for all teachers were made Thursday at Centennial Jr. High in Kaysville. Additionally, it comes one day before Cox and Henderson release their full fiscal year 2024 budget recommendations.

In regard to the potential tax cuts, specific proposals include, among other things, a property tax reduction and expanding the Social Security tax phase-out. A one-time income tax rebate is also among the recommended proposals by Cox. 

“Utah’s strength is in its people,” Cox said in a news release. “Returning hard-earned dollars to Utahns who are struggling from the impacts of inflation is the right thing to do. And will support the families who need it most.”

The news release states, “These ongoing and one-time income tax and property tax recommendations, together with cuts made over the past two years, total more than $1.3 billion in tax relief for Utahns. This amounts to the largest tax cuts by a single administration in state history.”

UEA happy with teacher salary in budget recommendations

Shortly after the salary increase for teachers was announced by Cox, the Utah Education Association issued a statement applauding the decision.

The statement reads in part:

“The Utah Education Association applauds Utah Governor Spencer Cox for making teacher salaries a top priority in his proposed budget. We also appreciate the significant ongoing investments in public education made by the governor and the Utah State Legislature in previous years, including during the height of the pandemic.”

The salary compensation also includes benefits for all teachers. The governor is also recommending additional one-time funding. So, the salary increase takes place at the start of the fiscal year.

“Teachers make a tremendous difference in our lives and we need Utah’s best and brightest to become teachers,” Cox said in a news release. “Getting and keeping high-quality, qualified educators in classrooms will do wonders for our K-12 students. And this pay increase will help us do that.”

The full fiscal year budget recommendations will be released Friday during a press conference. The recommendations will be posted here, following the press conference. 

Read more:

• Utah legislature starts its work with base budgets
• Utah lawmakers pass social services base budget of $8 billion

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