Today's Focus Website: Family Connection Center

Please take just a quick look at the Family Connection Center, operated in Davis County by the United Way.

They offer, among other things, a Crisis-Respite Nursery for stressed-out parents, and counseling. They also engage in a Sub for Santa, Homeless Services, and Emergency Services among other things.

If you don't intend on utilizing the services, you may make a donation.

Strengthen The Family

At the Citizen Lobbyist Training last night I met a representative of Citizens for Families. This group is based out of Davis County, Bountiful specifically. You might have recognized them as having actively pursued the enforcement of liquor license restrictions in Bountiful (i.e. El Matador on Main Street). You may also have noticed suggestive magazines that are covered in grocery stores.

There is probably a synergy that could be created between this blog and Strengthen The Family. Frankly, I have not pursued the same moral issues here on this blog that this group has, but I endorse their efforts in that regard. I don't seek any endorsement from them, but I'll certainly help them where I can.

Strengthen The Family

Natgo:Congratulations Are In Order!

As you can see, the blog is pink. This means that Tyler has turned the blog over to the two of us so he can celebrate the birth of their new baby with his wife Erin. Congratulations Farrer Family!!! I hope all is well with Erin and the baby (and with Tyler and Morgan, too). Al and I will try to keep the ship afloat in his absence. We're lucky - we'll get to post on the primary election and bond election results, and we'll probably take some time on our respective soap-boxes. If the Tribune doesn't publish my most recent letter to the editor, you might even get that here, too. I hope you'll stick it out and that Davis County Watch will remain the fun debate it's always been.

Also, the evil part of me hopes they didn't have time to vote, but I promise, I'm repenting right now.

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:Institute urges cities to map out family roles

This time Paul Mero might be laying it on a little thick.

While I agree with the premise of his document (that government should foster the growth of the natural family). The document was written in a way that could cause offense where it didn't have to.

Mayor Briggs said it best, ''People might read that [resolution] and say, 'Kay Briggs thinks all women should stay home and make strawberry jam' or that I'm totally against people raising a family in whatever situation gives them the most comfort and solace,'' he said. ''I didn't read that into it, and I'm not opposed to discussing it.''

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah: Institute urges cities to map out family roles

The Sutherland Institute

The Sutherland Institute has made some cosmetic changes and substantive additions to their website-for the better. One of their policy statements revolve around the core function of government.

"A careful audit should be made of each and every state function. If work performed is also being done, or if at a point in time it has been handled by the private sector (businesses, service clubs, charities, etc.), then the state should return this work to the private sector. Many examples abound as testaments to government out of bounds. One such example is when local governments build massive, publicly subsidized recreation centers that compete with the private fitness industry? Why? "

The role of government in attracting business is also discussed.

"Our state government’s role in helping to attract new business to Utah should be limited to its core function of tax and regulatory policy. Specifically, it should work to reduce both taxes and regulations on business."

They say the following on Rainy Day Funds.

"Despite pledges to control spending, government officials seem unable to do so. When revenue exceeds budgetary requirements, then, there is often a call to use that excess revenue to support future spending (by creating a “rainy day” fund). While a “rainy day” fund of state revenues sounds like a tempting option, mirroring as it does the commendable practice of savings practiced by individuals and families, it is not appropriate. The key principle is the fact that state revenues are (unlike family or personal earnings) public monies. They are meant to be used for public business and, if they are not being used for this purpose, ought legitimately to be returned to taxpayers."

For a complete list of topics of concern to the Sutherland Institute.

The Sutherland Institute-Persuasion at Work

SLJPP: Testimony on Tax Reform.

The Sutherland Institute president, Paul T. Mero, has testified before the Tax commission and proposed that any tax reform we have should have the family as it's core value. He proposed that there are five things that can be seen as the center point on which any public policy is built.

"Every public policy has a center point, or core, toward which a policy’s application is
directed by certain underlying assumptions. Historically, competition for this center or core
has been among five institutions: the individual, the family, the corporation, the church,
and the state…These [five] center points are at the heart of all public policies."

Mero says Governor Walkers 'balanced system' is centered in the State. Without saying so explicitly he alluded that Governor Huntsman has chosen to place the corporation at the center. Libertarians will place the individual at the center.

He goes on to say that, by placing the family at the center, all of these other values are benefited. Public policy has a tendency to focus on dysfunction in families, rather than what works. It can suffer from a myopic view that misses the broad scope and the long picture. A public policy centered on families should place it's focus on rewarding the ideal family, not the imperfect family. He suggests that taxes should be taken from income, and moved to tax consumption. Exceptions for food could be made so that a family is not made to go hungry.

He also suggests that we move education funding to sales tax.

"By linking the state income tax to public schools, as we have for nearly sixty years, we have created ugly
and unfortunate policy trade-offs. I believe this well-intended, but short-sighted, legacy has done more
than any other single policy to antiquate our tax code. Moreover, we are forced to choose between
education funding and any incentives that require an income tax credit, deduction, or exemption. It is
unnecessary and avoidable."

SJLPP
Tax reform(PDF)