Subject: Weber Sentinel question on RAMP Tax.
Issue: Taxes
Date: October 1, 2004
Author: Roger I. Price

Questioned by jeff christensen of the weber sentinel, ogden, utah, on the ramp tax issue, i responded:

My view of the RAMP tax is:

The people of Weber County need: Sufficient food, sufficient clothing, adequate comfortable shelter, and adequate opportunity to improve their own personal and family conditions. There are 200,000 plus residents in the county and for many those needs are not met. Opportunity in this "Land of Opportunity" is becoming a myth! When the basic needs of all people are taken care of, then will be the time to fund, with tax money, recreation, the arts and music, and parks.

The tax burden in Weber County is too heavy and much of the revenue funds the special interests of a few, not the many. If there is not a special need (i.e. physical or mental challenges), or if a program fails to benefit the majority of the population, it should not be funded until, through providing opportunity, the basic needs are met.

Needs versus wants is the same as public versus private. The Eccles foundation and others do wonderful work with the arts, the growth of ballet in Ogden is proof of that. Private funds should be used for all RAMP "wants". I will vote NO on RAMP.

Roger I. Price, candidate for Weber County Commission