I hope you have enjoyed summer–I’m not quite ready for it to end. This email has some time sensitive information for seniors about property tax relief, a horrifying statistic about Utah’s senior malnutrition death rate, a bit about the “emergency special session” called by the legislature last week, and some updates on interim. No better way to spend an August afternoon, right?

 

Senior Malnutrition Death Rate in Utah

I came across this data that shows Utah’s death rate from malnutrition for seniors is double the national average and the highest in the nation. 

Two providers who oversee food programs for seniors here in Utah County, including Meals on Wheels, verified that these programs have long wait lists of seniors who need meals because there is not enough funding or resources available to help. 

This is appalling. Utah is doing so well in several publicized areas, but there are many critical issues below the surface that we need to address. This is one of them. I am setting up meetings with other legislators and the Department of Health and Human Services to work on this heartbreaking issue.

Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Other Qualifying Utahns 

Utah code provides property tax relief to qualifying senior citizens and others who have income below statutorily mandated levels. Utah County administers the program for homeowners, and the State administers the program for renters.

Unfortunately, many members of our community who would qualify for this program are not aware of it, aren’t sure how to apply, or are not comfortable using computers. Please share this information with any seniors you think would benefit from this tax relief and let them know help is available.

Homeowners

The deadline to apply is September 1st to include exemption on October Property Tax Notice and avoid unnecessary refunds or penalties.Requirements:

• Applicants must be 66 years of age or older on or before December 31 or a widow/widower of any age.
• The total annual household income may not exceed $40,840 for 2024.

Click HERE to apply and to see who else qualifies.

Renters

This application is not due until Dec. 31st of each year; however, there are more requirements for renters, which include but are not limited to:

• The applicant must be 66 years of age as of December 31st of the year for which they are applying. A widow or widower of any age may qualify.
• An application must be completed and signed each year, using one of the following two methods:
  • Complete the online application using Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). Note: using this electronic method may significantly speed your refund.
  • Complete, sign, and submit a current Form TC-90CB, Renter Refund Application.
• The annual household income cannot exceed the amount specified by the legislature. Note: this amount changes each year.

To see additional eligibility requirements, click HERE.

Taxpayer Access Point is the quickest submission method. However, you can mail your application to:

Utah State Tax Commission
210 N 1950 W
Salt Lake City UT 84134
Fax number 801-297-7574

Or submit in person to a Utah State Tax Commission Office. There is one in Provo:

Provo Office
Utah State Tax Commission
150 E Center #1300
Provo UT 84606

Special Session

A bit of background: In 2018, a ballot initiative passed that set up an independent redistricting commission to draw new district maps for state and federal elected offices. (New maps are required every ten years.) The legislature then passed a law that allowed us to ignore the initiative. Several Utah groups that had worked hard to get the initiative passed then sued Utah, and a few weeks ago, the Utah Supreme Court issued a ruling on the lawsuit. The ruling was very narrow and didn’t deal with the redistricting issue; the Court only looked at the constitutionality of whether the legislature has the right to amend, repeal, or change a democracy reform citizen initiative.

The Supreme Court held that the Legislature cannot substantively amend or repeal a citizen initiative that reforms government–which most initiatives do not do, but this one did. However, the legislature still may substantially amend or repeal a government reform initiative if they can show that the amendment is narrowly tailored to advance a compelling government interest.

Legislative leadership called us into an emergency special session to pass legislation to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. If passed by the majority of voters, it would change the Utah Constitution to give the legislature the power to repeal or amend any citizen initiative with impunity. I voted against this bill because I believe the Utah Constitution when it says, 

“All political power is inherent in the people; and all free governments are founded on their authority for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform their government as the public welfare may require.”

I have heard a LOT of fearmongering and catastrophizing about what this ruling will do to Utah, but what I am hearing simply isn’t true. While I do not want big money from outside interests influencing the lives of Utahns, the Supreme Court ruling was very narrow. The legislature still has the authority and power to amend and change citizen initiatives; however, if the initiative reforms or alters government, the legislature has to show the state has a compelling interest to make amendments. This is a healthy check on our power.

If you have any questions about this, please ask. I have a lot more to say, but this is already getting too long. But I will say one more thing. 🙂 We passed another bill in the special session that had some good stuff in it, like banning foreign interference in the initiative process and adding extra time to gather signatures for a referendum. However, the legislature has made the enactment of this bill contingent on the constitutional change passing. These things are the carrot to entice voters to vote yes, but they are things that can be passed in a regular way with a regular bill. It frustrates me that the legislature uses bribes to try and get unpopular things passed.

Interim

Interim meetings were held last week up at the Capitol. Because this email is already so long, I will stop the commentary and give you some links to peruse if you would like.  

Here is the link for the August 2024 OLRGC Interim Highlights newsletter: August Interim Highlights. This newsletter provides access links for the table of contents, reports, presentations, legislation, 2024 Fourth Special Session bill summaries, and other information.

Current and prior editions of Interim Highlights may be found at https://le.utah.gov/lrgc/interimHighlights.jsp.

My term of service ends in a few months, and I want you to know that I have loved being your representative for the last six years. I look forward to contributing to our community in other ways.

Have a great day!!