I thought Republicans were against raising taxes?

The reason citizens are paying such a high tax rate is to give breaks to Corporations to locate in UT. I think it is a decent plan, that is why UT has lower unemployment rate. But there has to be a median. Look at fuel prices, look at food prices, if they didn't raise the price, they cut the amount of item. ENOUGH!

Please explain to us common folks how a proposed food sales tax increase from 1.75% to 4.75% equates to a "doubl[ing]" when even a person educated in public schools can figure out that 4.75 divided by 1.75 is nearly triple (2.7 times) that amount! But I suppose that's only to be expected when a Republican, BYU-educated, Mormon politician/lawyer like Valentine is entrusted to do the math and promote his own taxing agenda. And don't give us that pious, pitiful crap about "the state is hurting in the sales tax department" when Jon Huntsman's final parting shot was to impose a $1 per pack Mormon "sin" tax on cigarettes when he left to be the U. S. Ambassador to China. What are these religious bureaucrats doing with all that windfall revenue, to say nothing of the multi-millions the state rakes in from the sale of alcohol and tourism? What about your OWN poor, "Brother Valentine," who depend on Social Security for their existence while struggling to pay ten percent of their annual gross income to their beloved church so their leaders can live in luxury and opulence, gathering once a week to compare clothing? In what need is the Lord that He should want their money, pray tell? And why do lawyers like Valentine persist in fulfilling the prophecy of Alma 10:27? Because they neither read, nor do they comprehend, their own scriptures, that's why! And how is it that states like Montana impose ZERO sales tax on food? Got that? ZERO! Yet Utah (the alter ego of the LDS Church) receives royalties on oil, gas and mining in amounts that can only be wondered at, but are never mentioned publicly. So like I always say, based on long personal experience: YEP, URINE UTAH for sure, and getting hosed regularly every day -- just as in the days when that old hypocrite Brigham Young owned the largest brewery between the Mississippi and the West Coast. But I guess I shouldn't say that in polite company because you could always look it up for yourself if you wished, plus tax.

Senator John Valentine apparently doesn't see that our nation's economy is in the dumper with pending federal tax increases on the way. People are out of work, losing their homes, and living on fixed incomes. This clown pushes for an increase in taxes on food too? Senator John Valentine needs to voted out of office the next time he's up for re-election. I say to his constituents remember this idea of his.

so they propose giving back in the form of a rebate so much money per person. How is that going to bring more money into State coffers? Just put a limit on how any kids you can get thousands for on your taxes - limit to 3 each family. Tax Pampers and use that money for schools, just 5 cents per sm. pack of Pampers, larger package, 10 or 15 cents. And yes, pepsi, coke, ice cream - come on, a couple cents on soda. These are not necessities and it wouldn't hurt poor or elderly unless they choose to purchase soda and ice cream. Pampers tax would help the educational system. This makes more sense than taxing all food items which do hurt poor and elderly.

Just remember that common sense is raising ANY TAX during a recession onlyhas a stifling effect on recovery.

that sounds about right, raise the food taxes and those of us that are on fixed income or low income can go hungry, or try to get food stamps so we can eat.