Fiscal Issues

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF UTAH - ISSUES

Our View on Fiscal Issues

Income Tax:

We oppose all forms of income taxes. We propose that government collect revenues through fees for services actually rendered. Basic services vital to a free and peaceful society can have their just expenses provided through minimal sales taxes. Government must live within its revenues. All taxes should be subject to popular referendum and include sunset provisions. We propose abolishing the mandatory income tax withholding that was instituted as a war-time measure.

Property Tax:

We do not believe that property owners should pay rent to the government on property they own or are in the process of buying. Municipalities can fund services they provide (e.g., garbage collection) through user fees. We support abolition of all property and use taxes, including those applied to automobiles and equipment used in business.

Mass Transit:

We believe that government-run transit systems are not cost effective and give inadequate service. UTA should be privatized and not subsidized. All Utah communities should lift restrictions on private transportation, such as bans against hailing taxis and on-demand jitney services.

Corporate Welfare:

We oppose government subsidies, tax breaks, etc. for competitive business enterprises. We believe it is a corrupt use of tax dollars to reward businesses at the expense of the taxpayers. Using redevelopment agencies and eminent domain to take homes and businesses to give to other private parties is an abuse of government power.

State Liquor Stores:

Government should not have a retail monopoly on alcohol sales. We oppose advertising restrictions on legal products. We believe that such restrictions are illegal censorship and deny buyers the right to make sound decisions.

Professional Guilds:

Members of the medical, bar and other associations burden the people with excessively high charges for their services for which they have obtained a government-granted monopoly. We believe nurse practitioners, certified paralegals and others should be allowed to provide their services directly to the public to the extent of their training and competence.

Civil Asset Forfeiture:

We oppose civil asset forfeiture laws. We believe it is the responsibility of criminal courts, following due process, to decide if property is to be seized. Allowing seizure of property based on unconfirmed probable cause creates a dangerous temptation and a conflict of interest for law enforcement agencies.

Government Accountability:

We believe that government employees should not be permitted to invoke sovereign immunity to escape accountability for their wrongful acts.

Truth In Bonding:

We believe all requests for long-term debt via bonds, should require that the voters are fully informed of the total debt obligation including interest and all costs of maintaining the proposed project well before the vote.