The Magna Times from Magna, Utah • 2

2 The Magna Times, Thursday, January 16, 1992 Editorial Opinion Utah finances bright despite the times posed one timesupplementals. The governor has proposed that $46.3 million in supplemental funds be spent in fiscal year 1991-92 and that $35.9 million be spent in fiscal year 1992-93. Utah Foundation believes there is some need for caution when the legislature deals with the budget. The governors budget proposals contemplate an average increase in jobs of 3 percent and a 7.2 percent increase in total personal income for 1992. This projected level of economic growth for 1992 assumes the Utah economy will strengthen somewhat from its current rate of growth.

If the national economy does not improve, Utahs economy may not realize the assumed level of growth underlying the governors proposals. ed was $3,811, 468,900. This amounts to a 2.8 percent increase ($103.8 million) over the total 1991-92 fiscal year authorized budget. A total state government spending increase of 2.8 percent would be the smallest increase in 5 years. The proposed budget will fund a salary increase of 3 percent for state employees.

The governor would like this increase to be based on merit and not given across-the board to all workers. Revenue forecasts indicate that there will likely be $65 million in surplus funds for the combined 1990-92 fiscal years. The governor indicates, when these funds are combined with matching federal funds and other revenues there will be a total of $82.1 million available for pro Even though the national economy continues to struggle, Utah state finances remain reasonably bright. At least that is the opinion of Utah Foundation, the nonprofit tax research organization, in its analysis of budget prospects for fiscal year 1992-93. The foundation report points out that the state has concluded each fiscal year since 1987-88 with a budget surplus.

The surplus for fiscal year 1990-91, was just over $34 million or about one percent of the $3.44 billion on total expenditures for that year. Last month, Governor Bangerter submitted a state operating budget of $3,407,527,100 for the 1992-93 fiscal year. This represents an increase of $159.8 million, or 4.9 percent over the amount authorized for the current (1991-92 fiscal year. This 4.9 percent increase in the proposed operations budget would be the smallest increase in 4 years and reflects the impact of the national recession on the Utah economy. Utah foundation analysts point out that job growth over the previous 12 months in the state was 4.8 percent in August 1990 and has steadily slowed to about 2.5 percent by the end of 1991.

The operations budget funds sixteen major state programs. However, of these 16, four receive almost 80 percent of budgeted funds. These four programs are public education ($1,348.8 million), health ($501.2 million), higher education ($467.9 million) and human services ($390.8 million). In other words, though state government administers many programs, 80 percent of operating funds go to pay for educating Utahns and providing for their health and welfare. In addition to the regular operating budget, the governor also recommended $341.5 million for capital outlay, $60.9 mJ Won for debt service, and $1.5 million for other programs.

Thus, the total budget propos- Parents want positivity on school scheduling We realize that there are differing opinions concerning year round school at Brockbank Junior High. As a local housing committee, we studied the options presented to us by the Granite School District and others that were suggested, as have other housing coommittees along the Wasatch Front. Surveys determined that year round school was the least objectionable alternative, until such time as a new junior high school could be built to relieve overcrowding on the entire west side of Granite School District. We are sure that as parents of students at Brockbank Junior High School, our number one concern is the same as yours and that is, for a quality education for our children. Again, the recommendation of this housing committee was and is for a new juior high school to be built.

And until that becomes a reality through dignified lobbying, we are concerned that further negativism will detract from our students ability to secure the education we desire for them. In order for secondary year round school to be an effective means of education, we need positive parental involvement and support within the school. We encourage Magna residents to join together as a community, as we have in the past, to present a positive attitude that will promote learning and the educational growth of our students. Brockbank Junior High School Housing Committee Susan Barnes Committee Chairman Dlorah Henson; Trish HulT Delone Hayes Stephanie Rask Tawnya Johnson Delores Freestone Debbie Price by Albert D. Hattis In mid-October 1991, House Speaker lorn oiey ana Senate Majority trader George Mitchell said Congress couldnt enact any programs to solve our economic problems by creating jobs in the txk months then remaining in 1991.

it didnt have enough time! It didnt take lots of talk to jack up their congressional salaries to $125,100. Just a few minutes one evening. That shows what Congress can do if it doesnt drown in talk. er Foley nor Mitchell has done anything but talk, and that wont solve ou coumic problems that can only be cured with more jobs. The quick solution to our problems requires a pump priming program of (1) massive increases in government spending for infrastructure, like the highway program the president recommended in early 1991 (2) new factories and equipment; and (3) expanded research and development.

The new factories and equipment and can be funded with tax credits and government assistance that will be paid out of the big boost in tax revenues that accompanies recovery and prosperity. We cant afford recessions they are too expensive! The presidents highway program would have had a big impact on jobs. Each program dollar would have been the equivalent of $5-10ras the bucks were spent in stores that pay money to employees, vendors, landlords, utilities, advertising media, plus increased tax revenues for federal and other governments based on improved profits. There is much we need to do to be competitive. Improved highways and bridges will speed up deliveries.

New factories and better equipment will increase productivity and reduce costs. Expanded research and development will provide products and services for tomorrow. This converts into more jobs now and in the future. These projects can move forward now, not in months or years. They will translate into more jobs, income, confidence, and spending.

We cant afford these experienced politicians who talk lots and accomplish little, while our people suffer. They bounce checks, eat well without paying their bills, and enjoy their big staffs and perks. They take care of number one, themselves, and then get around, after months of endless and repetitive talk, to taking care of their constituents. Thats why you find an increase in people favoring term limits. The experienced congress people crawl instead of run to produce results needed in an emergency.

What should have been done in hours or days isnt do-able in months. Even caterpillars and turtles move more quickly than our Congress. The hot air talk slows everything down. President Dwight Eisenhower, Ike to everyone, understood the need to invest in infrastructure, like the interstate highway system. He had architects and engineers design projects during prosperity that could be contracted out in anticipation of an economic downturn.

One of my firms got such a contract, for a large new federal office building in Washington, D.C. We studied departmental needs and produced an approved set of plans and specifications. The project was filed away until the next recession. Then, with construction down, the documents were distributed to bidding contractors. When the bids came in, the prices were good and Ikes idea seemed to make sense.

The work would be underway early in the recession. It could create jobs and income. The building would be a bargain. The agencies to use the building were given a final chance to review the project. They took forever to submit changes they wanted.

The plans and specs were modified and sent back to the agencies for final approval. By the time everything had cleared, the recession was over. The adjusted contracts were let at the beginning of an upturn when pricing was high. The idea had been good. It was undermined by slow government action.

Congress can move on this infrastructure and productivity improvement program. It can be legislated in days if these "experienced congresspeople work without speeches and politicking. Maybe that experience creates bad habits and delays! The pump needs to be primed quickly to get the people back to work. We dont need thousands of additional pages of the Congressional record, transcribing congressional hot air and hokum. Thats Straight Talk! Guerrilla advertising by Dennis Hinkamp Consumer Information Writer, Utah State University The American EXCESS card; Absolute Nonsense; and I buy therefore I am are all slogans for guerrilla ads or subvertisements ads that look like their real counterparts, but are really an anti-advertising campaign.

Most people complain about television and advertising, but only a few people are doing something about it. The previously mentioned advertising parodies are going to start popping up in several top selling magazines. Some examples of militant reactions to advertising: Reverend Michael Pfleger, a Chicago pastor, was thrown in jail three times for organizing a group that defaced 1,000 cigarette and alcohol billboards last year. His justification was that the billboards were targeting minorities in his neighborhood. There were 50 billboards for tobacco and alcohol products in his black neighborhood compared to only one such billboard in an adjacent white neighborhood.

There are groups called the Wheatpaste Gang, Artfux, and Billboard Liberation Front that have been arrested for defacing billboards across the country. Their tactics have been coined culture jamming or artistic terrorism. A more organized, legal attempt to subvert advertising and television in general is presented by The Media Foundation. They publish a quarterly called Adjusters and produce guerrilla ads and buy television air time to run them. The Media Foundation also has several other guerrilla television commercials available to people who want to buy commercial time in their local markets.

They include several variations of Join the campaign to stop television addition featuring adults and children. Another is entitled You are what you watch. One with an environmental message runs the tag line of A tree farm is not a forest, aimed at saving the remaining old-growth forests in North America. For more information on The Media Foundation, write 1243 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6H 1B7. Interest rates drop on VA home loans The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reducing its maximum home loan interest rate from 8.5 percent to 8 percent, effective Dec.

20. This is the lowest the VA rate has been in 14 years. In announcing the rate change. VA Secretary Edward J. Derwinski said, The drop in the rate will have lie practical effect of stimulating the economy and boosting the housing industry by allowing more veterans to qualify for home loans.

The decline in the interest rate from 10 percent since November of last year means that the monthly payment on a typical VA loan of $84,500 has decreased by $121.51 from $741.56 to $620.05. MAGNA TIMES USPS 325-580 8980 West 2700 South Magna, Utah 84044 J. HOWARD STAHLE Publisher BONNIE STAHLE Advertising Manager Office Manager NECIA PALMER Editor KENT GOBLE Sports Editor Feature Writer DEANNA JONES Arts Entertainment Editor Typesetter SHARON LINSCHOTEN Staff Writer STACEY T. CASE Staff Writer DALE SIMONS Sports Columnist BEN CLARK Sports Photographer Writer DANA JONES Layout Published each Thursday Subscription $15 per year $18 per year out of state Second class postage paid at Magna, Utah 84044 Help shape Magna write a letter to the editor PERHAPS YOU MY DIAMOND SHOULD RETURN RING TOWN TOPICS.