“It’s raining,” said Tom Love, the chair of the group’s Board of Directors at a Capitol Hill meeting.  “United Way of Salt Lake agrees with the majority of Utahns who believe that increasing revenue, in addition to making some cuts, is the way to deal with the 2011 deficit.”   

This would include increasing the tobacco tax, he said, a position United Way backs even in light of a possible gubernatorial veto.  

“We recognize there are efficiencies that can be achieved in some programs,” he added, “but in general, we believe the $1 billion already cut from education and from other key state functions means that we should rely primarily on new revenue to balance next year’s budget.  

“That is why United Way supports the use of a combination of new user fees and rainy day funds,” he said, “because it is raining now.”  

Love spoke at a press conference convened by United Way to reinforce its positions regarding how the state budget should be balanced in these tough economic times.  In addition to Love, the speakers included Bruce Reese, President and CEO, Bonneville International Corp., John Milliken, President, Milcom, Inc., community advocate Paula Green Johnson and Deborah Bayle, United Way of Salt Lake’s President and CEO.  

Beyond the state budget shortfalls, the topics covered included issues related to education, income, health, immigrant and refugee integration and safety net services for people in crisis.  

Reese highlighted Utah’s efforts at health-care reform and United Way’s support of efforts being led by Speaker of the House Dave Clark to ensure the state’s plans are successful, including moves to make the Utah Health Exchange successful.  

“The Speaker’s bill will ensure the Exchange is viable in Utah, so that both small and large businesses can make the move to a defined contribution system,” he said.