Cannon plans to eliminate unnecesary taxes

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    By HEATHER BAKER

    Third district congress incumbent Chris Cannon is for “tax reform, keeping the economy strong, and preserving the way of life in Utah,” said Jeff Hartley, his press spokesman.

    Cannon was out campaigning and unavailable for comment.

    Hartley said Cannon wants to eliminate three taxes he feels aren’t necessary.

    The first is the marriage tax. It taxes married people higher if they file jointly rather than separately.

    “It penalizes people for being married and Congressman Cannon thinks that’s wrong,” Hartley said. “This is an issue that really affects students.”

    Hartley said Cannon also thinks the capital gains tax should be eliminated.

    “The capital gains tax discourages people from investing and saving,” Hartley said. “People are taxed on the money they make from stocks and makes them not want to invest.”

    The last unnecessary tax Cannon wants gone is the inheritance tax. Hartley said this tax wasn’t set up well and that it’s “shutting down small businesses in America.” Hartley said the inheritance tax places those who inherit with a tax that is nearly 50 percent of the value of what was inherited.

    “If someone inherited a farm from their grandpa, the inheritance tax would make them pay about half the value of the farm in taxes. If people don’t have that money, they’re made to close down the business or sell the farm.”

    Hartley said what’s sad is that the district residents aren’t very aware of the candidates platforms, and they don’t seem to care.

    To improve voter turn-out, Hartley said Cannon has been running a phone bank for the last few weeks.

    “This is where volunteers will call members in the community to remind them about the election and encourage them to vote.”

    Hartley said Cannon’s campaign staff has also sent reminders through the mail and on the radio. But Hartley still thinks voter turn-out will be low.

    “We’re expecting less than 10 percent of eligible voters, which is sad considering all the people who fought for the right to vote.”

    Hartley said Cannon is the best man for the job primarily because of his experience.

    “He worked in the Department of Interior, was a practicing lawyer and has already served two years in Congress,” he said.

    Hartley also said Cannon represents the overwhelming majority of people in the district.

    Congressman Cannon has lived in Utah most of his life and attended BYU for his undergraduate and graduate degree. Hartley said Cannon practiced law in Utah for four years and served in the Department of Interior in Washington D.C. for four years.

    In 1987 Cannon moved back to Utah to re-open Geneva Steel with his brother Joe.

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