Regarding the state of Utah vs. federal retirees, some points must be made.
When the state exempted state retirees' pensions from state income tax, the state discriminated against every other retiree in Utah.When the same issue was raised in other states and courts began ruling in favor of federal retirees, Utah decided to tax state retirees' pensions. This in itself was good, but in the same move, they raised state retirees' pensions to offset the loss.
Thus, in a superficial move to place state retirees in the same and equal situation as other retirees, the state insulted and simply continued its prejudice toward federal and other retirees.
When federal retirees took the state to court, the state could have done the moral thing and paid federal retirees what was rightfully theirs. Instead, the state opted to fight a no-win battle, thus costing taxpayers even more money.
Now that they've lost, the state continues to look for loopholes in the system to cheat federal retirees, while state retirees reap the benefits of a raise designed to cushion their retired income against state income tax.
Finally, this isn't just an issue that concerns federal retirees. Every retiree who isn't drawing a Utah state pension has been discriminated against by the state.
While I'll concede that Gov. Mike Leavitt inherited a bucket of worms, both he and the Legislature are only costing taxpayers more by dragging the issue out.
Chan E. McInelly
Farmington