I have never been able to figure out the state slogan, Life Elevated. Does it refer to blood pressure, property taxes or what? But after learning that the Legislature took a one-day bus trip around Salt Lake Valley for $1,000 a head, I now understand whose lives are being elevated. By the way, the trip included nearly $300 for three individual meals. (Who catered the sack lunches, La Caille?)
Then we find out the Utah Transit Authority top gun takes not one but two free trips to Europe, a group of state legislators flies off to China at taxpayer expense, and the Jordan District Board of Education votes for a quadruple increase in salary. Luckily, its constituents discovered the board also desired a $17,000 per year cash-out option for health insurance benefits, and the board reluctantly backed off from that perk.
It appears that the Utahns who are having their lives elevated are those who have access to public and special-interest monies.
David Nicol
West Jordan