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| published Saturday, March 01, 2008 |
3087 Views
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On Thursday, if you
walked by the House Revenue & Taxation Committee you would have
seen a pack of legislators fawning over their latest corporate friend:
a French corporation called Areva, Inc. A majority of lawmakers on the
committee said a giddy “Oui! Oui!” to two bills that give away a big
chunk of Idaho’s tax base to entice the company to build a facility in
Idaho.
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| published Wednesday, January 30, 2008 |
1729 Views
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Rep. Nicole LeFavour pointed out in
her blog that on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Idaho legislature
made history by printing a bill to reduce discrimination based on
sexual orientation and gender identity. Sen. Curtis McKenzie, however, told his home town paper he wants a
majority of his committee to commit to vote for the Human Rights bill
(SB 1323) BEFORE he will schedule a hearing!
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| published Wednesday, August 15, 2007 |
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With the total cost of the Iraq war and occupation now approaching half a trillion dollars ($456 billion and counting), Idaho taxpayers’ share of that cost is now more than $1.2 billion and rising. This report reveals what the $1.2 billion in our state could provide for families and communities if that money were invested instead in priorities in Idaho that have long been neglected.
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Idaho's Structural Deficit | |
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| published Friday, March 30, 2007 |
31899 Views
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| published Wednesday, February 14, 2007 |
38814 Views
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On
February 2, the legislature held its first ever public hearing on a
bill to address the growing influence of big money in elections and a
bill to require disclosure of financial interests by legislators. After
hearing no testimony in opposition, however, the Senate State Affairs
Commitee rejected the bills. Even though
they have been adopted in other states, a majority of Idaho's lawmakers
apparently believe Idahoans do not want this kind of openness &
accountability in their election and legislative process.
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| published Wednesday, February 14, 2007 |
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On February 6th, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee passed HB81 which would raise the grocery tax credit to $50 for non-seniors and to $70 for senior citizens. It is also refundable meaning that people who do not make enough money to file an income tax return can get the credit. It has a price tag of $48 million--which means it may take money from other essential priorities like public schools and Medicaid. We preferred the more targeted approach in Governor Otter's proposal, HB80 because it is fair and does not threaten funding for essential public assets such as our investment in public education, health care and the environment. It is not perfect and can be improved.
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Who Pays If the Property Tax M&O Levy Is Repealed and the Sales Tax Rate Increased? | |
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| published Thursday, July 27, 2006 |
33967 Views
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On August 25, a special session of the Idaho Legislature will consider Governor Risch's proposal to repeal the 3 mil maintenance and operations property tax levy for Idaho's public schools and increase the sales tax rate one cent. For most Idaho families, the Risch proposal will result in a net tax increase.
Download the press release in pdf here: PropTaxes_3mils1cent_7-25-06PR.pdf
Download the report (2 pp.) in pdf here: PropTaxes_3mils1cent_7-25-06brief.pdf
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General Fund Expenditures for Public Education in Idaho Show Continuing Decline | |
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| published Tuesday, July 25, 2006 |
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As Idaho considers shifting school maintenance and operations from the property tax to the state General Fund, it's important to know just how committed the state is to funding public education adequately. Various indicators show state support for K-12 education has been eroding.
Download the press release in pdf here: IdahoEdFunding7-24-06pr.pdf
Download the report (5pp.) in pdf here: IdahoEdFunding7-24-06report.pdf
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| published Wednesday, June 21, 2006 |
27940 Views
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While Californians were passing the draconian property tax initiative, Prop 13, in the late 1970’s, Idahoans were having their own property tax revolt. After initial right wing efforts to implement a Prop 13 style initiative failed in 1979 and 80, progressive community activists led by Al Fothergill and Ken Robison of the Idaho Citizen’s Coalition gathered the signatures and ran a campaign that resulted in the passage of the 50-50 Homeowners exemption in 1982, which exempted 50% or $50,000 of the value of homes from the property tax. The initiative was fought vigorously by business interests in the state because it targeted relief to homeowners and demanded that industry pay its fair share. Not since 1982 has there been a major change in the property tax to the benefit of homeowners. This year marks the next time.
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| published Wednesday, April 12, 2006 |
26500 Views
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The Homeowners' Exemption passed the Legislature! An explanation of the importance and impact of the bill, HB 421.
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