[Vision2020] Sine Die

[Tom Trail]

The Idaho Legislature finally finished up their long session this evening.  The
third longest session in history.

The property tax relief bill passed yesterday by the House which would have
taken off 1 and 1/2 mil for school district M & O was defeated by the Senate
by a 24-11 vote.  One of the problems of the bill was that not specific source
of replacement funding was mentioned.   If the bill passed then JFAC would have
been asked to come up with the money.   A citizens advisory vote on 
the November
ballot was also defeated.

Fortunately, HB421 The homeowners exemption passed.  Expanding the homeowners'
exemption to $75,000 effectively reduces property taxes for 
homeowners acorss a broad range of incomes.  According to the Idaho 
State Tax Commission, homeowners will received over $47 million in 
tax relief.  Indexing to the House Price Index (HPI) is much 
preferred because the HPI more accurately tracks year to year
inflation in house prices.

The Governor also signed into law HB778 which provides proportionality in
assessing property taxes regarding non-profit educational institutions.

The Governor's Connecting Idaho--$200 million GARVEY Bond Initiative passed.
This will provide major funding for Highway 95 area from Worley to Setters
and Garwood to Sagle.

A stipulation agreement between the State of Idaho and Idaho was reached which
will allow the State of Idaho to utilize some water from the Snake River to
recharge the Snake River Aquifer.

Rep. Tom Trail
-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail at moscow.com