[Vision2020] End of Session (Sine Die)

[ttrail at moscow.com]

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 was defeated by
the Senate by a 24-11 vote (the bill would have taken off 1 and 1/2 mil for
school district M & O).  One of the shortcomings of the bill was that no
specific source of replacement funding was mentioned.   If the bill had
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 across a broad range of incomes.  According to the Idaho State
Tax Commission, homeowners will receive 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 Power 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  


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