[Vision2020] Idaho's budget - Governor visits Latah County

[Tom Hansen]

I passed this on to Rep. Ringo (aka "The Lady From Six") and it seriously
chaps my EFFING hide!

While Idaho's unemployment rate continues to rise (higher than it's been
in over thirty years), Corporate Idaho (the corporations that were lured
here with property tax exemptions, so as to improve Idaho's job market
with more and more jobs for Idahoans) continues to live in the lap of
property tax-exempt luxury, while . . .

Those low-income and no-income Idaho families are forced to adopt hospital
emergency rooms as their only health care option.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho



> Shirl,  isn't it time to look at the multitudes of exemptions and possibly
> repeal all of them, particularly services (sure, protect funeral services
> if you have to, since some folks appear to feel taxing death rites is
> somehow unbiblical.)
>
> Sue Hovey
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Shirley Ringo
>   To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>   Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:55 AM
>   Subject: [Vision2020] Idaho's budget - Governor visits Latah County
>
>
>   Visionaries:
>   You have read about Idaho's revenue shortfalls.  Governor Otter has
> asked agency directors to tell what cuts they would make in the event of
> a budget holdback.  He has asked them to be clear about how their
> programs would be affected.
>
>   On Wednesday, September 16, I attended a meeting in which the Governor
> discussed issues related to the budget.   The dollar amounts for
> holdbacks of 6% and 3% for each agency were provided.  Governor Otter
> has indicated that he will not consider a tax increase.  He has
> expressed a willingness to recommend using approximately half of
> remaining reserve funds, but significant holdbacks would still be
> necessary.
>
>   Budgets set in the most recent legislative session can be described as
> austere.  It might be noted that leaders in other states are considering
> ideas such as an income tax surcharge on individuals with higher incomes
> to gain revenue to protect vital programs.
>
>   In 2008, the Grocery Tax Credit was increased to $30/person for some,
> $50 for others.  (More for those of age 65 or older.)  These amounts are
> to increase by $10 per year until they reach the amount of $100 per
> person.  The cost of that increase for next year is about $15.5 million
> dollars.  There have been discussions about freezing the buildup of the
> grocery tax credit until state revenues are stronger.  (Governor Otter
> has not said he would support such a move. )
>
>   In 2006, a majority of legislators voted to shift mandatory property tax
> support for public schools to the general funds.  This requires public
> schools to compete with other entities for those monies.  At the time,
> the promise was to "protect education" by raising the sales tax from 5%
> to 6%.  The notion of increasing the grocery tax credit helps those who
> would struggle with the regressive sales tax.  The cost of the higher
> grocery tax credit erodes about half of the state revenue gained by
> raising the sales tax to protect education.
>
>   What would you recommend to handle the revenue shortfall?  Further
> reductions of agency budgets, including K-12 and higher education?  Use
> all or part of the reserve funds?  Find ways to increase revenue?  A
> combination of these ideas?
>
>   Governor Otter will be in Kendrick tomorrow (September 23) from 9 AM to
> 3 PM.  He will be at the Kendrick fire station - adjacent to the city
> park.  This is your opportunity to voice your opinion directly to him.
>
>   Shirley Ringo (883-1005, 301-2272)
>
>   Please contact me if you have questions.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown