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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi-<br>
<br>
Property taxes fund schools, cities, and a few other places. About 2/3 goes to
schools and about 1/3 goes to the cities. The "property tax reflief"
being discussed is talking about the school portion and will likely leave the
cities portion untouched.<br>
<br>
Reading the piece from Elliot Werk points out why most people distrust their government.
I am always disappointed when politicians give a public description of their
actions that hide the real self-serving motives. One of the reasons I ran for
city council a couple of years ago was to show people that it was possible to
run for an office, express a set of beliefs during a campaign, and act on those
beliefs in an ethical way throughout a term of office. Our state and our
country would be so much better served if a majority of politicians acted in
this manner.<br>
<br>
Enjoy the summer heat.<br>
John<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>-----Original Message-----<br>
From: vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com] On
Behalf Of J Ford<br>
Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2006 12:08 PM<br>
To: vision2020@moscow.com<br>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Property tax cut?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>How does this affect what Mayor Cheny wants to
do? Does this mean her 3% <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>tax hike is out the window followed closely by her 9
new employees?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>J :]<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>From: Ralph Nielsen <nielsen@uidaho.edu><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>To: Vision2020@moscow.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Subject: [Vision2020] Property tax cut?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 08:50:26 -0700<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>ELLIOT WERK<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">IDAHO</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">STATE</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> SENATE<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Legislative News<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The Special Interest Session<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>July 16,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>
Volume 1, Number 6<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>In This Issue<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>7 The Special Interest
Session Whats in it For You?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>7 Town Hall Meeting on the
Property Tax Plans July 24th, 6:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boise</st1:place></st1:City>
Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Handy Web Links<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>My Home Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Find out what is happening, what Ive been up
to, or fill out my<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>latest survey<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Legislative Web Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Excellent place to read bills, track legislation,
contact<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>legislators, and more<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Secretary of State Elections Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Look at campaign sunshine reports, lobbyist
registration, and more<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Absentee Ballot Request<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Vote by mail, its quick, easy, and convenient<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Contact Me<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>http://www.elliotwerk.org<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>mailto:elliotwerk@mindspring.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Phone: 658-0388<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Legislative Messages: 332-1000<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Snail Mail:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">6810
Randolph Dr.</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Boise</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">ID</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">83709</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The Special Interest Session Whats
in it For You?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>By now many of you have heard talk of a special
session of the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>legislature to provide a property tax cut. The
Governor has asked<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>legislators to hold Friday, August 25, 2006 open
in case a special<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>session is called.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Homeowners are rightfully asking for something to
be done about<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>rapidly escalating property taxes. So, if a
special session of the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>legislature is called - whats in it for you the
homeowner?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>To answer that question lets take a look at
the tax cut proposal<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>that the Governor has laid out (both in his
inaugural speech and many<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>times since). Then we can talk a bit about how the
proposal affects<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>homeowners, and then about how the special session
will work. Lastly<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>I will lay out the recently announced Democratic
plan that provides<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>100% of the property tax relief to homeowners
without raising the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>sales tax.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The Governors Proposal - The proposal removes
the school property<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>tax levy (known as the M&O - $3 per $1,000 of
property value) from<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>all types of properties and shifts that cost
(about $250 million) to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>the sales tax. This would result in a reduction of
about 20% in<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property taxes for all classes of properties.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>That sounds pretty good. Until you look at the
details.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>This proposal was rejected three times by the
Senate in the last<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>legislative session because it penalizes the
people that are asking<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>for the tax cut the homeowners - while
substantially weakening<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>education funding. There is no tax relief for
homeowners in this<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>plan, just the mirage of relief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Let me explain.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>How the Proposal Affects Homeowners - Property
taxes are calculated<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>differently for residential property compared to
all other types of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property. While residential property taxes are based
on full market<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>value (what we can sell our house for on the
market) other types of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property (commercial, industrial, utility, and
agricultural) are<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>assessed based on income potential. This has led
to a dramatic<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>difference in property value increases over the
last five years<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>(really forever).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>For instance, while agricultural land and utility
property taxes have<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>actually dropped almost 10% in the last five
years, residential<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property taxes have increased by almost 92%.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>So back to the Governors plan according
to Idaho Tax Commission<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>figures - removing the M&O from all classes of
property gives 60% or<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>about $150 million of the tax cut to properties
other than owner<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>occupied homes (like your home that qualifies for
the homeowner<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>exemption). That leaves 40% of the cut for you and
me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>So lets recap, properties that have remained
relatively flat or even<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>seen a decrease in their property taxes in the
last five years will<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>get 60% of the tax cut while properties that have
seen a 92% increase<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>in property taxes get 40%. Seems a bitunfair.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>And it gets even worse. We, the homeowners, pick
up the lions share<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>of that $250 million cost since the proposal
shifts the school levy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>from property to sales taxes and business is
generally exempt from<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>paying sales tax (remember all those tax
exemptions). If business<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>properties are paying part of the school levy
today and we shift to a<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>tax that they do not pay (and the costs stay the
same) then<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>homeowners pick up that extra burden. That is how
a tax cut becomes a<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>tax increase for you the homeowner.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Another recap 60% of the tax cuts go to
special interests that have<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>seen no substantial property tax increases over
the last five years<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>and homeowners see an overall increase in our tax
burden as we pick<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>up the full cost for school funding.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>But that is not all. Unfortunately theres
more.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>If you itemize deductions on your federal income
taxes you can deduct<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>your property taxes from your income. So in
reality you pay your<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property taxes with 75 or 80 cent dollars
(depending on your tax<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>bracket). So not only will homeowners pay for a
tax cut for special<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>interests, but you also lose the deductibility of
that portion of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>your tax burden!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>That is why the Senate rejected this plan three
times during the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>regular session it raises taxes on the
people that need the cuts<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>the most the homeowners. And it gives a
juicy tax cut to property<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>classes that have not seen substantial property
tax increases!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>If you dont believe me you can ask Senator
Hal Bunderson chairman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>of the Senate Local Government and Taxation
committee (you can<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>contact him at 888-7156). After weeks of study
using Idaho Tax<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Commission figures he led the charge against this
plan in the regular<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>session and has spoken out repeatedly against it
recently in the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
Statesman.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>That is why I call the contemplated special
legislative session a<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Special Interest session. It will
provide tax relief only to the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>special interests not the homeowner.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>How Will the Special Interest Session
Work? As the Governor has<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>laid it out, a proposal will be worked out behind
closed doors. The<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Governor will line up support for the plan prior
to calling the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Special Interest session - guaranteeing
that he has enough votes to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>assure a quick victory. The Special
Interest session will be called<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>on a Friday (August 25th) where the only proposal
considered will be<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>his plan. There will be no committee hearings, no
public testimony,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>and no other plans considered.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The Democratic Plan Property taxes on owner
occupied homes have<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>increased an average of 92% in the last five
years. You need some<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>relief. Our plan provides homeowners with 100% of
the relief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The plan is simple everyone that qualifies
for the homeowner<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>exemption is given an additional exemption from
the school M&O levy.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>You get a 20% property tax cut and special
interests get nothing. No<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>shift, no complications. Just tax cuts where they
are needed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The cost of our plan is $104 million which can be
absorbed by our<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>ongoing surplus (we currently have a $200 million
fund balance of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>that about $100 million is likely ongoing revenue
we can use to fund<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>property tax relief).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>Town Hall Meeting on the Property Tax Plans<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>The Ada County Democratic legislators will host a
Town Hall Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>at 6:30 PM on Monday, July 24th at the <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boise</st1:place></st1:City> Public Library. The<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>purpose of the meeting is to have a public review
of both property<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>tax plans and provide the opportunity for the
public to discuss and<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>comment on the plans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>We are offering this opportunity to ensure that
the public is well<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>informed about the property tax plans and the
ramifications of each<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>plan.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>I hope to see you all there. You might want to
arrive early since<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>space is limited and we expect a large crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>In closing I would ask you to contact your
legislators to voice your<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>opinion about property tax relief. Do you want to
pay for a cut for<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>the special interests or would you like targeted
relief for<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>homeowners. You can contact your legislator by
name at http://<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbyname.cfm
or by district at<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbydistrict.cfm.
You can<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>also contact the Governor (after all he is leading
the charge) at<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>either 334-2100 or via email at
http://gov.idaho.gov/ourgov/<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>contact.html.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>=====================================================<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>> List services made available by First Step
Internet,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>> serving the communities of the Palouse
since 1994.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>
http://www.fsr.net<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>>====================================================<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>_________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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