John,<br> <br> Thanks for pointing out that piece of information. I am never for tax cuts unless the government can explain, in detail, how it intends to pay for all government expenses services and cost increases in the next few years. <br> <br> I think property taxes on residential properties are outrageous. However, I think shifting it to sales tax is an even worse injustice. I think the best way to deal with tax burdens is to not increase government spending until people are able to afford the taxes. When too many people are complaining of taxes being beyond their ability to pay for it, chances are that the government is just to big for that community. Cutting taxes, which destroys public services, then having to later raise the taxes again later anyway, is not a good way to run a government. <br> <br> I have not had time to study the issue, however, I think raising taxes and adding more government employees is a bad idea at this time. If there is good
cause to raise taxes and make a significant increase in the number of city employees, the Mayor and Council should be, in detail, explaining why.<br> <br> Best,<br> <br> _DJA<br><br><b><i>John Dickinson <johnd@moscow.com></i></b> wrote:<blockquote class="replbq" style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"> <!--[if !mso]> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline;} p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Verdana; color:maroon;} p.Dialogue, li.Dialogue, div.Dialogue
{margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:1.5in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Courier New";} p.Actor, li.Actor, div.Actor {margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.5in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Courier New";} p.Cues, li.Cues, div.Cues {margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:2.0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Courier New";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 58.65pt 1.0in 58.6pt;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> </o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType></o:SmartTagType><div class="Section1"> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">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></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-----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></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How does this affect what Mayor Cheny wants to do? Does this mean her 3% <o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">tax hike is out the window followed closely by her 9 new employees?<o:p></o:p></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">J :]<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>From: Ralph Nielsen <nielsen@uidaho.edu><o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>To: Vision2020@moscow.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Subject: [Vision2020] Property tax cut?<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Date: Sun, 23
Jul 2006 08:50:26 -0700<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>ELLIOT WERK<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><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></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon"
face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Legislative News<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The Special Interest Session<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>July 16,<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">> Volume 1, Number 6<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>In This Issue<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>7 The Special Interest Session Whats in it For You?<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>7 Town Hall Meeting on the Property Tax Plans
July 24th, 6:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boise</st1:place></st1:City> Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Handy Web Links<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>My Home Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Find out what is happening, what Ive been up to, or fill out my<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font
color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>latest survey<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Legislative Web Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Excellent place to read bills, track legislation, contact<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>legislators, and more<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Secretary of State Elections Page<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Look at campaign sunshine reports, lobbyist
registration, and more<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Absentee Ballot Request<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Vote by mail, its quick, easy, and convenient<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Contact Me<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>http://www.elliotwerk.org<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>mailto:elliotwerk@mindspring.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 11pt;">>Phone: 658-0388<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Legislative Messages: 332-1000<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Snail Mail:<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><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></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The Special Interest Session Whats in it For You?<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>By now many of you have heard talk of a special session of the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>legislature to provide a property tax cut. The Governor has asked<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>legislators to hold Friday, August 25, 2006 open in case a special<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>session is called.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Homeowners are rightfully asking for something to be done about<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>rapidly escalating property taxes. So, if a special session of the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>legislature is called - whats in it for you the homeowner?<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>To answer that question lets take a look at the tax cut proposal<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>that the Governor has laid out (both in his inaugural speech and many<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>times since). Then we can talk a bit about how the proposal affects<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>homeowners, and then about how the special session will work. Lastly<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>I will lay out the recently announced Democratic plan that provides<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>100% of the property tax relief to homeowners without raising the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>sales tax.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The Governors Proposal - The proposal removes the school property<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>tax levy (known as the M&O - $3 per $1,000 of property value) from<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>all types of properties and shifts that cost (about $250 million) to<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon"
face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>the sales tax. This would result in a reduction of about 20% in<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property taxes for all classes of properties.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>That sounds pretty good. Until you look at the details.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>This proposal was rejected three times by the
Senate in the last<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>legislative session because it penalizes the people that are asking<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>for the tax cut the homeowners - while substantially weakening<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>education funding. There is no tax relief for homeowners in this<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>plan, just the mirage of relief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Let me explain.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>How the Proposal Affects Homeowners - Property taxes are calculated<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>differently for residential property compared to all other types of<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property. While residential property taxes are based on full market<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>value (what we can sell our house for on the market) other types of<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property (commercial, industrial, utility, and agricultural) are<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>assessed based on income potential. This has led to a dramatic<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>difference in property value increases over the last five years<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>(really forever).<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>For instance, while agricultural land and utility property taxes have<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>actually dropped almost 10% in the last five years, residential<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property taxes have increased by almost 92%.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;">>So back to the Governors plan according to Idaho Tax Commission<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>figures - removing the M&O from all classes of property gives 60% or<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>about $150 million of the tax cut to properties other than owner<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>occupied homes (like your home that qualifies for the homeowner<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>exemption). That leaves 40% of the cut for you and me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon"
face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>So lets recap, properties that have remained relatively flat or even<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>seen a decrease in their property taxes in the last five years will<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>get 60% of the tax cut while properties that have seen a 92% increase<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>in property taxes get 40%. Seems a bitunfair.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>And it gets even worse. We, the homeowners, pick up the lions share<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>of that $250 million cost since the proposal shifts the school levy<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>from property to sales taxes and business is generally exempt from<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>paying sales tax (remember all those tax exemptions). If business<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>properties are paying part of the school levy today and we shift to a<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>tax that they do not pay (and the costs stay the same) then<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>homeowners pick up that extra burden. That is how a tax cut becomes a<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>tax increase for you the homeowner.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;">>Another recap 60% of the tax cuts go to special interests that have<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>seen no substantial property tax increases over the last five years<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>and homeowners see an overall increase in our tax burden as we pick<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>up the full cost for school funding.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>But that is not
all. Unfortunately theres more.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>If you itemize deductions on your federal income taxes you can deduct<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>your property taxes from your income. So in reality you pay your<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property taxes with 75 or 80 cent dollars (depending on your tax<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>bracket). So not only will homeowners pay
for a tax cut for special<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>interests, but you also lose the deductibility of that portion of<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>your tax burden!<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>That is why the Senate rejected this plan three times during the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>regular session it raises taxes on the people that need the cuts<o:p></o:p></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>the most the homeowners. And it gives a juicy tax cut to property<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>classes that have not seen substantial property tax increases!<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>If you dont believe me you can ask Senator Hal Bunderson chairman<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>of the Senate Local Government and Taxation committee (you can<o:p></o:p></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>contact him at 888-7156). After weeks of study using Idaho Tax<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Commission figures he led the charge against this plan in the regular<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>session and has spoken out repeatedly against it recently in the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> Statesman.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>That is why I call the contemplated special legislative session a<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Special Interest session. It will provide tax relief only to the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>special interests not the homeowner.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>How Will the Special Interest Session Work? As the Governor
has<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>laid it out, a proposal will be worked out behind closed doors. The<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Governor will line up support for the plan prior to calling the<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Special Interest session - guaranteeing that he has enough votes to<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>assure a quick victory. The Special Interest session will be called<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>on a
Friday (August 25th) where the only proposal considered will be<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>his plan. There will be no committee hearings, no public testimony,<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>and no other plans considered.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The Democratic Plan Property taxes on owner occupied homes have<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>increased an average of 92% in the last five
years. You need some<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>relief. Our plan provides homeowners with 100% of the relief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The plan is simple everyone that qualifies for the homeowner<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>exemption is given an additional exemption from the school M&O levy.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>You get a 20% property tax cut and special interests get nothing. No<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>shift, no complications. Just tax cuts where they are needed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The cost of our plan is $104 million which can be absorbed by our<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>ongoing surplus (we currently have a $200 million fund balance of<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div
class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>that about $100 million is likely ongoing revenue we can use to fund<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>property tax relief).<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>Town Hall Meeting on the Property Tax Plans<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>The Ada County Democratic
legislators will host a Town Hall Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>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></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>purpose of the meeting is to have a public review of both property<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>tax plans and provide the opportunity for the public to discuss and<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>comment on the plans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>We are offering this opportunity to ensure that the public is well<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>informed about the property tax plans and the ramifications of each<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>plan.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>I hope to see you all there. You might want to arrive early
since<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>space is limited and we expect a large crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>In closing I would ask you to contact your legislators to voice your<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>opinion about property tax relief. Do you want to pay for a cut for<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>the special interests or would you like targeted relief
for<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>homeowners. You can contact your legislator by name at http://<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbyname.cfm or by district at<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbydistrict.cfm. You can<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>also contact the Governor (after all he is leading the charge) at<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>either
334-2100 or via email at http://gov.idaho.gov/ourgov/<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>contact.html.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">>=====================================================<o:p></o:p></span></font></div> <div class="MsoPlainText"><font color="maroon" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size:
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