Spring is in the air, and Idaho legislators are itching to wrap up and return home for the year. Their target date for the end of session has been March 20, which means bills are moving quickly at the capitol. Lawmakers are trying to push that adjournment date even earlier amid concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus.
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After three days of hearings and hours of testimony from county and city officials, an Idaho House panel has approved a bill that would temporarily freeze the portions of local government budgets funded by property taxes. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved the bill last week with a do pass recommendation on a 12-3 party line vote.
The bill prohibits local governments—except for school districts—from certifying a property tax budget or levy in 2020 that exceeds the amount budgeted in 2019.
Read MoreLast week the Idaho House approved a bill that would affect the frequency of local bond elections, and the House State Affairs Committee takes up a second one this week.
If passed into law, House Bill 347 would prohibit taxing districts from holding a bond election for eleven months after a failed bond on the same subject. According to sponsor Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, the proposal is meant to protect voters from what she calls aggressive taxing districts.
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The presidents of Idaho’s four-year public universities delivered a joint presentation to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on the state of higher education.
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Governor Brad Little delivered his second State of the State address Monday, highlighting past achievements and calling for increased education spending amid an otherwise lean budget year. The governor’s proposed budget calls for improved K-3 literacy, increased teacher salaries, and investments in specific higher education programs.
Photo by Riley Haun, Idaho Public Radio
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