A grocery tax compromise brokered by House leaders is breaking through, but transportation bills are stuck, with even more “new ideas” in the works at this late date. Meanwhile, the House Rev & Tax folks are going to look at just a handful more exemptions after *shocking* news that cutting both grocery and personal property taxes could hurt the budget a few years down the road.
Two reviews of legislation that affects cities and counties today, Pro-Life is also a position, Ron Paul’s ballot position and a Taser death in today’s Newsrack…
House-Senate game of road chicken. House wants an audit of Idaho Transportation Department. Senate wants its funding bills. Moyle: “No audit, no enhanced revenues.” Davis: “Send us the bills, we’ll deal with it all.” Druzin in the Statesman. $134 million for another round of GARVEE. Goins in the CDA Press.
Grocery tax bill heads to full Senate. Otter has given tepid OK to weak grocery tax credit. Budget analyst: This AND personal property tax repeal will hurt the state budget. Langhorst: Throw Joe and Jane Idaho a bone. AP in the Press Tribune. Russell in the Spokesman. Druzin in the Statesman.
Legislators give local government the shaft. By most accounts. Rep. Leon Smith: “We want to cram a Constitutional amendment down that further restricts cities from taxing themselves … but we tell them ‘you fix it, that’s your job.” Hoffman in the BW. Hill: If we don’t like what them mayors do we can vote them out. Davidson in the Post Register [subscrip].
Boise City Hall gadfly raises hackles at Legislature. Counties, cities want to circumvent a court ruling that prevents them from certain bonding projects that are repaid by fees. Boise Guardian blogger David Frazier brought the suit against a parking garage at BOI. Miller, AP in the Press Tribune.
Lake floats a few more tax exemption repeals. Albertsons bill, broadband and R&D exemptions. Dey in the Statesman.
Secure mental health facility gets funding. Don Wimberly on Boise State Radio. [audio]
N. Idaho well adjudication bill on gov’s desk. Would let N. Idaho residents lay claim to their wells in case of drop in water table. Defers something too. Garmire in the Shoshone News Press.
Pro-Life is a position. David Ripley of Idaho Chooses Life concerned that voters will pick Pro-Life the position, not just the man. He’s organic. And wants 5% of Craig’s seat. AP in the Times-News.
EXTRA EXTRA
Vegas cops tasered Burley man to death. Clark county coroner rules death a homicide. Friedman in the Times-News.
Where they drink. Coffee. A roundup of political dealings at Boise Coffee Houses. Darr in the BW.
Madam Speaker in the House. Henbest gets chance at gavel. Fisher on NewWest.net.
Ron Paul will be on May primary ballot. In the BW Beat.
