Local Option Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment Passes House

The House has just passed HJR004 by a near party line vote of 51-19. Though the Chamber has been a strong proponent of Local Option Taxing Authority it is opposed to this Constitutional Amendment for the fact that it would make local option taxing authority more difficult and less attainable by requiring 66 2/3 support to pass Local Option Sales Taxes. Take for example the remarks of Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, who stated, “It does not forbid a local option tax, it just makes it a little harder.”

This Consitutional Amendment comes despite repeated court decisions upholding current Local Option Authority. For a complete recap on the House vote check out the Eye of Boise Blog HERE.

House Passes Personal Property Tax Repeal

The House has just passed H0599 which will repeal the Personal Property Tax. The Chamber has been an advocate in favor of this repeal which would lift the burdensome task of calculating this tax businesses must pay. In eliminating this burden, business owners would have more capital to reinvest in their businesses and their employees.

For a more detailed account of today's House vote, check out Betsy Russel's Blog HERE.

House Rejects H0616

Earlier today the House rejected H0616 by a narrow margin. This bill would have detrimentally affected Urban Renewal Agencies by eliminating local decision making authority to "shoestring" and requiring redundant financial reporting. Rep. George Sayler (D-District 4) was the only local legislator backing the Chamber's position against this bill, voting no.

Personal Property Tax Legislation Clears Rev & Tax

H0599 which would repeal Personal Property Tax cleared the House Revenue and Taxation Committee this morning by a narrow margin. This legislation still faces a number of obstacles this session as noted by Betsy Russell in her Eye on Boise Blog. Check out her reporting HERE.

We encourage our members to send your support for H0599 to our local legislators via the Idaho Chamber Alliance "Call to Action" button HERE.

Rep. Hart Reintroduces Earlier Defeated Legislation

On Monday Rep. Phil Hart (R-District 3) managed to get an RS Printed and sent to the Second Reading Calendar before the public was able to weigh in. This move is particularly troubling since an almost exact version of this bill was defeated in committee the previous week. With only a few slight word changes H0616 is now on the second reading calendar. The Chamber opposses 616 on the same grounds that it lobbied against the earlier version H0568, for its unnecesary changes to current Urban Renewal Legislation that removes local authority from the decision making process that currently governs Urban Renewal Law and district expansion.

Commissioner Hints at Extending Comp. Plan Review

Commissioner Rick Currie has indicated an openness to allowing more than the allotted 30 days to develop feedback on the new comprehensive plan. In a recent Coeur d'Alene Press article (which can be view HERE) the Chamber's request for a minimum of 90 days to read, review and comment on the final draft was cited.

The Chamber will continue to monitor this process, and in coordination with the Public Policy Sub-group develop talking points for our members, as well as a workshop to learn more about the comprehensive plan and it's effects on business.

Transportation Issues Making Waves in Boise

Betsy Russell reports on her "Eye on Boise" Blog that transporation issues are the center of attention today with discussion centered around a number of Gov. Otter proposals. The Chamber supports efforts by the legislature to find additional funding for the plethora of road projects across the state. You can read more about the Governor's proposals HERE.