Education:   The  appropriation committee voted to increase the public education budget by only 2.2% – $27 million.  Some money compensates for past teacher salary reductions.   Meanwhile voters around the state voted for measures that either raise property taxes or continue previous levies.   These votes demonstrate that voters are not happy with the ...]]>    Education funding,  tax exemptions, Girl Scout cookie sales and my projects  related  to raising jury pay and post secondary school disclosures  are some of the interesting issues we’ve considered this past week.

   Education:   The  appropriation committee voted to increase the public education budget by only 2.2% – $27 million.  Some money compensates for past teacher salary reductions.   Meanwhile voters around the state voted for measures that either raise property taxes or continue previous levies.   These votes demonstrate that voters are not happy with the State’s funding of education.    Instead of better funding the Legislature is unfortunately reducing revenue.

   Taxes and the Business Personal Property Tax:   The Legislature has already voted for two sales tax exemptions, including exempting software from the “cloud” which could cost the State over $750,000.  We don’t know for sure.   One business personal property proposal will cost the general fund $17 – $20 million and exempt the first $100,000 of such property.   Another idea phases it out over 7 years, costing  $140 million in revenue and there are various proposals for replacement including a shift of the burden to other property taxpayers.
Jury Pay Raise: The good news for our jurors is that a bill I drafted and presented to House and Senate committees passed the Legislature and has been signed by the Governor.  Since 1968 State law limited juror pay to $10 a day.  Counties now have the option to pay up to $50 a day.

   And then there are Girl Scouts:   Yes,  they are asking that cookies sold be exempt from the sales tax.   As sellers they collect a sales tax totaling $140,000  from buyers and remit the money to the State.   The girls made an excellent presentation at the committee, but some people feel that there is nothing wrong with the kids collecting  taxes that help to ultimately pay for the schools they attend.   I haven’t decided how to vote .  I vote against most exemptions.

   Idaho Students Right to Know:   I have authored and introduced a bill to require private trade schools to disclose cost, graduation, retention and job placement rates  and gives the student a 30 day right of rescission.   FICO (the company that gives credit scores) says 25% of student loans are in default.  Student loan debt is now 1 trillion dollars.  I am very interested in expanding this to public institutions
Keep in touch.

I really appreciate your advice and thoughts.