The news media has secured a very unique position in our lives. We have grown to rely on it to explain to us what is going on in the world around us. But good news does not make for very good reading, so bad news dominates the front page and sensational headlines contend for our attention. Couple that with the misinformation disseminated by biased groups and individuals and it is difficult for us to gain the insight and understanding we seek, especially regarding complex issues.

I want to share my perspective of what happened in Boise during the special legislative session called by Governor Risch. Our decision to reduce the overall tax burden on Idaho citizens by cutting property taxes across the board and replacing a portion of that loss by increasing sales tax by a penny was based upon months, even years of research, public testimony, analysis and discussion. Idaho’s improving economy finally provided the means for a tax reduction without making cuts to public services, including education.

The Property Tax Relief Act of 2006 is the most misunderstood tax issue of the year. In spite of inaccurate claims to the contrary, it had no effect upon the public education budget—either currently or in the future—except that safeguards were added to protect public education from future economic turndowns. $113 million has been set aside and dedicated to stabilize the public education budget in the event we face another recession.

Under Idaho’s state-wide equalization formula, the property taxes each school district collected for maintenance and operations had no bearing on its overall budget. Monies for Idaho’s school districts were equalized under law so that the school district that collected more property taxes from its patrons had no economic advantage over any other district. The legislation we passed last week was not an education bill; it was a tax bill affecting only the source of revenues. Senator after senator in floor debate expressed his commitment not to harm education. Of course, those statements were not quoted by the media. The bill would not have received the two-thirds majority support in both houses had there been any chance of injuring our public schools. Any information to the contrary is unreliable.

We need to do more for public and secondary education in Idaho. The past five years have been difficult for most individuals, businesses and governments, but Idaho’s sound tax structure and fiscal conservatism has brought us out of these hard times more rapidly than most other states. I look forward now to improving Idaho’s educational system; for the future of this state, indeed the world, depends on the education of our youth.

For whatever reasons, the news media has largely elected not to report the noble actions this nation has undergone to liberate the people of Iraq from a cruel and murderous regime. Even our own Congressional delegation from Idaho became weary of the prejudiced coverage. They went to Iraq to see for themselves how our brave men and women are rebuilding schools and water systems all while protecting innocent civilians in a dangerous region of the world. Their trip hardly made the last page of the news. Good news is no news.

The Property Tax Relief Act of 2006 is good news for Idahoans. It reduces taxes, protects public education, and enhances Idaho’s sound tax policies. But good news is indeed no news when it comes to the media. We have some very reliable reporters who report accurately and impartially. For them I am most grateful. But, the best place to find information is from the source. If you have questions about legislative actions, please do not hesitate to contact any of your legislators. We, like you, must live with the laws passed by our legislature. This is one law we can certainly live with!