The 2006 Legislative Session
by Senator Brent Hill
This was a year of progress for the people of Idaho. Although the 3rd longest session in Idaho history ended on some disappointing notes, the Legislature achieved some significant milestones this year. We finally saw success in defending the family as the fundamental unit of society. We provided greater protection to private property rights and home ownership. We renewed our commitment to education and protected the curriculum in our schools. Here is a rundown of some of the highlights:
Defining Marriage
After years of failed attempts the legislature finally garnished enough votes to approve a constitutional amendment to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman be recognized by the State of Idaho. This clears the way for the citizens of Idaho to express their support for the family on the ballot. It is important that we show up in large numbers to defend the sanctity of marriage in the November election. This opportunity will not come again. (See http://www.senatorhill.com/articles/gaymarriage.htm for an analysis of this issue.)
Property Taxes
Idahoans hate property taxes! Idaho already has one of the lowest property tax burdens in the Western states, but our citizens wanted relief. So, we developed a comprehensive plan that would have reduced property taxes for all property owners. Only portions of the package survived, but this is what we did:
- Increased the homeowners exemption from $50,000 to $75,000 to reduce the heavy tax burden on homes. The appraised value of homes has increased much faster than the value of other property causing a shift of the property tax burden to residences over the past two decades. This increase in the homeowner's exemption which will be indexed for future inflation will provide most homeowners with welcome tax relief.
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Expanded the Circuit Breaker program to reduce or
eliminate the property taxes on the homes of the elderly, poor and
disabled. To further protect those people from ever being forced out
of their home because they cannot afford their property taxes, we
also provided for a “tax deferral.” They can borrow against the equity
in their homes to pay the property taxes and do not have
to repay the loan until the property is sold or the taxpayer dies. - Repealed the so-called “developers discount” that had allowed developers to qualify for the agricultural exemption until the lots were sold.
- We were unable to eliminate the property tax for the maintenance and operations of our public schools and replace it with an increase in state sales tax. This issue, however, will resurface next year. I invite your input.
I have a complete analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of these and other tax issues available upon request.
A Billion Dollars for Public Schools
Our public schools got a much-needed boost in funding this year. The $1.04 billion general fund appropriation represents a 4.5 percent increase for K-12. That includes a 3.78 percent increase in pay for our teachers. (Three percent increase in the base compensation plus additional funding for years of experience, education and an increase in starting salaries.)
Rules Mandating High School Curriculum Halted
The State Board of Education’s attempt to mandate additional math and science for high school students without regard to its affect on other educational programs was stalled after a long battle. The rules would have limited electives such as music and released-time seminary. The Board also ignored the needs of students who do not plan on attending college and the increased dropout rate of borderline students already struggling with math. The Board will be back next year with new ideas, but will hopefully solicit the input from educators, students and parents before presenting their plan to the legislature.
Medicaid Modernization
I have long been critical of the rapid growth of Medicaid expenditures that have increased 1,090 percent since 1990. Medicaid continues to consume state resources that could otherwise be allocated to public education, commerce, public health and other critical services. Last year I led a move in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) to require the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Welfare to initiate meaningful Medicaid reform. This year we are seeing some results. Idaho has been granted permission from the federal government to structure our own programs under Medicaid. As a result, the 2007 Medicaid budget shows the lowest rate of growth in over a decade! If we continue our success, Idaho will become a model for the rest of the nation in all areas of public health care.
Limiting the Power of Eminent Domain
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo v. New London, allowing local governments to use eminent domain to condemn private property in the name of “economic development” awakened Americans to the power of government to take their homes and businesses. The court ruling did, however, allow state legislatures to protect private property rights through state laws. The Idaho Legislature acted quickly to restrict the power of eminent domain and protect the property rights of our citizens.
State Energy Plan
The joint interim Energy Committee which I chair is charged with the task of developing an integrated state-wide energy plan. The plan will set forth Idaho’s policy governing power generation and transmission including nuclear, wind and other renewable energy resources.
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Senator Brent Hill |