The 2007 Legislative Session
by Senator Brent Hill
This was a good year for Idaho and its citizens. Idaho’s economy is strong and growing—due in part to our sound tax policy and friendly business environment. Because of our success, we were able to increase funding for public education and drug treatment programs. Just as important are changes we made in the law to protect victims of child abuse and rein in those auto insurance carriers that try to take advantage of their customers. Unfortunately, we failed to increase the Grocery Tax Credit that was targeted to all citizens and to repeal the personal property tax on business equipment.
Public School Budget now at $1.37 Billion
Our public schools got a 5.9% boost in funding this year—$5 million more
than the governor requested. In addition to increased teacher salaries,
the additional appropriation will provide more compensation for beginning
teachers and pay for more supplies in the classroom. In order to allow
school districts to utilize high-quality teachers who have retired,
we also passed legislation permitting retired teachers to be rehired
without jeopardizing their retirement benefits. Good teachers and
adequate facilities are essential for the success of our children
and the future of this state. I continue to support our public education
system and its dedicated educators.
Getting Kids Off the Streets and Into
the Alleys
In a historical override of a governor’s
veto (only the third veto override of an Idaho Republican governor’s
veto since 1919), both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly approved
legislation that will put an end to smoking in bowling centers. This
comes three years after the Legislature passed the Idaho Clean Indoor
Air Act that prohibited smoking in most other public places, including
restaurants, offices, stores and sports arenas. This is the last step
in eliminating the dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke in public
places where children are permitted. Beginning July 1, you can take
up bowling again and know you and your children are safe from tobacco
smoke.
Child Sexual Abuse
Representative Mack Shirley and I were the sponsors of two pieces of legislation that will help protect our children from sexual abuse and make it easier for authorities to prosecute child molesters. Idaho now has statutes every bit as tough as “Jessica’s Law”. We never want Idaho to become a “safe haven” for sexual predators. This legislation will not return the innocence to a little boy or girl who has been
defiled and degraded, but it will hold the wicked accountable for their nefarious acts of violence.
Bringing Justice to Auto Insurance Policies
I spent a great deal of my time this session passing legislation making it much more difficult for insurance companies to evade paying legitimate claims. One bill prohibits a “family step-down” where the insurance company inconspicuously excludes spouses, children and others from full coverage. Another bill that was vetoed by the governor required insurance companies to offer “underinsured” in addition to the “uninsured” coverage already available. This coverage would have been completely optional to the policy holder, but notification of its availability was required.
Failed Tax Cuts
Idahoans who file income tax returns have been entitled to a $20
rebate for each household member to help offset the sales tax they
pay on food. With increasing food costs and the state sales tax now
at 6%, a change in the grocery tax credit was overdue. The Legislature
doubled the credit to $40 per person ($60 for seniors), but the governor
vetoed the bill because he wanted an even larger credit to go to low-income
families and take the credit away from those who “didn’t need it.”
Personal
Property Taxes
I co-sponsored legislation that would have phased out the personal property tax businesses must pay on everything from office staplers to forklifts. This onerous tax was repealed decades ago for property owned by individuals (yes, the furniture in your home was once subject to property tax) and for farm equipment in 2001. Lost property tax revenues to local governments would have been reimbursed by the state. But even though the phase-out was over an eight-year period, the overall cost was too much for the Legislature to swallow. If we are going to get relief from personal property taxes in the future, the business sector will probably have to make concessions to help fund it. One possibility is to trade the personal property tax for the investment tax credit allowed on business equipment purchases—a credit discontinued years ago by the federal government, but lingering in state law. I will be working with business interest groups and other legislators this summer to negotiate a repeal of the personal property tax to help make Idaho an even more business-friendly state.
Tax Policy Interim Committee
The Legislature established a committee to analyze Idaho’s overall tax policy and provide suggestions to the Legislature. Representative Dennis Lake (chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee) and I will chair the committee as we meet during the summer months. We plan to establish principles regarding sound tax policy that will help the Legislature evaluate and enact tax laws.
My Door is Always Open
Your input is vital to me. When issues come up that concern you, please
do not hesitate to contact me.
Senator Brent Hill
| 1010 South 2nd East | bhill@senate.idaho.gov |
| Rexburg Idaho 83440 | www.senatorhill.com |