Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Land developers could see a tax break on improvements to their properties that remain idle, under a measure that cleared the Idaho House. Rep. Steve Hartgen's measure passed the chamber on a wide 57-12 margin on Thursday. Republicans backed sending the measure to the Senate, while Democrats were against it. Under the bill, when a developer adds improvements like roads, the resulting increase in value would be exempt from taxation until building begins or the developer sells the property. It includes provisions preventing any reduction in the taxable value of the property from shifting to other taxpayers. Hartgen, a Twin Falls Republican, hopes this will spur development — and protect developers whose projects have been delayed by the residential housing downturn from being taxed out of existence.