The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee is hearing emotional testimony this morning against HB 563, the House-passed tax-cut bill for top earners. "It's a shameful message to send to Idaho's working families," Marty Durand told the committee. Cindy Tiferet said, "We once again choose to help only those who are doing the best."

David Hensley, chief of staff for Gov. Butch Otter, told the committee, "For the governor, tax relief is a first step, and he believes it's an important first step this session." Tax reform, he said, will take more time and "thoughtful consideration." Said Hensley, "DFM and JFAC agree that there's enough money to accomplish the priorities that you've set forth that the governor agrees with." He said the governor believes cutting top individual and corporate income tax rates will help new and existing companies create jobs in the state.

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, who presented the bill to the committee, said it's part of a three-pronged session-ending deal, restoring teacher salary cuts that would have been required in future years by the "Students Come First" reform law; refilling drained reserve funds; and cutting taxes. "We need all three legs of this plan to hold us up and get us on our way home,” Winder told the panel. He said he thinks he has the votes to pass the bill in the full Senate if it clears the committee.