The Senate Local Government & Taxation Committee today approved HB 75, the bill to remove Idaho’s 6 percent sales tax from prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, and sent it to the full Senate for a final vote; the bill earlier passed the House, 57-12. The Senate panel voted 5-2 in favor of the bill, with all members saying it was good policy – glasses and contact lenses are the only prescription item that’s now taxed, and Idaho is one of only six states that taxes them. But Sens. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, and Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, said they favored holding off on a vote until they know what other tax measures might be coming along this year, so they can weigh priorities. That motion failed, 2-5.

Committee Chairman Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, opposed a delay, saying an up-or-down vote was in order. “I see the injustice of this,” he said. “I’m one of those that think we have higher priorities.” Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, said, “In my time in the Legislature, I have seen income taxes cut for the wealthiest Idahoans twice. Today … I get to help some folks with a regressive tax. Sales tax is a regressive tax. ... In my district I have folks at the bottom, and they’ve seen precious little in the way of relief. Things like eyeglasses are an issue for families that are having a hard time making it.”

Sen. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, said, “The budget’s driven by the policy, and I don’t mind … making these tough policy decisions as they come along and weighing each one on their merits as to what implications they have on our revenue flow.” In the vote on approving the bill, just McKenzie and Siddoway voted no. Rice said, “I think this is good policy.” The tax break would cost the state’s general fund an estimated $1.42 million next year, when just glasses would be exempted, and $2.84 million in the second year, when contacts would be added. It’s backed by the Idaho Optometric Physicians and has bipartisan backing from 11 legislative co-sponsors.