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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Edit: Tax Commission’s Credibility Gap

When one whistleblower complains, it's a little easier to write it off as the act of a disgruntled worker. When a legislator takes up the cause and files a lawsuit, it's a little easier to dismiss the move as political posturing. But what does it mean when the roster of whistleblowers continues to grow? It means, in the case of the State Tax Commission, that a serious credibility gap keeps right on growing. This is the agency that is supposed to collect tax dollars from people or businesses that won't pay up. Idahoans should be able to trust the commission to pursue tax cheats without playing favorites - not just to collect dollars for schools and other needed state services, but to make sure everybody pays their fair share. That's how it should work, anyway. But eight current or former employees have signed affidavits in a lawsuit against the commission, The Times-News in Twin Falls reported last week/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman editorial. More here.

Question: Does Idaho's Tax Commission have a credibility problem?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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