Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol is facing an ethics complaint that he used his legislative privilege too many time to avoid litigation by the Idaho State Tax Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. Hart was cleared on a charge of having a conflict-of-interest during committee votes in an earlier ethics hearing by a 4-3 party line vote, with Republicans voting to clear Hart and Democrats opposing it. The second hearing is a result of a delayed ruling by ethics committee chairman Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, who deferred passing judgement of the second charge in the original hearing because Hart had an open case with the tax commission/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

• You can listen in to the Ethics Committee hearing re: a complaint filed against tax resisting Rep. Phil Hart here.
• Hart wants reconsideration from Tax Appeals board/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
• Loerstcher: 'Might be difficult for us to do/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
  

Question: Can Hart expect to get another 4-3 pass from Republican majority?