In his editorial today, Marty Trillhaase of the Lewiston Tribune defends the tax revenuer who created a nationwide stir by insisting that a couple of kids selling pumpkins to raise money for sports. Marty opines: “Gilmore’s getting a bad rap on this story. She didn’t shut down the business. Never even hinted at it. The children weren’t at home when she stopped by. Nor was she being selective. People who engage in farmers markets, roadside produce stands and flea markets are obligated to get a license and collect sales tax.” Then, Marty goes on to say it’s strange that Idaho cracks down on kids when it looks the other way on bigger tax cheats: multi-state corporations, special interests, Internet & catalogue sales, tax scofflaws, and, of course, our own Phil Hart: “The Republican representative from Athol has made a mockery of state and federal tax laws.” More here.

Question: In other parts of the state, Rep. Phil Hart’s name has become synonymous with tax cheat/timber thief. Why are local Republicans so tone deaf to such an outcry?

Jacob Charais, 6, and his little sister Sami-Lou, 4, sit in front of their pumpkin stand at their home in Lewiston on Friday.  The Idaho State Tax Commission wants them  to close their pumpkin stand at their family home.  Their parents, Dan amd Kami Charais, were contacted by a tax commission representative and told to stop selling pumpkins. Original Hucks post here. And: Full Lewiston Tribune story here. (Lewiston Tribune photo: Kyle Mills)

• Idaho makes national news by shutting down pumpkin stand/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter
  

Question: What do you think the Idaho Tax Commission will do about the outrageous conduct of its reps in this situation, now that the public has found out about it?

“We still have a fair amount of summer left but you know Fall is approaching in North Idaho when the pumpkins are maturing and the corn crop is ready to harvest,” posts Sunny/Bent’s Beer Garden. More here.

• Dream a little dream (of school’s first day)/A Butterfly Moment
• Book review: Republican noise machine/Arch Druid
• 1st Priest Lake triathlon successful/As The Lake Churns
• Cyberspace show and tell/Atmospheric Ruminations
• New Orleans 5 years later/Community Comment
• Thank you Walt Whitman/Gathering Around The Table
• Welcome to hotels.com/ilovecda.com
• Serious yummage/JeanC’s Cat House & Shooting Gallery
• Getting a point across/Live, Love, Laugh, Hope
• Idaho cultural experience/Slight Detour
• Empty/Tumblewords

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