In brief: Tax cut for top earners clears panel

BOISE – A $35.7 million income tax cut for Idaho corporations and top individual earners cleared the House tax committee Tuesday and headed for the full House with 40 of the 70 House members co-sponsoring it.

The measure, HB 563, is co-sponsored by Gov. Butch Otter; it would lower Idaho’s top individual income tax rate from 7.8 percent to 7.4 percent and lower the corporate tax rate from 7.6 percent to 7.4 percent. About 17 percent of Idaho income taxpayers would benefit.

Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, one of just four opponents in the House committee, said, “I don’t think it’s responsible to cut taxes when we can’t meet the current needs.” Also voting no was the committee’s chairman, Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, the bill’s lead sponsor, said, “It’s probably the best economic development bill we’ve seen all year.”

One dead, one hurt in I-90 crash

A Post Falls man died Monday night in a three-car accident on Interstate 90 near Stateline.

Walter W. Winward, 59, who was driving a 2000 Subaru Legacy, was killed in the accident shortly before 6 p.m.

The driver of a second vehicle, Larry D. Hartley, 59, of Spokane Valley, was injured and taken to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, where he was listed in fair condition Tuesday.

The third driver was uninjured.

Winward was driving eastbound at the Idaho-Washington border when he lost control, crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes, colliding with a pickup truck driven by Hartley, the Idaho State Police said. Winward’s car then collided with a boom truck.

Winward was pronounced dead at Kootenai Medical Center.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact police at (208) 209-8620.

Meetings set on big game seasons

Proposed hunting seasons for elk, deer, wolves and other big game in North Idaho will be discussed at four public meetings sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Jim Hayden, regional wildlife manager, will discuss the proposals at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Lions Club in Pinehurst, 106 Church St.

Dave Spicer, regional wildlife biologist, will give an 8 a.m. talk Saturday at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries, 628 Main St. Free coffee will be provided at both meetings. Breakfast will be available for those who want it. Cost is $7 in Pinehurst and $8 in St. Maries.

At 7 p.m. on March 8, the proposed seasons will be discussed at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint, in the Lehman Building. At 7 p.m. on March 9, there will be another meeting at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene.

In addition to the meetings, the public can weigh in on the IDFG website, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/.