Urban renewal might not be popular with Idaho’s legislators, but lawmakers aren’t ready to eliminate the districts just yet. After two days of testimony, the House Local Government Committee voted 5-4 Tuesday to hold a bill that would eliminate urban renewal districts in Idaho. During the testimony, the committee heard arguments for and against the bill. Former state Sen. Rachel Gilbert of Boise called urban renewal “food stamps for businesses.” “I’ve watched urban renewal districts grow across this state. There are now 70 urban renewal districts across the state of Idaho,” Gilbert said. Those districts took $52 million from the property tax base in Idaho, she said, adding that the free market should determine which businesses succeed/Melissa Davlin, Twin Falls Times-News. More here.

Question: Would you like to see urban renewal districts eliminated altogether in Idaho?