Bill Imperils Funds For Local Colleges

A southern Idaho lawmaker proposed legislation Monday that would let taxpayers vote to stop funding community colleges like North Idaho College.

Taxing districts exist in Kootenai County to fund NIC and in Jerome and Twin Falls counties to fund the College of Southern Idaho.

Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, made no provision in her bill to make up the money. But House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Ron Black, R-Twin Falls, has proposed two bills to replace those local property tax funds with liquor or beer taxes.

Rep. Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene, said that he didn’t think Kootenai County voters would opt out of the NIC taxing district even if they’re given the chance.

“I think that (the people) are fond and proud of NIC. Many feel the pain of dramatically inflated property taxes, but I think they can still support funding education.”

Rep. Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint, disagreed.

“We need to take a look at funding for junior colleges … it is by no means a fair distribution of money. We should look at it to make it part of the (state-funded) university system.”

Both Pietsch and Pischner voted to introduce the bill and refer it to the Revenue and Taxation Committee.