Budget Writers Try To Take Property Tax Break Batt Wants To Give $1 Million To Counties That Support Community Colleges

Lawmakers tried to divert $500,000 targeted for property tax relief in Kootenai County to statewide public schools on Wednesday, but the effort failed.

The money is part of a $1 million chunk designated by Gov. Phil Batt to offset property taxes now paid by residents of Kootenai, Twin Falls and Jerome counties to support community colleges.

Several members of the Legislature’s budget committee said they couldn’t support the funding in the community college budget because their own home counties have property tax problems too.

But Rep. Ron Black, R-Twin Falls, argued that everywhere else in the state, higher education costs are covered by state general funds. Only in the three counties that support Idaho’s two community colleges do residents have to pay property taxes for a college.

“It’d be my intent to try and come back next year for an additional million, making it $2 million,” Black said.

When Sen. Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino, expressed concern that universities could suffer if the state pays more for community colleges, Black said, “Community colleges are a part of higher education, and they are all suffering.”

Rep. Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene, told the committee that Kootenai County residents who have seen their property values skyrocket are frustrated about their mounting taxes. The $500,000 break matters, even if it amounts to only $20 or $30 a year for a homeowner, he said.

“There’s an element of deep frustration,” Pischner said.

A motion by Sen. Stan Hawkins, R-Ucon, to divert the $1 million to public schools failed on a 7-12 vote. The committee then voted 13-6 for Black’s budget proposal, which exceeds the governor’s recommendation by $11,800.

, DataTimes