13 Gop Lawmakers Reportedly Tax Hike Foes 2, However, Say They Don’t Recall Signing State Coalition’s Pledge

Thirteen Republican legislators vowed to oppose any tax hike, a watchdog group says, although two contend they do not recall signing the pledge with the Idaho Tax Reform Coalition.

“I certainly don’t have any desire to raise any taxes,” Rep. Christian Zimmermann of Cascade said Tuesday. “But to lock oneself into a position before all the cards are dealt is not a wise thing to do. Who knows what could come up?”

Rep. Max Mortensen of St. Anthony said it disturbs him the coalition is making assumptions about him.

“I doubt I will vote for any tax increases, but who knows what the situation will be?” he said.

Mortensen said he supported raising the gas tax and vehicle registration fees in 1996 after Rep. JoAnn Wood, R-Rigby, extracted commitments from the state Transportation Department over how to spend the money.

Both Mortensen and Zimmermann are listed on Americans for Tax Reform’s home page on the Internet for signing the anti-tax hike pledge. The coalition is a state affiliate of Americans for Tax Reform.

Andrey Mullen, the national group’s executive director, said each pledge is signed by lawmakers in front of two witnesses. She speculated legislators who deny they signed the pledge probably are thinking about raising taxes on their constituents when they already have pledged not to do so.

“It would be a rather opportune time to forget,” she said.

Sandy Clark of Coeur d’Alene, chairman of the Idaho Tax Reform Coalition, said Mortensen and Zimmermann might have signed the pledge last year.

“I don’t maintain that (home) page,” he said. “It is a national organization.”

GOP Reps. Jim Clark of Hayden, Jeff Alltus of Hayden, W.O. Taylor of Nampa, Ron Crane of Caldwell, Shirley McKague of Meridian and Wood are listed on the group’s home page for signing, as well as Senate Local Government and Taxation Chairman Jerry Thorne of Nampa.