Matters of money

North Idaho legislative candidates face a number of issues this election season, including how to get a handle on ever-increasing property taxes in resort areas and whether more controls are needed over the agricultural practice of grass burning.

Another ongoing concern in the Legislature and across the state is the question of how to help school districts pay for construction and maintenance needs.

This year, the Idaho Supreme Court struck down a law passed by the previous Legislature that turned the tables on a long-standing lawsuit that several school districts had filed against the state over school funding. The legislation allowed the state to sue school districts for failing to provide safe facilities for learning, and gave the judiciary the job of forcing school districts to levy property owners to fund those schoolhouse needs without a vote. The court ruled the law unconstitutional.

Another matter of concern is the fate of the Coeur d’Alene Lake Management Plan, which is designed to maintain the health of the lake and prevent recontamination of the water column with heavy metals. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is concerned that once the plan is complete, state and federal partners in its development will fail to adequately finance its implementation.

The tribe has challenged state and federal leaders to join it in pledging $5 million to begin the work of carrying out the plan’s recommendations. Thus far, state and federal sources of funding have yet to be identified.

Candidates in Legislative Districts 1 and 4 were asked to articulate their thoughts on these and other issues. Next week, candidates from District 5 will be featured.

For candidate biographies in these and other Idaho legislative races, go to Election Central at www.spokesmanreview.com.