Democrats stand by tax reform plan

Idaho Democrats on Tuesday released a five-page legal opinion concluding that their property tax reform plan is constitutional – in response to continuing contentions from Gov. Jim Risch that it’s not.

The Democrats want to eliminate the school operations property tax levy only for homeowners; Risch wants to eliminate it for all taxpayers, plus raise the sales tax. Only Risch’s proposal will be considered in a Friday special session of the Legislature.

Risch has been citing the state constitution, saying the only way to give property tax relief is to give it to everyone. Article VII, Section 5 of the constitution says, “All taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of subjects.” But the same section also says, “The legislature may allow such exemptions from taxation from time to time as shall seem necessary and just.”

C.A. Daw, a Boise attorney, expert in property tax law and former deputy attorney general for the Idaho Tax Commission, concluded that the Democratic plan creates an exemption, so it’s constitutional.

Risch said he disagrees.

An Idaho attorney general’s opinion on the question issued Monday said, “Unfortunately, the answer to this question is uncertain and will have to await a ruling by the Idaho Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, a former Idaho Supreme Court justice said limiting Friday’s special legislative session to only one bill is illegal.

According to the Idaho Constitution, the governor can call an extra session for “the purposes for which he has convened it.” The Legislature cannot “legislate on any subjects other than those specified in the (governor’s) proclamation.”

Former Justice Robert Huntley, a Democrat who served from 1982 to 1989, said considering only one bill is different from considering one subject, on which a number of bills might be put forward.

“If they don’t get to introduce the bill because of perceived limitations in the governor’s proclamation, then that would be a violation of the constitution,” Huntley said.

Spokane

Airport corridor closes for work

Some air travelers may have trouble finding their way around Spokane International Airport in the coming days.

Starting Saturday, passengers will have to walk through an enclosed corridor to reach security screening in the main terminal.

The corridor that used to take travelers to security and A/B concourse gates will be closed until November as part of an $8 million project to update the terminal and add restaurants and shops.

The main terminal bathrooms will also be closed. Passengers and friends and family can still use restrooms near the rental car desks and near the C concourse.

MOSCOW, Idaho

Settlement to go toward UI research

University of Idaho President Tim White says the school will spend much of its settlement money from the University Place scandal to recruit researchers to campus.

The school and a trust managed by the university’s foundation agreed to a $2.5 million settlement in March, ending the litigation phase of a long-running dispute over the troubled project.

In a speech to university professors and staffers, White said $1 million in settlement money will be spent hiring new professors and starting major research projects, such as building laboratories. Last year, UI spent more than $100 million on research projects, far outpacing all other Idaho schools.

After an investment deal for University Place unraveled, the university lost millions of dollars and failed to complete the Boise expansion. The settlement reimburses the school for some of those losses.