Tracking the session with Betsy Z. Russell
Property tax
With growing concerns around the state about rising property taxes, especially from homeowners, a legislative interim committee held a dozen public hearings over the summer and recommended major reforms.
Where things stand: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee drew 100 people to its first day of hearings on 35 property tax reform bills, with crowds dwindling to 60 by Wednesday and 35 on Thursday. Debate on the bills is continuing.
School construction
The Idaho Supreme Court in December declared the state’s system for funding school construction unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to fix a system that now relies on local property taxpayers.
Where things stand: Gov. Dirk Kempthorne proposed lowering the supermajority for school construction bonds from two-thirds to 60 percent if the vote takes place during the primary or general election.
Prisons/crime
Idaho’s prisons are overflowing, and the state was forced this year to send more than 300 inmates out of state at a cost of $6 million. Meanwhile, Idaho lawmakers and state officials want to crack down on sex offenders after several high-profile cases and impose much longer sentences.
Where things stand: A slew of bills cracking down on sex offenders were introduced, including one requiring lifetime parole and monitoring for designated violent sexual predators. State prison officials say they need more cells, more treatment beds and higher pay to keep prison guards on the job.
Road construction/bonding
Last year, the governor pushed lawmakers to approve his $1.2 billion “Connecting Idaho” plan, which seeks to do 30 years’ worth of highway construction in the next 10 years, financed by borrowing against future federal highway allocations. Now, the first round of bonding is up for approval.
Where things stand: After a snafu involving the contract to oversee the project, Kempthorne urged lawmakers to approve the bonding and build the road projects, and transportation officials began making the case to lawmakers, including holding breakfast meetings with groups of legislators.
Budget
Idaho has a projected $214 million budget surplus to start off its budget-setting decisions this year, a marked contrast to recent tight years. However, many urgent needs have been delayed during the budget crunch of recent years, such as building maintenance and state employee raises.
Where things stand: The governor signed into law the first bill of the session, granting immediate, permanent, merit-based raises averaging 3 percent to all state employees except those who work for public schools and commissioners and elected officials. Legislation to put $70 million into the state’s rainy-day reserve fund passed the Senate.
Education
The State Board of Education wants to require more math and science for Idaho high school students to graduate, along with a senior project and other requirements. State Superintendent of Schools Marilyn Howard wants more funding for public schools, including pay raises for teachers.
Where things stand: The high school redesign plan remains in limbo, and no new date has been set yet for a House committee to reconsider it.