Brady pays Kempthorne’s tax bill

Jerry Brady, the Democratic candidate for governor, sent an “open letter” to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne today saying he’s sent Valley County a check for $9.73, the amount of property taxes overdue on Kempthorne’s 14 acres there. Brady said he did so to make two points about property taxes – that the so-called “developer’s discount” loophole that allows land like Kempthorne’s to pay just pennies in taxes needs to change, and that Idaho homeowners need significant property tax relief, something Kempthorne hasn’t endorsed. “Your hands-off approach to property taxes is ill suited to the needs and demands of homeowners across the state,” Brady wrote. “Right now you are doing nothing and showing no leadership. As governor, I will, and there will be property tax reform.” Brady, of course, isn’t running against Kempthorne, who’s not seeking re-election. He’s facing U.S. Rep. Butch Otter in the gubernatorial race.