Drivers now have four more plates to choose from

Just in case you’re keeping track, four new special license plate bills have been introduced so far this session.

HB 605 would create a special plate to benefit the Idaho State Historical Society, to “preserve the heritage and cultural resources of the state.”

HB 606 would establish a special plate to benefit Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital.

HB 607 would start one to benefit breast cancer education and screening.

And the last one, HB 608, sponsored by Senate Transportation Chairman Skip Brandt, R-Kooskia, would be a National Rifle Association plate – touting the gun-rights organization, but with the money going to the state highway fund.

Brady pays Kempthorne’s tax bill

Jerry Brady, the Democratic candidate for governor, sent an open letter to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne last week 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 require 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.

‘We’re not done yet’

It wasn’t about property taxes – Rep. George Sayler’s proposal in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Tuesday was to give people who donate to Project Safe Place’s teen crisis programs an income tax credit. The committee agreed to introduce the bill, which Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene, said should help the program that provides immediate help and resources for young people in crisis as it faces severe reductions in its federal funding. In Coeur d’Alene, the program recently lost $100,000 in federal funds – two-thirds of its annual budget, reports S-R reporter Erica Curless.

It was the first time in a long time that Rev & Tax didn’t have a property tax bill on its agenda, which instead was filled with income tax credit and sales tax exemption proposals. When Sayler went to present his proposal, he happily pointed out that it wasn’t a property tax bill. Committee Chairwoman Dolores Crow, R-Nampa, responded, “Isn’t it nice to do something other than property tax.” But not everyone was so convinced. A man in the back was heard saying “We’re not done yet!”

More ‘fine pleasures’ legislation

Our observant reporter, Erica Curless, notes that there’s no question that Hayden Lake Rep. Jim Clark enjoys life’s fine pleasures and has spent his legislative career making sure others can partake. This year, she reports, his focus is cigars.

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted last week to introduce Clark’s bill that would cap the amount of excise tax on cigars so Idaho cigar sellers can be more competitive with neighboring Oregon and Washington.

He’s proposing a cap of 50 cents per cigar. “These are handmade, premium cigars, not the stogie cigars you see on the street,” Clark said.

Currently the excise tax is 40 percent of the wholesale price. Clark said that means a box of 25 premium cigars costs about $200 in Idaho, but 15 percent less in Washington and Oregon. The 50-cent cap would bring the cost of that case down to about $165.

After a five-year battle, Clark got a bill passed in 2004 to allow the sale of dessert wines such as port and sherry in grocery stores and restaurants. Previously, only state liquor stores could sell the drinks. Then last year, he pushed to change state law so distributors could sell wine by the bottle instead of having to sell an entire case to a restaurant or other retailer.