The big six

Property tax

With growing concerns around the state about rising property taxes, a legislative interim committee held a dozen public hearings over the summer and recommended major reforms.

Where things stand: Eight property tax relief bills passed the House handily and headed to the Senate.

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: Competing bills to change the school construction funding system both were halted in the House Education Committee, which wants more information before proceeding.

Prisons/Crime

Idaho’s prisons are overflowing, and the state was forced this year to ship more than 300 inmates out of state at a cost of $6 million a year. 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: Bills lengthening sentences – in some cases to life – for an array of offenses are moving through the Legislature with little opposition. Lawmakers have reluctantly approved the immediate spending needed to cover the costs of housing overflow inmates out of state and in county jails.

Road construction

Last year, lawmakers approved a $1.2 billion road plan that seeks to accomplish 30 years of projects in just a decade by bonding against future federal highway allocations. Now, the first round of bonding is up for approval by this year’s Legislature.

Where things stand: The chairmen of the House and Senate transportation committees urged legislative budget writers to scale back the first-year funding for the program to just three projects.

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, from building maintenance to state employee raises.

Where things stand: Budget setting began Friday with a contentious vote on raises for state employees. On party-line votes, Republicans on the joint budget committee approved a plan to divide $5 million among 1,200 employees next year whose wages lag the furthest behind market and whose jobs have the highest turnover, in addition to the 3 percent merit raises already approved this year. They rejected a Democratic push to add on an additional 2 percent merit raise.

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.

Where things stand: The high school redesign plan remains in limbo. The Senate killed a bill to give math and science teachers extra pay. A House bill to require school districts to offer kindergarten – it’s now optional – went down to defeat. Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, is pushing to allow more charter schools in Idaho.