The big six
Property tax
With growing concerns around the state about rising property taxes, especially from homeowners, a legislative panel has proposed seven major reforms in Idaho’s property tax system, including increasing the homeowner’s exemption.
Where things stand: Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has called for expanding the “circuit breaker” exemption for low-income seniors and the disabled, and giving them a deferral option. He didn’t address the other proposals, saying instead that he thinks property taxes are a local, rather than a state, issue.
School construction
The Idaho Supreme Court in December declared the state’s system for funding school construction unconstitutional, and ordered lawmakers to fix it. The justices offered some suggestions, including state funding for construction rather than local property taxes alone, and a lower supermajority for school bonds.Where things stand: The governor proposed lowering the supermajority from two-thirds to 60 percent, if the vote takes place during the primary or general election. Legislative leaders said they’d support the move, which requires two-thirds approval from each house of the Legislature and a majority vote of the people to amend the state Constitution. No proposed increases in state spending have been introduced yet.
Prisons/Crime
The state was forced this year to ship more than 300 inmates out of state at a cost of $6 million a year because a federal judge had ordered an end to overcrowding. 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: The governor proposed doubling sentences for some sex crimes, and for failure to register as a sex offender. He also called for cracking down on gangs. Kempthorne also called for a $16 million prison expansion, and a new 400-bed substance abuse treatment facility.
Road construction/Bonding
Last year, Kempthorne 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 – the biggest highway construction project in state history – Kempthorne urged lawmakers to approve the bonding and build the road projects. Major upgrades to U.S. Highway 95 are part of the plan.
Budget
Idaho has a projected $214 million budget surplus. However, the surplus is expected to be a one-time windfall, and many urgent needs have been delayed during the budget crunch of recent years, from building maintenance to state employee raises.
Where things stand: Kempthorne proposed dividing the surplus three ways – $67 million to beef up the state’s “rainy day” fund; $67 million to transfer to the permanent building fund to pay for increased building maintenance at state colleges and universities and a $33 million statewide program to renovate state parks; and $63 million to send a $50 check to every man, woman and child in Idaho to offset recent high energy costs. He also proposed a 3 percent merit-based raise for state employees to start by the end of this month.
Education
The state Education Board wants to require far more math and science for Idaho high school students to graduate, along with a senior project and other requirements, as part of a “redesign” of the state’s high school curriculum. State Schools Superintendant Marilyn Howard wants more spending on public schools, including pay raises for teachers. An annual poll of Idahoans found education funding is their top.
Where things stand: Kempthorne proposed the state’s first-ever billion-dollar education budget, which would give schools a 4.9 percent budget boost. He also proposed 2.5 percent raises for teachers, starting July 1, and boosting starting teacher pay to $30,000 a year, up from $27,500. The governor also endorsed the high school curriculum redesign.