The big six
Property tax
With growing concerns from 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: On Thursday, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced 12 property tax reform bills, including all seven proposals from the interim committee. Committee Chairwoman Dolores Crow said all will be heard together in a three-day public hearing starting Jan. 30.
School construction
The Idaho Supreme Court in December declared the state’s system for funding school construction unconstitutional, and ordered lawmakers to fix it.
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. Both House Speaker Bruce Newcomb and Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes said they’d support the move.
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. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced he’ll seek legislation to set mandatory minimum sentences of life in prison for designated violent sexual predators who reoffend. Kempthorne also called for a $16 million prison expansion.
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 Kempthorne urged lawmakers to approve the bonding. Major upgrades to U.S. Highway 95 are part of the plan. On Wednesday, the state Transportation Board formally re-awarded the contract to its original choice, a partnership of Boise-based Washington Group International and CH2M Hill.
Budget
Idaho has a projected $214 million budget surplus, a marked contrast to recent tight years. 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: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee unanimously endorsed the governor’s proposal to grant immediate, merit-based pay raises averaging 3 percent to state employees, and on Thursday, the full Senate passed the bill unanimously. It moves now to the House. JFAC also voted unanimously to put $70 million – more than even the governor wanted –into the budget stabilization fund to save for a rainy day.
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 Superintendent Marilyn Howard wants more spending on public schools, including pay raises for teachers. A poll of Idahoans found education funding is their top priority.
Where things stand: After days of hearings, the high school redesign plan was left in doubt after the House Education Committee deadlocked 9-9 Friday on a motion to approve the plan, and the Senate Education Committee voted 5-4 to reject it. It takes rejection from both committees to stop the plan; lawyers are being consulted to see what’s next. The House committee will take up the issue again on Wednesday.