The big six

Property tax

With growing concerns around the state about rising property taxes, especially from homeowners, 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 Tax Committee, where six were sent to the amending order, and two, regarding annexation and elections to lower taxes, were killed. The interim committee’s package survived and is now up for amendment.

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: The House passed a GOP leadership bill to put about $5 million in new money into school maintenance, fully fund a bond matching program in the future that was approved three years ago, and set up a $25 million loan fund to replace unsafe schoolhouses. However, to access the loan fund, a school district would have to be taken over by the state, a supervisor appointed who could fire its superintendent, and a no-vote property tax increase imposed on its patrons after they’d twice voted specifically against the increase. The bill now moves to the Senate.

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: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a budget for the Department of Corrections that contains a 17 percent increase in general funds, a $20 million raise. An additional $16 million was approved separately for a 350-bed medium-security prison expansion. Meanwhile, tough bills lengthening sentences for an array of offenses are moving through the Legislature, including sex crimes, drunken driving and drug use by pregnant women.

Road construction

Last year, Gov. Dirk 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 by this year’s Legislature.

Where things stand: JFAC approved a bonding plan totaling $200 million for the next three years, down from Kempthorne’s recommended $218 million for the next two years. Removed from the plan was more than $36 million in right-of-way acquisition for a new freeway from Coeur d’Alene to Sandpoint. The bill now moves to the House.

Budget

Idaho has a projected $214 million budget surplus to start 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, such as building maintenance and state employee raises.

Where things stand: Legislative budget writers have set most of the state budget, including the first $1 billion-plus public school budget. For the first time in years, inflation costs are being funded. State employees got merit raises averaging 3 percent in February.

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, as part of a “redesign” of the state’s high school curriculum. State Superintendent of Schools Marilyn Howard wants more funding for public schools, including pay raises for teachers.

Where things stand: The high school redesign plan remains in limbo, after a resolution calling for studying the issue for a year cleared a House committee. Next year’s school budget includes raises for school district employees and an increase in the minimum teacher salary to $30,000.