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: Legislation to increase the homeowner’s exemption passed the Senate, as did legislation to increase the “circuit breaker” tax break for the low income elderly and disabled, to eliminate a tax loophole for rural developers and to allow some low income seniors to defer taxes until they die or sell their homes. Bills to shift half of school operations funding off the property tax and raise the sales tax a half-cent partially to make up the difference were pulled back to committee in the Senate, and another bill was introduced to ask voters if they want to change the state constitution to accomplish the same thing.

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 property taxpayers.

Where things stand: The House and Senate have both passed a GOP leadership bill to put about $5 million 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 is now on the governor’s desk.

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 and to 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 increase. That includes contracting with a private provider to build a new 400-bed treatment facility. Meanwhile, tough bills lengthening sentences for an array of offenses are moving through the Legislature.

Road construction/bonding

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 10 years, financed by borrowing against future federal highway allocations. 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 18 months, a compromise with the governor that also restores $35 million in right-of-way acquisition and engineering for a new freeway from Coeur d’Alene to Sandpoint. The compromise plan also allows the state Transportation Department to shift money from one project to another.

Budget

Idaho has a projected $214 million budget surplus to start off its budget-setting decisions this year. However, many urgent needs have been delayed during the budget crunch of recent years, including 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. A decision on the governor’s $30 million-plus parks initiative was delayed.

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 House committee reversed itself this week and endorsed it, but a Senate committee introduced a new resolution to reverse the House panel’s decision. The school budget approved for next year includes funding for 3 percent raises for all school district employees and an increase in the minimum teacher salary to $30,000.