Mary Takes URA Battle South

Taxpayers have a serious problem right now, because URAs are both rich and powerful. They use public tax increment money for lobbyists to stop any changes in the porous old laws. The vague legal language and loopholes, along with the complexity of the subject, keep most citizens, as well as many lawmakers, from taking the time to understand urban renewal. This reluctance helps ensure the stealth success of this little-known tax impact. But now we’re in a serious economic crunch, and every tax impact must be examined. Our elected officials should take a comprehensive look and rewrite the urban renewal law to protect the rights of the taxpayers. State Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, is bringing forward this year’s only effort to tighten this law. He is offering HB 244 for consideration of the whole House later this week/ Mary Souza , Idaho Statesman. More here .

Question: Forget the obsession by Mary and OpenCDA.com with LCDC for a moment, is there anything about urban renewal agencies in Idaho that you’d like to change?