EOB: Dems Introduce New Checkoff

Two Democrats contend the House and Senate went too far when members voted overwhelmingly to dump a provision that’s allowed Idaho residents since 1976 to chip in a buck of their taxes to their favorite political party. Reps. Phylis King and Elfreda Higgins want people to still be able to use their state tax forms to make a voluntary party contribution, as long as it’s not going to take money from public services. Their bill would let taxpayers give up to $50 in their own money to parties. A measure to eliminate the existing $1 voluntary check-off for parties that came out of Idaho’s general fund has cleared both the House and Senate and awaits Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s signature/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

• Courts could charge all guilty offenders $25 /Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Henderson congratulates courts on surcharge idea /Eye On Boise
• Jaquet suggests 50/50 compromise on Luna plan /Dan Popkey, Idaho Politics
• Ward gets another boost from national Republicans /Dan Popkey, Idaho Politics
• Budget: State saves $15K if Otter re-elected /Eye On Boise
• Gould: We’re doing great in comparison to Arizona /Eye On Boise
• Hammon: Use the lower revenue forecast /Brian Murphy, Idaho Politics

Question: Would you like a checkoff box on your tax forms, so you can donate your own money to the political party of your choice?