Tax cut debate: ‘A question of priorities’

House Rev & Tax Chairman Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, told David Hensley, Gov. Butch Otter’s chief of staff, “As you know and he knows, I’m a critic of this legislation, simply because in my analysis of where we’re at with the state, we do not have ongoing revenues that provide the funding for an ongoing tax relief. What is your response to that?”

Hensley responded, “First and foremost, the governor’s appreciative of the fact that you had a hearing on this bill. I think in addition to that, we’re aware of your concerns, and I think the governor shares your concern about structural balance in the budget. … That is his goal and we are working towards that. The good news is that there is enough revenue to accommodate tax relief. … The question is one of priorities.”

Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, said, “This bill seems to suggest that we can throw caution to the wind. … Every study I’ve seen says cutting taxes in and of itself does nothing to further economic growth, even though I recognize that’s a strong belief by many in this body. … The only policy that really makes a difference … is investing in higher education. … I certainly don’t think giving money back in the hope that it’ll somehow generate jobs is a very intelligent way to go about it.”