Legislature: Teacher Pay Vs Tax Cuts

Idaho’s dueling legislative chambers remain at odds over competing priorities, with key bills bottled up in committees while behind-the-scenes talks linger. The House wants to cut state income taxes by $35 million. The Senate favors restoring teachers’ salaries. Add to this mix Gov. Butch Otter’s to-do list from his Jan. 9 State of the State address, which included adding $60 million to Idaho’s recession-drained rainy-day accounts. What’s more, there are competing revenue forecasts. Otter’s economists say there will be more money in 2013 than forecast; some lawmakers say his projections rely on short-term reserves to justify tax cuts now, putting future budgets in jeopardy/ John Miller , AP. More here.

Question: Which is more important to you — teacher salaries, income tax cut, or refilling Idaho’s Rainy Day fund — with extra revenue?