Sen. Johnson says he’ll support the tax-cut bill…

Sen. Jim Rice has moved to send the tax-cut bill to the full Senate with no recommendation; Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill seconded the motion.

Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston, then spoke. “I believe that we’ve accomplished some good things this legislative session and I’ve seen them first hand. … I believe we’ve done some good things with what we were handed. I also believe that there are some obstacles to economic development, and one of them is … a shrinking and a struggling middle class. I’m a member of that. We have decreasing high-paying jobs in Idaho. If I had it my way, Idaho would have put some money back into early-childhood education, that’s something I’m very passionate about, but it’s not part of our budget. .. I think the record shows that when we invest in our children, when we invest in early-childhood education it prepares them for a lifetime of success, for a lifetime of learning. That tells you a little bit about myself.”

He also shared some more personal stories, including having a benign tumor removed from his head, and his son having heart surgery when he was a single parent.  “I’ve been without a home, and I’ve accepted public assistance,” Johnson said. “I look at this issue through a different lens. I look at it as an investment … in the future of Idaho.” He said he favors tax reforms.

“I came to a decision about how I would vote on this last night. … It’s not an easy decision, it’s not a perfect decision, but I’ve made my decision, and I am going to vote in favor of sending this bill to the Senate floor, because I … think we need to hear from all the members of the Senate.” Johnson said Gov. Butch Otter contacted him and asked him to support the bill. “I told him I would vote my conscience … and that’s what I’m doing today.”