Senate passes $35.7 million tax cut bill

The Senate has voted 28-7 along party lines in favor of HB 563, the $35.7 million cut in Idaho’s corporate and top individual income tax rates; just over 17 percent of Idaho tax filers would benefit. “This is a good way to use that money,” Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, said in his closing debate, “to give a little tax relief to the citizens of Idaho, that may not even realize they’re going to get it. But … it has a multiplier effect.”

“It should go to higher education and K-12 education,” said Sen. Diane Bilyeu, D-Pocatello, who voted against the bill. Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, initially voted against the bill, then changed his vote to yes, leaving only the Senate’s seven Democrats voting no.