Legislature fails in Idaho

Sat., Oct. 25, 2014

The Idaho Republican-controlled Legislature has for many decades failed miserably to adequately fund the schools in Idaho. It’s past time for a change.

Idaho tax laws need to be changed also so that at least 90 percent of local taxes collected for schools (property taxes) are allocated to the school district where they are collected. When the 3 percent sales tax was passed, it was touted as being principally for schools. The sales tax is now 6 percent and it appears the Legislature is using little if any of it for schools.

The Legislature must revise its spending priorities. First priority should be the long-neglected U.S. highway system in Idaho, especially U.S. 95, the main north-south route in Idaho. Second should be the schools in Idaho, which have been woefully underfunded by the Legislature for many decades.

It is definitely time for a change.

Arlie Kellogg

Sandpoint

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