Legislature

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Stories and content relating to Idaho’s 2012 Legislative session

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February 22, 2012

Some Idaho Lawmakers Want To Capitalize On Skyrocketing Internet Retail Sales

Idaho lawmakers are moving forward with a measure to ensure the state’s 6 percent sales tax applies to all online purchases. It’s called the streamlined sales tax bill. A similar bill failed last year. The Magic Valley Times-News reports it’s not a new tax, but most people aren’t paying it. Idaho law already requires residents […]

February 20, 2012

A Life Unfolds As Idaho Sorts Out Its Budget Priorities

In the wake of spending cuts, the Idaho Legislature is now in the process of determining how the state’s revenue surplus should be spent. It’s a process of sorting out priorities, and the decisions have palpable effects. For one Medicaid recipient, for example, recent budget cuts mean an uncertain future, even if funding is restored. […]

February 17, 2012

Budget Setting Committee Adopts Revenue Numbers, Budget Writing Begins

The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee has agreed to budget from a figure that’s about $33 million less than Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s recommendation. JFAC agreed with its colleagues in the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee to set its revenue estimate below the Governor’s number. Now, lawmakers will set the state spending plan for fiscal […]

February 16, 2012

Idaho’s Payday Lenders Could Face Interest Rate Cap

Idaho lawmakers are considering a bill to cap how much interest payday lenders can charge borrowers. Many payday loan stores charge interest rates of up to 400 percent. House Bill 470 would cap interest rates at 36 percent. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Lee Heider (R-Twin Falls) told the Idaho Press-Tribune, “our society isn’t as well-off right […]

February 8, 2012

Liveblog: What Can Be Done to Stimulate Idaho’s Economy?

February 7, 2012

Lawmakers and Industry Reps to Brainstorm Economic Boosters

Two tax panels will join forces Wednesday to brainstorm ways to stimulate Idaho’s economy. The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee and the House Revenue and Taxation Committee are hosting a joint forum on the subject beginning at 9:00 am. We’ll be liveblogging. Here’s the agenda: Food Producers of Idaho’s Brent Olmstead will talk about […]

February 2, 2012

Idaho Lawmaker Wants to Make it Tougher to Raise Taxes

The Associated Press reports conservative Idaho lawmakers are pushing a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds vote for fee or tax hikes passed by the Legislature. Sen. Steve Vick (R-Dalton Gardens) is a first term Idaho legislator. He previously served in the Montana Legislature for seven years. Vick wants Idaho to join about 16 other […]

Budget Co-Chairman Says Public Hearing is Painful but Worthwhile

Idaho budget writers will spend Friday morning listening to constituents. The Idaho Statesman reports it’s just the second public hearing of its kind in 92 years. In 2011, Joint Finance Appropriations Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Maxine Bell (R-Jerome) and Sen. Dean Cameron (R-Rupert) decided to open Idaho’s budgeting process to the public. Cameron says the idea […]

January 31, 2012

Idaho Democrats Unveil Jobs Package

Democratic lawmakers rolled out their plan to create jobs this morning. It’s dubbed IJOBS 2.0 and is made up of six bills ranging from tax credits to an accountability measure. Here’s the list from Spokesman Review reporter and Eye on Boise blogger Betsy Russell: HB 435, the “Corporate Tax Incentive and Accountability Act,” would require […]

January 25, 2012

Lawmakers Likely to Have Tough Budget Choices Ahead

As we reported yesterday, state lawmakers could have about $33 million less to spend on government services next year. The Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee voted to create the state’s spending plan with a tax revenue estimate lower than the governor’s proposal. This means lawmakers could be faced with choices. Governor Butch Otter laid […]

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