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March 15, 2013

Lack Of Consensus Delays Personal Property Tax Vote

It’s not often that reporters write about what didn’t happen. But for close observers of the 2013 session, it’s worth noting what the House Revenue and Taxation Committee did not take up this morning: legislation to repeal or scale back Idaho’s personal property tax After the committee abandoned plans to vote on two existing bills […]

March 14, 2013

Idaho Legislative Committee Votes Unanimously To Introduce Medicaid Expansion Bill

The House Health and Welfare Committee this morning voted unanimously to introduce a pair of bills that would expand Medicaid eligibility in Idaho and eliminate the state’s catastrophic health care fund. The Medicaid expansion is a key component of the federal Affordable Care Act. Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-Iona), who presented the bills, says expanding eligibility […]

March 13, 2013

Bill To Create A State-Based Health Insurance Exchange Passes The Idaho House

After seven hours of debate, Idaho House lawmakers voted 41-29 to pass a bill that would give Idaho control over building and maintaining an online insurance marketplace. One of the final comments during the House debate came from Rep. Lenore Hardy Barrett (R-Custer) who said, “Unless you’ve got something really important to say, let my […]

Committee Delays Personal Property Tax Vote; Business Lobby May Introduce Third Bill

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee this afternoon scrapped plans to weigh in Thursday on a pair of competing bills to repeal or partially repeal Idaho’s business personal property tax. Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI) president Alex LaBeau, who presented the more sweeping of the two bills, confirms that he is at work on […]

Updated: Top Lawmakers Agree There’s No Consensus On Personal Property Tax

UPDATE: The competing personal property tax bills that were introduced last week have both been removed from Thursday’s agenda. Times-News reporter Melissa Davlin reports that the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry will introduce a third personal property tax bill on Friday. Originally, committee chairman Gary Collins, R-Nampa, said he intended to hold a vote […]

March 12, 2013

The Idaho House Could Be In For A Long Debate On The Health Exchange

Could the Idaho House of Representatives be in for a marathon debate tomorrow over the latest state-based health insurance exchange proposal? If what happened during Senate debate on a similar proposal is any indication, then yes. Last month, the Senate passed Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s plan to create an online insurance marketplace, or health insurance […]

Local Leaders Turn Out To Oppose Business Lobby Tax Plan

At the Capitol this morning there was a long public hearing on two competing bills that address Idaho’s business personal property tax. That’s the state’s tax on business equipment and machinery. StateImpact talked through the two proposals and today’s public comment with Boise State Public Radio host Samantha Wright.

March 11, 2013

What You Should Know About The Two Bills To Repeal An Idaho Business Tax

Competing proposals that address Idaho’s business personal property tax get a public hearing tomorrow morning. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee will hear the two bills that were introduced last week. The first bill, which has the backing of the Idaho Association of Counties and other organizations that represent local government, would partially repeal the […]

Idaho Girl Scout Cookie Tax Exemption Clears Its First Hurdle

Girl Scout cookies sold in Idaho are one step closer to being tax-free. The House Revenue and Tax Committee unanimously agreed to send the new tax exemption proposal on for a vote in the full House. Idaho Girl Scouts sell an estimated $2.5 million worth of their famed cookies each year, resulting in $140,000 in […]

March 8, 2013

Introduction Of IACI Personal Property Tax Bill Sets Stage For A Fight

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted this morning to introduce a second personal property tax bill, this one supported by the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI), which represents business interests in the state. In doing so, the committee has set itself up for big decisions about whether and how to address the […]

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