LEGISLATIVE NEWS Week Nine By Wendy Jaquet

LEGISLATIVE NEWS             Week Nine              By Wendy Jaquet

 

Here is a recap for the week:

 

Local option transit: For two days the House Revenue and Taxation Committee listened to compelling reasons why the legislature should authorize/enable local communities to ask their voters if they would increase their sales tax to fund transit and light rail.  Growth and traffic congestion are on a collision course in various corners of our state and threaten our quality of life.  Long commute times and congested roads lower the standard of living for thousands of Idahoans and worsen air quality for all of us. 

 

I supported allowing communities to use voter-approved local option taxes to fund responsible transportation solutions such as light rail and/or increased frequency for commuter transit.  I voted “yes” on the bill with four other democrats and two republicans including the chairman of the committee Dennis Lake.  Representative Leon Smith, Republican, Twin Falls, made the motion to send the bill out of committee and gave an eloquent debate.  He pointed out how a coalition of citizens across the Treasure Valley had worked on this legislation for five years.  The group had looked at 12 different options and had settled on a local option sales tax just for transit, that would require a 66 2/3% vote. This vote could only be considered on a May or November election and would need to be voted on again in 20 years.  Yes, this could have benefitted Blaine County, but it would also benefit other communities.  Having local people fund transit means that other funds could go elsewhere for other needs.  I don’t think transit is a statewide issue and I don’t want to see the state move to fund transit, it’s a local issue.

 

At the root of this debate is the concept that local control is better control.  The concept permeates our county governments and our schools.  All of Idaho’s communities, be they rural or urban, must have the tools to be the architects to determine their own destiny.  It has to do with self-determination.  In that one vote, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee swiped away that vital tool.  It was a vote against our local governments and the people that they represent.  I think the lopsided legislature is not willing to embrace the change which has come to our state and they are not listening to the people that they represent.

 

Real estate sales price disclosure: The bill was printed in the Senate State Affairs committee and is now on the internet to be reviewed over the summer.  It is Senate Bill 1196, this bill replaced Senate Bill 1099.  I hope you will look at it and give me your comments.

 

Voluntary consolidation incentives: SB1067 is a bill that I co sponsored with Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes of Soda Springs.  It passed 70 - 0 in the House.  I hope people will look at these incentives - using them could put more money into the classroom and our kids.  A bill to suggest a transition consolidation board has been approved by the Idaho School Boards Association and I hope to get it introduced next week. 

 

The capitol renovations plan was passed by the House as per the agreement with the Governor and the Republican leadership.  The renovation will solve the structural issues, create more adequate meeting space for our constituents who come to the capitol to testify and meet with us and keep this a working capitol, not a museum.

 

The personal property tax bill, HB245, has been amended.  Democrats tried to amend the bill to fund the amount of revenues lost to local units of government, about $9.4 million dollars, but the Republican amendment survived the house floor debate.  It will shift the repeal of the personal property tax revenues under $50,000 to other sectors paying property tax including homeowners.  The legislature will consider in future years if it wants to further repeal personal property tax.  I am grateful that the original bill was amended as I felt that the fiscal note of $90 million dollars over eight years was still too much. However this will be revisited next year.

 

Congratulations to Allison Shaffer of Carey, who is my page, and was named to the 2006-07 Magic Valley Northside Allstar conference girls basketball team!

 

We could be going home the 17th or the 23rd of this month.  Please keep in touch!
Wjaquet@house.idaho.gov or 1-800-626-0471

 

 

 

Rep. Wendy Jaquet
House of Representatives
House Democratic Leader
Work: (208) 332-1130
Home: (208) 726-3100
Work Fax: (208) 334-5397
Home Fax: (208) 726-0674