Work, family and our children. These are the values embedded in the Idaho Working Families Agenda that House Democrats unveiled this week. We propose a package of tax and budget solutions that deliver benefits to Idahoans who are often overlooked. The agenda has three components: tax credits for working Idaho families, lower property taxes for homeowners and seniors, and targeted …
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The Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus held a virtual news conference Wednesday highlighting the need to “put people over power plays,” emphasizing the urgency to move away from bills that grab more power for the legislature and instead use the limited remaining time in the 2021 Legislative Session to address education, property taxes and infrastructure. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel and …
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On Friday, the House majority leader introduced a bill in the Revenue and Taxation Committee to completely eliminate the property tax that businesses pay on their equipment over 10 years. Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, proposed to replace the revenue lost to local governments with General Fund dollars, but at a fixed level that will not adjust to the future cost …
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The House Minority Caucus unveiled its “Idaho Working Families Agenda,” a comprehensive plan to deliver tax benefits to working families and boost critical education investments to help Idaho children learn basic skills, including reading. House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise, presented the proposal during a virtual news conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with members of the media. Necochea …
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Lawmakers will introduce a bipartisan bill to penalize targeted residential picketing in the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. The legislation is drafted by Reps. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, and Brooke Green, D-Boise, and aims to protect one’s privacy within the home, irrespective of their chosen profession. The pair said targeted picketing applies to someone who demonstrates outside an individual’s residence …
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Our democracy relies on freedom of expression, including protest. It also depends on an open, productive, and civil discourse where everyone can be heard and policy is set based on a rational assessment of available options. Setting policy based on who can act most intimidating is anti-democratic and anti-American. Sadly, the past year has seen a dramatic increase in the …
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Last spring when the coronavirus spread into Idaho communities, no one knew what our schools should do in this unprecedented situation. Yet from that moment on, school leaders did what we always do: monitor and adjust. As we work through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, Idaho’s classrooms and our teachers’ instructional delivery looks remarkably different from last year. But we must remember …
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Despite what some in the Idaho Legislature might think, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. Now is not the time to be making decisions without careful consideration of the possible long-term consequences, but that’s what happens when short-sided legislation is proposed. I think we should use the pandemic to review our policies on handling emergencies, and …
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During the 2020 campaign, my opponent and his party ran on the slogan, “Faith Family Freedom.” Those are great values. They aren’t partisan values – they’re American values. People of all political stripes attend the church of their choice. Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, wants the best for their family and loved ones. And Arlington cemetery is the final …
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It’s no secret property taxes are one of the biggest concerns for many of Idaho’s homeowners. We all want a fair system for collecting the revenue that makes law enforcement, fire response, and other critical services possible. Unfortunately, state policies have shifted the tax load overwhelmingly onto residents and away from commercial properties. New legislation being proposed in the Senate’s …
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