Idaho House Democrats supported a motion to send House Bill 509 to general orders, where legislation can be amended. The motion failed on a 26-41vote.
The bill, which later passed the House, increases the grocery tax credit by $20 per person starting in the 2023 tax year. The motion sought to amend the legislation to instead repeal the grocery tax versus increasing the credit. Democrats have advocated for eliminating the sales tax on groceries throughout the 2022 session, since it would help Idaho’s working families each time they shop.
“We have been saying all along that if the legislature pushed $600 million out the door for corporate and income tax cuts benefiting the wealthy, we would not have dollars available for meaningful tax solutions that benefit working Idahoans. House Bill 509 illustrates this exact result: all the legislature can now do is promise a modest benefit for regular Idahoans two years from now,” Asst. House Democratic Leader Lauren Necochea said.
The proposed increase to the grocery tax credit is modest, and doesn’t fully account for inflation that has occurred since the credit was last updated and the expected inflation that will occur before the bill takes effect, Necochea said. Idahoans wouldn’t receive the benefit until they file taxes in 2024. If the state is going to promise this future benefit to Idahoans, Democrats have stressed the need for a bolder proposal providing meaningful aid.
“The House GOP has an ongoing pattern of providing huge tax breaks for people at the top, and only after their priorities are brought to light, throwing occasional bread crumbs to working Idahoans,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Sally Toone said. “Our people need help. We receive calls and emails from constituents daily asking us to repeal the grocery tax. As lawmakers, we have a duty to listen to the people of Idaho, but the majority party isn’t doing that. House Bill 509 isn’t nearly enough. Our working families deserve real help.”
“We need inflation relief now. At 9%, Idaho is a hotspot for inflation and Idahoans need inflation relief, not $20 two years from now,” Rep. John Gannon said. “We also need to address the homeowners exemption and quit borrowing and spending money. Policies need to change.”